RIP Andy Rourke

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/uqunPzgFdy

— Andy Rourke (@AndyRourkeMusic) May 19, 2023

Andy Rourke, the bass player for the Smiths in the 1980s who later relocated to the East Village, died today of pancreatic cancer. He was 59. 

His Smiths bandmate Johnny Marr (the two met at age 11) had this to say about his longtime friend via Instagram: 

"Throughout our teens, we played in various bands around south Manchester before making our reputations with The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, and it was on those Smiths records that Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player." 

There were many other tributes on social media...

Godspeed Andy Rourke, and thank you for the music. pic.twitter.com/MToC9zjHUp

— Rough Trade Records (@RoughTradeRecs) May 19, 2023

Devastated to hear of the death of Andy Rourke of The Smiths. Don’t know what to say. Here he is playing my favourite bassline:pic.twitter.com/KEh4ygobtx

— Florence of Northumbria (@FlorenceHRScott) May 19, 2023

Very 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. pic.twitter.com/r9moJTxgiG

— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) May 19, 2023

Such sad sad news about Andy Rourke - He was an inspirational musician with a style that made so many of us pick up a bass guitar; and the driving force for Manchester Versus Cancer. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew him. Travel well x pic.twitter.com/6hrrfl9bhx

— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) May 19, 2023

Sad to wake up+learn the news about the passing of legendary Andy Rourke from pancreatic cancer. I saw him with the Smiths live 4 times-also with Blitz Vega. He recently sent me a message and I was completely unaware that he had been sick.A great bass player, DJ, and a kind man. pic.twitter.com/xZPeknGSPj

— Matt Pinfield (@mattpinfield) May 19, 2023

Rourke relocated from Manchester to the East Village in 2009, settling in an apartment on 13th Street. He later hosted a popular show on East Village Radio. 

Smiths singer Morrissey paid tribute to Rourke: "He will never die as long as his music is heard. He didn't ever know his own power and nothing that he played had been played by someone else." 

To the glory days...