According to a statement posted by his bandmate Johnny Marr, The Smiths bassist passed away "after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer." Read his full post below:
"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."
Rourke was born in Manchester on January 17, 1964, and spent his early years playing guitar. He met Marr at school aged 11, and it was him who pushed Rourke towards bass, which he took to straight away.
They formed The Smiths with singer Morrissey and drummer Mike Joyce in 1982. It was through his work with the band that Rourke became known for his melodic bass style.
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
Since the news broke, tributes from the music world have been pouring in, including a touching post from Suede bassist Mat Osman: "Aw man. RIP Andy Rourke. A total one-off - a rare bassist whose sound you could recognise straight away. I remember so clearly playing that Barbarism break over and over, trying to learn the riff, and marvelling at this steely funk driving the track along. (pic - K Cummins)."
Aw man. RIP Andy Rourke. A total one-off - a rare bassist whose sound you could recognise straight away. I remember so clearly playing that Barbarism break over and over, trying to learn the riff, and marvelling at this steely funk driving the track along. (pic - K Cummins) pic.twitter.com/c3iBdsstpC
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