Rourke, pictured in 2013, played on Smiths classics including This Charming Man and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
By Steven McIntosh
Entertainment reporter
Andy Rourke, the bassist for rock band the Smiths, has died aged 59, the band has announced.
Guitarist Johnny Marr confirmed “with deep sadness” that Rourke died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
In a statement posted on Twitter, Marr said: “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,” he added.
Rourke played on the Smiths’ most famous songs including This Charming Man and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out, as well as solo singles for singer Morrissey after the group broke up.
The bassist performed on all four of The Smiths’ studio albums: 1984’s The Smiths, 1985’s Meat Is Murder, 1986’s The Queen Is Dead and 1987’s Strangeways, Here We Come.
Image source, Getty Images
The Smiths, pictured in 1985, left to right: Johnny Marr, Morrissey, Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke
Suede bassist Mat Osman led the tributes on social media, describing Rour
