Smiths bassist Andy Rourke dies aged 59

He was a member of one of the leading English rock bands of the 1980s. Smiths bassist Andy Rourke died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 59, Johnny Marr announced on Friday May 19, the ex-training guitarist. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a long illness with pancreatic cancer”he wrote on his Twitter account.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.
Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.
We request privacy at this sad time pic.twitter.com/KNehQxXoFz

— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) May 19, 2023

“Those who knew him will remember Andy as a kind and beautiful soul, fans as an extremely gifted musician,” he added. Originally from Manchester, in the north of England, the group was formed in 1982 and notably distinguished itself with its album The Queen is Deadreleased in 1986.

Plagued by heroin addiction and financial difficulties, Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce sued Johnny Marr and singer Morrissey in a dispute over the distribution of their royalties after the band split up in 1987. An agreement had finally been reached and the friendship between the bassist and the guitarist had survived.

Andy Rourke had also been part of the Freebass supergroup, with two other Mancunian bass players, Gary Mounfield of the Stone Roses and Peter Hook of New Order, reports the BBC. (link in English). The musician has also recorded titles with The Pretenders, Killing Joke or Sinead O’Connor.