Andrew Michael Rourke, professionally known as Andy Rourke, was an English musician best known as the bassist for the Smiths, a rock band. He was well-known for his melodious bass-playing style.
Rourke joined the Smiths after their first show, having known guitarist Johnny Marr since secondary school, and played on all four of their studio albums. After the band disbanded in 1987, he appeared on lead singer Morrissey’s solo recordings.
Rourke worked with Sinéad O’Connor and the Pretenders in the early 1990s, and he was a member of the supergroup Free Bass and the band D.A.R.K. From 2006 to 2009, he was the organizer of the Versus Cancer performances.
In this article, you will get to know about the death cause of Andy, and also about his personal and professional life. So, keep reading this article till the end.
Who Was Andy Rourke?
Andy Rourke was born on 17 January 1964 in Manchester, Lancashire. His father was Irish and his mother was English; after his mother divorced him and left the family home, he was raised by his father in Ashton-upon-Mersey and then Sharston. When he was seven years old, his parents gave him an acoustic guitar.
At the age of 11, he encountered the young John Maher (later Johnny Marr), with whom he had a musical interest: both were students at St Augustine’s Grammar School in Sharston. They spent their lunch breaks at school jamming and playing guitars.
When Marr and Rourke created a band, he persuaded Rourke (who was still a guitarist at the time) to try out the bass, which he fell in love with and played for the remainder of his career.
Rourke dropped out of school at the age of 15 and worked in a variety of menial jobs while playing guitar and bass in numerous rock bands, as well as in the short-lived funk band Freak Party alongside Marr.
He began using heroin while growing up on the Racecourse Estate in Ashton upon Mersey, a habit that would spiral out of hand as he made more money with the Smiths.
During his time with The Smiths, Rourke contributed to the band’s critically acclaimed albums, including their self-titled debut album “The Smiths” (1984), “Meat Is Murder” (1985), “The Queen Is Dead” (1986), and “Strangeways, Here We Come” (1987).
The Smiths’ music, characterized by Morrissey’s distinctive vocals and Johnny Marr’s innovative guitar work, along with Rourke’s basslines, helped establish the band as one of the most influential British alternative rock acts of the 1980s.
After The Smiths disbanded in 1987, Rourke pursued various musical projects. He formed the band Freebass in the late 2000s with fellow bassists Peter Hook (Joy Division, New Order) and Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream). They released an album titled “It’s a Beautiful Life” in 2010.
Apart from his work as a musician, Rourke has also collaborated with other artists and musicians, lending his bass skills to different projects. He has occasionally attended live performances and recorded with various bands and artists over the years.
What Is The Cause Of Andy Rourke’s Death?
Andy Rourke, the bassist for the Smiths, has died at the age of 59. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” guitarist Johnny Marr posted on social media.
Morrissey sent tribute as well, stating, “He will never die as long as his music is heard. He didn’t even 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.”
Do You Know About Andy Rourke’s Wife?
Andy Rourke’s wife, Francesca, has been there for him in all of his endeavors. However, because Rourke strove to keep his personal life private, little is known about Francesca. Because of the couple’s secret and intimate relationship, Rourke was able to focus on his music.
While it is unknown how Andy Rourke and Francesca met and courted, it is known that they had a committed and long-lasting relationship. They were there for one another through highs and lows, encouraging one another in their endeavors.
Francesca, who remained mostly out of the public eye but was a constant source of love and inspiration for Rourke, enabled him to overcome the obstacles of his music career.
Conclusion
To conclude, Andy Rourke died due to illness.
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