Andy Rourke death: The Smiths bassist dies aged 59 as Johnny Marr pays tribute

The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke has died at the age of 59 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

His former bandmate Johnny Marr announced the tragic news this morning on Twitter, describing Rourke as an “extremely gifted musician.”

He continued, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a long illness with pancreatic cancer.

Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as an exceptionally gifted musician by music fans.

“We ask for privacy at this sad time.”

His former bandmate Johnny Marr announced the tragic news on Twitter, describing Rourke as an “extremely gifted musician”

From left to right: Marr, Morrissey, Mike Joyce and Rourke before their first Detroit show on the 1985 Meat Is Murder Tour

Suede guitarist Mat Osman, brother of Pointless presenter Richard, today paid tribute to a ‘total one off’.

He tweeted, “Aw man. RIP Andy Rourke. A total uniqueness – a rare bass player whose sound you could immediately recognize.

“I remember so clearly playing that Barbarism break over and over, trying to learn the riff and marveling at this steely funk that propelled the song.”

Born on January 17, 1964, to an English mother and an Irish father, Rourke showed a passion for music from an early age.

He learned guitar when he was seven years old and met Marr at age 11, with the pair forming a band and jamming together on their guitars in the music room at their school.

After leaving school at the age of 15, Rourke formed The Smiths in Manchester with Marr, Morrissey and drummer Mike Joyce in 1982.

The group became the seminal Manchester act of the 1980s, releasing four albums between 1982 and 1987 before a royalty dispute over their now cavernous repertoire spelled the end of the quartet.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow