Musician Andy Rourke Dies At 56, His Bandmates Pen Poignant Tributes

Johnny Marr, guitarist for English rock band The Smiths, announced the passing of the band's bassist, Andy Rourke, on Friday.

Marr announced Rourke had passed following a "lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer" in his Twitter tribute. The musician was 59.

Tributes to Rourke, also known for his long list of performance credits with several musicians, poured through social media; his Smiths bandmates, including lead singer Morrissey, have also paid tribute.

Marr, 59, also shared a poignant Instagram tribute to their decades-spanning friendship.

Posting a black-and-white photo of Rourke, Marr wrote, "It is with deep sadness 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," Marr concluded.

Rourke, who was a member of Blitz Vega, called Marr his "oldest and dearest friend" in the caption of the duo performing together. Rourke had multiple photos of them together on his grid.

Musician and writer Billy Bragg commented on Marr's Twitter tribute, "Very sorry to hear Andy has passed away at such an early age. I have great memories of him playing with us on the Red Wedge tour. Please pass on my condolences to his family."

A fan wrote, "RIP, despite The Smiths being played near none stop by a neighbor on uni campus and affecting my finals.."

Another commented, "I'm so sorry Johnny. This is so heartbreaking to hear. Andy will live on in the music you made together & always will be remembered for his incredible bass lines that made The Smiths what they were."

Former Smiths lead singer Morrissey called Rourke "A beam of light" in a blog post tribute on his website.

"Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly," the "Istanbul" singer began his tribute. "When someone dies, out come the usual blandishments... as if their death is there to be used," Morrissey continued. "I'm not prepared to do this with Andy. I hope... wherever Andy has gone... that he's okay. He will never die as long as his music is heard. He didn't even know his power; nothing he played had been played by someone else. His distinction was terrific and unconventional as he proved it could be done. He was also hilarious and happy, and post-Smiths, he kept a steady identity- never any manufactured moves. I suppose, at the end of it all, we hope to feel that we were valued. Andy need not worry about that," Morrissey's post concluded.

Marr's tribute details the depths of their friendship as they navigated becoming musicians together in their youth and found their footing in The Smiths.

"I was present at Andy's bass takes on every Smiths session. Sometimes I was there as the producer, and sometimes just his proud mate and cheerleader. Watching him play those dazzling basslines was an absolute privilege and genuinely something to behold. But one time always comes to mind was when I sat next to him at the mixing deck, watching him play his bass on the song 'The Queen Is Dead.' It was so impressive that I said, ' I'll never forget this moment.'

Of their friendship, Marr wrote, "We maintained our friendship over the years, no matter where we were or what was happening, and it is a matter of personal pride as well as sadness that the last time Andy played on stage was with my band and me at Maddison Square Garden in September 2022..."

Marr concluded his tribute by adding his friend will be remembered as a "supremely gifted musician by people who love music."