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Catherine Shuttleworth
May 19, 2023
The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke dies aged 59
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Andy Rourke, best known for being the bassist of British band The Smiths, has passed away aged 59, from pancreatic cancer.
The passing was announced this morning from former band member Johnny Marr.
Marr, reknowned as one of the best guitarists in music, wrote in a tweet: "Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans."
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Many have shared their respects and love of Rourke.
John, who has been a fan of The Smiths since the beginning of the band’s career, shared how ‘awful’ and ‘tragic’ the passing of the bassist was. Others shared the first time they discovered The Smiths and Rourke’s incredible talent.
\u201cRIP Andy Rourke\n\nRemember all these years ago, in 86, when Lee Faulkner (wherever you are today : Thank-you!) gave me a cassette tape : Meat is murder by the Smiths, a revelation for this 11 yo country bumpkin\n\nhttps://t.co/cs75aldnSX\u201d— Jose Morin (@Jose Morin) 1684493028
But it’s not just those who grew up listening and attending concerts of The Smiths that are devastated.
Rourke’s passing has beautifully highlighted how, despite the band breaking up in 1987, The Smiths continues to be loved by all ages. The use of The Smiths’ music in pop culture, from Ferris Buller’s Day Off to (500) Days of Summer means the band is perpetually being discovered by younger audiences. As well as those who knew of the band from growing up listening to their parent’s music, as some shared.
Teenagers took to TikTok to mourn the loss of Rourke in the same way that fans in their 50s and 60s were. With some saying how they found out at school with their classmates, who were all shocked and saddened by the passing.
@mollieluvscats rest in peace, thank you for your wonderful music, you were an incredible inspiration
Those who knew and worked with Rourke also shared their memories and paid tributes to the bassist. New Order paid tribute to ‘one of the founder members of a great Manchester band.’ Billy Bragg also shared on Twitter that he has ‘great memories of him playing with Johnny Marr and myself on the Red Wedge tour.’
\u201cWe are all saddened to hear of Andy\u2019s passing. One of the\u00a0founder members of a great Manchester band, The Smiths, who had carved a new life out for himself in New York. We all feel for his friends, family and former band members.\u201d— New Order (@New Order) 1684491205
\u201cVery sorry to hear that Smiths bassist Andy Rourke has passed away. I have great memories of him playing with Johnny Marr and myself on the Red Wedge tour. He was a lovely guy and an amazing bass player. My condolences to his family and friends.\u201d— Billy Bragg (@Billy Bragg) 1684485624
Mike Joyce, The Smiths’ drummer, also paid his respects. He wrote ‘not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met.” He added, “his musical legacy is perpetual.”
\u201cNot only the most talented bass player I've ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I've ever met. Andy's left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate.\u201d— Mike Joyce (@Mike Joyce) 1684484941
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