Johnny Marr has paid an emotional tribute to his 'best friend' and The Smiths bandmate who 'reinvented' bass playing, Andy Rourke, who has died aged 59.
Marr announced the news this morning that Rourke had died following a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. Announcing the news via Twitter, he said: "Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans."
Tributes have since flooded in for the pioneering The Smiths bass player from across the world of music. Rourke played with The Smiths as they acted as trailblazers for the Manchester indie scene between 1982 to 1987, before playing with frontman Morrissey 's solo work after the group disbanded.
READ MORE: The Smiths star dies aged 59 as tributes pour in
Marr has since shared a heartbreaking tribute on his Instagram page to his 'best friend', along with pictures of the pair from their south Manchester high school days to recent meetings of the iconic musicians. Marr described it as a 'matter of personal pride' but also of 'sadness' that Rourke's last time on the stage performing was with Marr's band in New York last year.
Marr said: "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 Madison 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."
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