Andy Rourke

Andrew Michael Rourke (17 January 1964 – 19 May 2023) was an English musician. He is best known as the bassist of the 1980s indie rock band the Smiths. Many people think Rourke is one of the greatest bassists of his generation. He is known for his melodic and funk inspired way to bass playing.^[2][3]

Andy Rourke
Background information
Birth name	Andrew Michael Rourke
Born	(1964-01-17)17 January 1964 Manchester, England
Died	19 May 2023(2023-05-19) (aged 59) New York City, US
Genres	Alternative rock indie pop
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Bass guitar guitar cello
Labels	24 Hour Service Station Rough Trade
Formerly of	The Smiths Freebass D.A.R.K. Blitz Vega The Pretenders
Spouse(s)	Francesca Mor ​ (m. 2012)​ [1]
Website	Official website

Rourke joined the Smiths after their first gig, He had known their guitarist Johnny Marr since secondary school. Rourke played on all of their albums. After the group broke up in 1987, he played on some of Morrissey's early solo releases. Morrissey had been the lead singer for the Smiths. Rourke recorded with Sinéad O'Connor and the Pretenders in the early 1990s. He was a member of the supergroup Freebass and the band D.A.R.K.