Andy Rourke, bassist of The Smiths, has passed away at age 59 of pancreatic cancer.
The announcement was made by the band’s guitarist, Johnny Marr, on his social media platforms. He stated, “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.”
Rourke passed away early on Friday (May 19) at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. His contribution to The Smiths was immeasurable, as he played on all of the band’s most well-known songs, including “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” and “This Charming Man.”
The Smiths, formed in 1982 in Manchester, England, became one of the most influential bands of their time. They produced four albums as a group including The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Murder (1985), The Queen Is Dead (1986), and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987).
Rourke played on each standalone single the band released between 1983 and when the band split in 1987. According to Louder Sound, after the band split, he went on to play with many more musicians including Morrissey, Marr, Sinead O’Connor, Peter Hook, and more.
