Andy Rourke cause of death

Andy Rourke cause of death – Andy Rourke, The Smiths’ bassist, passed away in May 2023 at the age of 59 following a long fight with pancreatic cancer.

On Friday, May 19, a fellow band member, Johnny Marr, announced Rourke’s death and stated the cause of death.

In a post on social media, Marr wrote:

“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.”

Born on 17 January 1964, Rourke dropped out of school when he was 15 years old. He worked in a variety of menial jobs while also playing guitar and bass in numerous rock bands and the short-lived funk outfit Freak Party with his school friend Johnny Marr.

Afterward, Marr formed the Smiths with Morrissey. Rourke joined the band shortly after its debut performance and stayed for the majority of its lifespan.

He was fired from the band in early 1986 due to heroin addiction, but returned two weeks later, right before the release of The Queen Is Dead.

Rourke contributed to the Smiths’ famous back catalog, which included singles like This Charming Man and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.

He recorded with Sinead O’Connor, the Pretenders, Ian Brown, and, in the group DARK, Cranberries vocalist Dolores O’Riordan. He also played in the supergroup Freebass with two other prominent Manchester bass guitarists, New Order’s Peter Hook, and the Stone Roses’ Mani.