Followers are sharing footage of Johnny Marr and his late Smiths bandmate Andy Rourke reuniting on stage final yr, following the information of his loss of life.
Rourke died after “a prolonged sickness with pancreatic most cancers”, confirmed a press release from Marr this morning (Could 19). He was 59 years previous.
Final yr, Rourke made a visitor look at considered one of Marr’s New York Metropolis reveals, becoming a member of Marr on stage at Madison Sq. Backyard when supporting The Killers to play ‘There Is A Mild That By no means Goes Out’ and ‘How Quickly Is Now?’.
See footage from the present under.
We received a mini-Smiths reunion at Madison Sq. Backyard! Johnny Marr simply introduced up Andy Rourke for There Is A Mild That By no means Goes Out@mainlyoasis pic.twitter.com/irPi6lNR5L
— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) October 1, 2022
After the on-stage reunion, the pair then went on to reunite for his or her first new track in 35 years with Blitz Vega, the band comprising Rourke and ex-Completely happy Mondays guitarist Kav Blaggers.
Upon the discharge of the brand new track, Rourke mirrored on reuniting together with his previous bandmate. “We’ve remained buddies, we’ve recognized one another since we have been 13 years previous,” the previous Smiths bassist mentioned. “He’s my oldest and dearest pal and I really feel our friendship will get stronger as time passes.”
Rourke fashioned The Smiths in Manchester with Morrissey, Marr and Mike Joyce again in 1982. He contributed to all 4 of Manchester band’s studio albums: 1984’s ‘The Smiths’, 1985’s ‘Meat Is Homicide’, 1986’s ‘The Queen Is Useless’ and 1987’s ‘Strangeways, Right here We Come’.
In tribute, Morrissey mentioned of Rourke: “I simply hope … wherever Andy has gone … that he’s OK. He won’t ever die so long as his music is heard. He didn’t ever know his personal energy, and nothing that he performed had been performed by another person. His distinction was so terrific and unconventional and he proved it may very well be performed.”
Morrissey added: “He was additionally very, very humorous and really joyful, and post-Smiths, he saved a gradual identification – by no means any manufactured strikes. I suppose, on the finish of all of it, we hope to really feel that we have been valued. Andy needn’t fear about that.”
Expressing his “deep unhappiness” over his passing, Marr added: “Andy shall be remembered as a sort and exquisite soul by those that knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music followers.”
The soloist has since shared an extended message, by which he described Rourke as “a kind of uncommon those that completely nobody doesn’t like”. Marr went on to say that he’d “be remembered as a sort and exquisite soul by everybody who knew him”.
Elsewhere, ex-Smiths drummer Mike Joyce hailed Rourke as “not solely probably the most proficient bass participant I’ve ever had the privilege to play with however the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met”.
He continued: “Andy’s left the constructing, however his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you a lot already. Eternally in my coronary heart mate.”
