The Smiths Bassist Andy Rourke Has Died

[{"selector":"#anim-2a198581-d298-46fc-b4bf-82d176eed8ed [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9412ee91-c8ba-4ef4-9648-3fd774b83739","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fa888be-10f9-4447-a7b3-6069df60c6d5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 186.70036%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Andy Rourke, the influential bassist of indie rock band The Smiths, has passed away at the age of 59.

[{"selector":"#anim-4e550920-d637-4c36-92d0-fa6dd88379b7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-46f8230d-615a-43b2-ac91-bb80ff7993d3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-410258b8-1b3d-4a95-956e-34f72e63a1fa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The sad news of Rourke's death was announced by Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr via Instagram.

[{"selector":"#anim-bb0b94b6-9ad6-4b2c-ae2c-a07b46e73b7b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e054f1f9-4009-4e4b-a825-ad05cf99d94e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ca9c6966-c63b-48f6-adf4-d53537548fa5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Rourke had been battling pancreatic cancer, according to Marr's announcement.

[{"selector":"#anim-40981ccc-65b1-48d2-a8d8-8a9003617272 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f251ad45-05b1-41a1-b330-d0cc5fa31923","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cd2b62d-8fb2-43ad-a864-1c13d2aa34bd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Marr remembered Rourke as a kind and beautiful soul loved by everyone who knew him and a supremely gifted musician.

[{"selector":"#anim-bdcea9ab-06c5-4bbc-944f-6d0ef7d402af [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f456f891-6d6d-48cc-9f16-b06a6f4b425e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bc9b8ad6-627f-47a9-8b6d-9f4b14657943","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Rourke's bass playing in The Smiths' recordings in the 1980s redefined the role of a bass guitarist.

[{"selector":"#anim-5e3c1233-58f4-4e92-b03b-fd45fac91684 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4f4e07d-b390-4165-901b-1693ffb106f1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9a578fc8-4467-4a03-b5db-4e75fff0141b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram His bass lines were melodic and propelled the band's music, complementing Marr's guitars and Morrissey's vocals.

[{"selector":"#anim-c48853a9-5406-4071-8811-92e048e6ef6f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64cfae73-3ad8-411f-8948-dc95a1fd750c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b0dff554-6ef9-4b23-8c28-b9e00d7c8157","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Rourke and Marr had been best friends since their school days in 1975 and played together in various bands before forming The Smiths.

[{"selector":"#anim-b673eac9-89bb-4a6a-a095-89dae9383f9b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2a8dfb83-0e3c-46c8-b0b8-fbb15385f1e4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a34e6267-404b-4683-b7d8-91c13982d166","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The two spent their time studying music, having fun, and honing their skills as musicians.

[{"selector":"#anim-5332c1af-8c6c-4e91-b2f8-58787b4fef44 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5742f705-9bc0-459b-ab83-23b9f25953f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7cad51c3-bb87-405a-8635-6b44e5151e00","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Marr expressed that it was an absolute privilege to watch Rourke play bass.

[{"selector":"#anim-d7e0ca70-4c1a-42a1-82c4-b1a9f52e2119 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-543f7a3c-016d-42bd-983f-f9cb4c24eabf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9f98d15e-0141-4615-bcfd-491c59c1f078","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Rourke's contributions to The Smiths' classic songs, such as "This Charming Man" and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out," showcased his melodic style.

[{"selector":"#anim-cf171c83-a850-4362-8f0d-6a882e48bb9e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b2417440-0167-48d0-96ed-593df0126a39","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97449e3c-dab4-4938-9142-faf68a88cabc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram After The Smiths disbanded, Rourke continued to collaborate with Morrissey on his solo projects.

[{"selector":"#anim-abd5120d-a76f-4b4a-a2b6-a59ddec5c419 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8354dab6-53e1-4fe1-abc3-d3b7b2045be8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cbb6a810-301c-4ae4-9920-a22bac027cd3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram He also played in the supergroup Freebass alongside Peter Hook and Mani, and worked with artists like Sinéad O'Connor and the Pretenders.

[{"selector":"#anim-f4d56a78-8059-4760-92f6-11f8bc5574fa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cb84c231-e113-421c-ba41-dd9e4facb817","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e727a2a-6fdd-40ae-8d2a-f676c231c18a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Rourke's musical journey began when he joined The Smiths as a replacement for their original bassist.

[{"selector":"#anim-a735b60b-3be2-4975-ac6f-b43305da89e7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84dc58f6-22be-4822-bc13-dc6e5cc10a16","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a870484a-64d9-4752-a9f5-93ef1b5af75c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.53746%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The Smiths' sound, characterized by Morrissey's vocals, Marr's guitar, and Rourke's technically brilliant bass playing, became iconic in the British indie music scene of the 1980s.

[{"selector":"#anim-276a1409-d09c-4802-9559-17ffe689c4cc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da75dd86-c381-457d-8ad0-68943d60c019","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a9fa121-39bc-4c25-9167-fc4b37290499","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Rourke faced personal struggles with heroin addiction and briefly left the band in 1986.

[{"selector":"#anim-a695098d-07a5-47e4-9197-4d470f560b54 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cf2aa0f2-c48b-4ba0-bdfa-cb8dc8d37605","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-78816291-8438-4318-bd9b-3f2f9c5d392e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Marr's departure in 1987 marked a traumatic time for the band, and Rourke expressed the difficulty in coping with the situation.

[{"selector":"#anim-9ed7f646-b739-44a8-b20c-e430bbf396f1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60c2b7b8-ab41-48a2-9c72-2503b7f3d45e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8e7c49a-aaae-4a8d-8992-c53cd6d7e1f3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 221.74939%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Rourke participated in recording solo songs for Morrissey, leading to tensions within the band.

[{"selector":"#anim-bf6157fc-0e6e-48e9-a5f4-f132f74b61d1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe5da026-607c-4b18-a3c8-70459f855966","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-874a90a2-eb37-40f5-bc62-b6ba11564e44","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Legal disputes over royalties followed, with Rourke settling quickly while drummer Mike Joyce continued the legal battle.

[{"selector":"#anim-1d88c6fa-f469-4396-b13d-a10aaddbbbbc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3213fbf1-0604-4c0f-ad84-9b18ac246ff2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1aa89a2b-0332-49a7-b413-2c5046aea29c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Rourke's collaborations extended beyond The Smiths, including work with Badly Drawn Boy and the band Blitz Vega.