THE Smiths bassist Andy Rourke has died aged 59 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
His former bandmate Johnny Marr announced the tragic news on Twitter this morning.
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He described Andy, from Manchester, as a “supremely gifted musician”.
The tweet said: “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.”
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Suede bassist Mat Osman – brother of TV presenter Richard – also paid tribute to a “total one off”.
He wrote on twitter: “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.”
Rourke left school at 15 and later formed The Smiths with singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr and drummer Mike Joyce in 1982.
He became known for his ability to inject melodic bass lines which formed the backbone to some of The Smiths’ most iconic hits like This Charming Man and How Soon Is Now?
Rourke was briefly sacked for two weeks in 1986 for his heroin addiction but re-joined to release The Queen Is Dead album the same year.
He left The Smiths in 1987 when the band broke up.
In a career spanning over 40 years, Rourke performed with the likes of Sinead O’Connor and Ian Brown from The Stone Roses.
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