Andy Rourke, the bassist in seminal British indie rock band The Smiths, has died age 59. The news was announced on Friday by Rourke's former bandmate Johnny Marr, who paid tribute to "a kind and beautiful soul" and confirmed Rourke passed away following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
In his statement, Marr wrote: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.
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." Read Next: T-Pain Channels Moz In The Smiths-Inspired Video For Classixx’s “Whatever I Want” Smiths frontman Morrissey has also paid tribute to his former bandmate, writing, "I just hope … wherever Andy has gone … that he's OK.
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