19th May 2023

With real sadness, and shock, I write this blog as a tribute to Andy Rourke, former bass player with The Smiths.

I first saw the band around the time of their second single ‘This Charming Man’, playing in a ballroom, then saw them at larger venues, festivals and arenas. They were a band that changed lives. There had been nothing quite like them, before or since.

Morrissey and Marr dominated the group, in terms of media coverage, but all musicians could tell how much Andy contributed; he was such an under-rated bassist.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” guitarist Johnny Marr wrote on Twitter.

Goodbye, Andy … lots of love xxx

Andy Rourke 17th January 1964 – 19th May 2023