Andy Rourke

Andy Rourke
Andy Rourke
	Rourke in 2005
Background information
Birth name	Andrew Michael Rourke
Born	17 January 1964; Manchester, England
Died	19 May 2023 (aged 59); New York City, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock; indie pop;
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Bass guitar; guitar; cello;
Labels	24 Hour Service Station; Rough Trade;
Formerly of	Freak Party; The Smiths; Freebass; D.A.R.K.; Blitz Vega; The Pretenders;
Spouse(s)	Francesca Mor (m. 2012)
Website	Official website

Andrew Michael Rourke (17 January 1964 – 19 May 2023) was an English musician best known as the bassist of the 1980s indie rock band the Smiths. Regarded as one of the greatest bassists of his generation, he was known for his melodic and funk inspired approach to bass playing.

Rourke joined the Smiths after their first gig, having known guitarist Johnny Marr since secondary school, and played on their entire discography. After the group broke up in 1987, he performed on some of lead vocalist Morrissey's early solo releases. Rourke recorded with Sinéad O'Connor and the Pretenders in the early 1990s, and was a member of the supergroup Freebass and the band D.A.R.K., and later Blitz Vega with Kav Sandhu. He organised the Versus Cancer concerts from 2006 to 2009.

Rourke died of pancreatic cancer on 19 May 2023, aged 59.

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