Andy Rourke was 59.
The death of Andy Rourke has been announced this morning by his Smiths bandmate Johnny Marr.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” Marr wrote on social media.
“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.”
Rourke joined his childhood friend Johnny Marr in The Smiths in time for the band’s rapid rise to success after forming in 1982, playing an unmistakable part in the storied five years which would follow.
Among the first to pay tribute was their influential engineer/producer Stephen Street, who said:
“I am so saddened to hear this news! Andy was a superb musician and a lovely guy. I haven’t been able to read any other news about details yet but I send my deepest condolences and thoughts to his friends and family.”