Bass player from a lovely little band we had when I was a bairn, called the Smiths. An awesomely talented & genuinely nice fella.. #fck.you.cancer..
From John’s Facebook page.. Andy Rourke RIP. Andy and I met as schoolboys in 1975. We were best friends, going everywhere together. When we were fifteen I moved into his house with him and his three brothers and I soon came to realise that my mate was one of those rare people that absolutely no one doesn’t like. Andy and I spent all our time studying music, having fun, and working on becoming the best musicians we could possibly be. Back then Andy was a guitar player and a good one at that, but it was when he picked up the bass that he would find his true calling and his singular talent would flourish. Throughout our teens we played in various bands around South Manchester before making our reputations with The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, and it was on those Smiths records that Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player. I was present at every one of Andy’s bass takes on every Smiths session. Sometimes I was there as the producer and sometimes just as his proud mate and cheerleader. Watching him play those dazzling baselines was an absolute privilege and genuinely something to behold. But one time which always comes to mind was when I sat next to him at the mixing desk watching him play his bass on the song The Queen Is Dead. It was so impressive that I said to myself ‘I’ll never forget this moment.’ 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 me and my band at Maddison Square Garden in September 2022. It was a special moment that we shared with my family and his wife and soul mate Francesca. Andy will always be remembered, as a kind and beautiful soul by everyone who knew him, and as a supremely gifted musician by people who love music. Well done Andy. We’ll miss you brother. Johnny x
The Smiths and then Morrissey knocked my socks off as an impressionable youth, despite the year being circa 2003. RIP Andy, a fine bassist.
I was fortunate to have them in the moment as a schoolboy. But it’s completely timeless & Andy’s baselines we’re central to the brilliant records. The way he holds back here..? That’s true musicianship.
Only 59. I do find it weird seeing 80s pop stars who are only a few years (in this case 6) older than me, because they were a rock star whilst I was still a child, so they can’t possibly be close to my age.
Only 5 older than me. I think about it a lot, especially given the body count in my cursed music family..
I remember some git at the NME suggesting they running out of ideas? The following week, this was in the shops..
I think there’ll be a few people listening to those great records again today, with slightly bigger ears. Most won’t need reminding what a wonderful musician, this man truly was. Except Morrissey, of course..
Not the case Mr C.. Lovely, unpretentious words from Morrissey, whose main gripe is with the deplorable Joyce: "Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly. When someone dies, out come the usual blandishments … as if their death is there to be used. I'm not prepared to do this with Andy. I just hope … wherever Andy has gone … that he's OK. He will never die as long as his music is heard. He didn't ever know his own power, and nothing that he played had been played by someone else. His distinction was so terrific and unconventional and he proved it could be done. He was also very, very funny and very 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.
I’m genuinely happy to read that mate, thanks.. The famous line was that Andy & Mike were as replaceable as lawn mower parts. I suppose we’ve all said daft stuff. Especially in bands..
Yeah. 4 /5 members of the Smiths, if you include Graig Gannon. The sum of the parts, as most successful bands.
Seen this brother? I suspect it’s a tiny bit’staged’? I’d be the be last to know. Being a **** wit a guitar strapped on. It’s
