The musician Andy Rourke, bassist for British alternative rock group The Smithsha deceased at age 59 after a “long illness due to pancreatic cancer”, as announced this Friday by his former groupmate, guitarist Johnny Marr.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a long illness from pancreatic cancer,” Marr said on his official Twitter account.
In his tweet, the artist added that “Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those of us who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music aficionados.”
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
“We request privacy in these sad moments”, added the artist.
Related news
Rourke played on some of the classics from The Smiths’ catalogue, as in iconic songs by Manchester band like This Charming Man or There is a Light That Never Goes Out, as well as in solo songs performed by the controversial leader of the group, Morrisseyafter the group disbanded.
He was also part of the band Freebass along with other great musicians such as Peter Hook (from New Order) and Mani (from Stone Roses) and recorded with Sinead O’Connor, the Pretenders, Ian Brown and in the group DARK, together with the vocalist of the Cranberries Dolores O’Riordan.