Well-known Bass Guitarist Andy Rourke Useless At 59
Andy Rourke, bass guitarist for British band “The Smiths,” died on the age of 59 after a prolonged battle with pancreatic most cancers.
Rourke’s former bandmate and shut pal Johnny Marr confirmed his passing in an Instagram on Friday. “Andy and I met as schoolboys in 1975. We had been greatest buddies, going in all places collectively,” he mentioned in his tribute. “Once we had been fifteen I moved into his home with him and his three brothers and I quickly got here to appreciate that my mate was a type of uncommon those who completely nobody doesn’t like,” he mentioned.
Marr concluded his tribute, writing, “Andy will at all times be remembered, as a form and exquisite soul by everybody who knew him, and as a supremely gifted musician by individuals who love music.”
Marr described a few of his earlier recollections of Rourke.
“Andy and I spent all our time finding out music, having enjoyable, and dealing on changing into one of the best musicians we may presumably be.”
“Again then Andy was a guitar participant and a superb one at that, however it was when he picked up the bass that he would discover his true calling and his singular expertise would flourish,” he mentioned.
Marr mentioned that when Rourke performed with The Smiths, he really “reinvented what it [was] to be a bass guitar participant.”
“I used to be current at each certainly one of Andy’s bass takes on each Smiths session. Generally I used to be there because the producer and typically simply as his proud mate and cheerleader. Watching him play these dazzling baselines was an absolute privilege and genuinely one thing to behold,” Marr wrote.
Rourke touched many followers along with his unbelievable skills, and has left a legacy within the music business. Marr touched on the importance of Rourke’s skills by sharing a reminiscence of an inspirational second that he holds close to.
“Once I sat subsequent to him on the mixing desk watching him play his bass on the tune The Queen Is Useless. It was so spectacular that I mentioned to myself ‘I’ll always remember this second,” he wrote.
Marr then mentioned a last farewell to his pal.
“We maintained our friendship through the years, regardless of the place we had been or what was taking place and it’s a matter of private pleasure in addition to unhappiness that the final time Andy performed on stage was with me and my band at Madison Sq. Backyard in September 2022,”
A few of his hottest songs embody, “Heaven Is aware of I’m Depressing Now” and “Girlfriend In A Coma.” (RELATED: Final Surviving Founding Member Of Lynyrd Skynyrd Useless At 71)
After shifting on from The Smiths, Rourke collaborated with different musicians together with Sinéad O’Connor, The Pretenders, Ian Brown and Badly Drawn Boy.
Marr signed off his tribute message with a heartfelt closing line.
“Properly completed Andy. We’ll miss you brother,” he wrote.
