Musician Andy Rourke, bassist for the British band The Smiths, has died at the age of 59 from pancreatic cancer, the group’s former guitarist Johnny Marr announced today.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Andy Rourke after a long illness from pancreatic cancer,” Marr said on his official Twitter account.
“For all those who knew him, music lovers will remember Andy as a beautiful, kind soul and a very talented musician,” adds Johnny Marr’s message.
“We ask for privacy in this moment of sadness,” says the former guitarist of the band.
The Smiths appeared in 1982 in the city of Manchester and included Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums).
The Smiths’ first album (“The Smiths”) was released in 1984 and the band broke up in 1987.
Rourke participated in the classic songs of the Manchester group such as “This Charming Man” or “There is a Light Thar Never Goes Out” as well as participating in songs performed solo by former Smiths vocalist, Steven Morrissey.
Andy Rourke also joined the band Freebass with musicians such as Peter Hook (Joy Division and New Order) and Many (Stone Roses) having also recorded with Sinead O’Conner, Pretenders, Ian Brown and with the group DARK, with the vocalist of The Blueberries, Dolores O’Riordan.
Source: TSF
