Mike Joyce: Last News

The Smiths‘ Mike Joyce has discussed the band’s final album ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’ on its 35th anniversary.The legendary Manchester quartet’s fourth studio LP came out on September 28, 1987, a few months after the band split up.Speaking to BBC News to celebrate its birthday, Joyce said “it was a great experience recording that album,” adding that he marks it out from the band’s previous records because it is “a story album”.Joyce added: “I think it’s just an unusual-sounding album. There’s great songs on the others, but it just pips it for me, in terms of what we ended up with as an album and the whole thing in its entirety, rather than individual songs.”Remembering the recording process for the album, Joyce said: “A lot of it was written in the studio.

A mural of The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke has been unveiled on the side of a pub in the Northern Quarter.

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has said it is crucial that Salford Lads Club is saved from closing.

The Smiths‘ drummer Mike Joyce has spoken to NME about ending his decades-long feud with Johnny Marr, as well as the recent reunion row and plans for a mural in memory of late bassist Andy Rourke.The pair hadn’t spoken since Joyce sued Marr and Morrissey in 1996 over The Smiths’ royalties. The drummer won the case and was awarded £1million damages.Now, Joyce has told NME he met Marr at a private service in Manchester back in May to mark a year since the death of Andy Rourke from pancreatic cancer.“I’d seen Johnny at Manchester City games and we’d keep it civil, but there’d be no conversation,” said Joyce. “I knew Johnny was going to be at Andy’s service and I thought: ‘This isn’t about me or Johnny, it’s nothing other than Andy’.

A fundraiser to create a mural in memory of The Smiths star Andy Rourke in Greater Manchester has reached its target - meaning plans for it to be unveiled are now in motion.

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has confirmed a permanent mural dedicated to late bassist Andy Rourke will go ahead.It comes after a crowdfunding campaign was set up by Joyce earlier this month to honour the late sticksman’s legacy and impact.Additionally, the campaign was also set up to raise funds for the charity organisation Pancreatic Cancer Action. This is notable as Rourke died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 59 last year.Now, Joyce has confirmed the crowdfunder for the mural, which will depict Rourke performing at Dundee’s Caird Hall in 1985, as captured in an image by tour photographer Nalinee Darmrong, has raised more than its initial £20,000 target.He told BBC Radio Manchester (via BBC News): “He was such a brilliant musician and such a great bloke that I thought a permanent memorial would be apt for the man.”The mural is due to be unveiled in November, which is pancreatic cancer awareness month and donors will receive a photograph print of the mural signed by Joyce and the mural artist.The mural will be created by renowned street artist Akse, who has previously depicted footballer Marcus Rashford in Withington and David Bowie on the side of a pub in Oak Street in Manchester’s Northern QuarterJoyce said he hoped it would raise awareness of “getting an early diagnosis”.Elsewhere, Morrissey fired his management team following Johnny Marr‘s statement refuting several claims regarding The Smiths earlier this week.The former Smiths singer took to his website to announce that he had parted ways with his management, but offered no further details.

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has launched a crowdfunding campaign to create a permanent mural of late bassist Andy Rourke – find out more below.On Sunday (September 15), Joyce took to social media to share that he has launched a campaign on the Crowdfunder platform. The campaign aims to secure a permanent mural of Rourke in Manchester to honour his legacy and impact.Additionally, the campaign will also raise funds for the charity organisation Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Jamie Nicholson had just moved into a four-bed flat on the top floor of Hulme's Charles Barry Crescent. It was a big place for someone living on their own.

A festival dedicated to the 'life and work' of the late The Smith's bassist Andy Rourke is set to take place at a legendary Manchester venue this weekend.

Nothing says summer like a festival.

Smiths drummer Mike Joyce appeared on BBC Breakfast today (May 21) to pay tribute to his late bandmate Andy Rourke.Rourke died after “a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer”, confirmed a statement from bandmate Johnny Marr on Friday (May 19). He was 59 years old.Since then, tributes from across the music industry have poured in, with Joyce himself hailing Rourke’s “perpetual” musical legacy, while Morrissey said of Rourke: “I just hope … wherever Andy has gone … that he’s OK.

Johnny Marr and his late Smiths bandmate Andy Rourke reuniting on stage last year, following the news of his death.Rourke died after “a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer”, confirmed a statement from Marr this morning (May 19). He was 59 years old.Last year, Rourke made a guest appearance at one of Marr’s New York City shows, joining Marr on stage at Madison Square Garden when supporting The Killers to play ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ and ‘How Soon Is Now?’.See footage from the show below.We got a mini-Smiths reunion at Madison Square Garden! Johnny Marr just brought up Andy Rourke for There Is A Light That Never Goes Out@mainlyoasis pic.twitter.com/irPi6lNR5L— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) October 1, 2022After the on-stage reunion, the pair then went on to reunite for their first new song in 35 years with Blitz Vega, the band comprising Rourke and ex-Happy Mondays guitarist Kav Blaggers.Upon the release of the new song, Rourke reflected on reuniting with his old bandmate.

Morrissey has paid tribute to former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke following the news of his death.Rourke died after “a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer”, confirmed a statement from Johnny Marr this morning (May 19). He was 59 years old.Expressing his “deep sadness” over his passing, Marr added: “Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.”The soloist has since shared a longer message, in which he described Rourke as “one of those rare people that absolutely no one doesn’t like”. Marr went on to say that he’d “be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by everyone who knew him”.Elsewhere, ex-Smiths drummer Mike Joyce hailed Rourke as “not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met”.He continued: “Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual.

Andy Rourke, The Smiths bassist on all four of the band’s album, died today of pancreatic cancer in New York City. He was 59.

Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has paid tribute to his ex-bandmate Andy Rourke, following the news of his passing.Rourke died after “a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer”, confirmed a statement from Johnny Marr this morning (May 19). He was 59 years old.Expressing his “deep sadness” over his death, Marr added: “Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.”Rourke formed The Smiths in Manchester with Marr, Morrissey and Joyce back in 1982.Writing on Twitter today, the latter hailed Rourke as “not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met”.Joyce continued: “Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual.

Andy Rourke, bass guitarist of The Smiths, one of the most influential British bands of the 1980s, has died after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer, his former bandmate Johnny Marr said Friday. He was 59.

Twitter.Rourke befriended Marr when he was 11 years old, with the two regularly jamming together in their teenage years before forming The Smiths with frontman Morrisey and drummer Mike Joyce in 1982.The Manchester native was a key band member until their 1987 breakup, before the release of their fourth studio album “Strangeways, Here We Come.”Rourke continued to work with Morrissey on his solo project and performed alongside artists Sinéad O’Connor, The Pretenders, Badly Drawn Boy, and guitarist Aziz Ibrahim, according to CNN.Bassist Mat Osman of Suede praised Rourke’s unique talent as he mourned the rocker.“A total one-off – a rare bassist whose sound you could recognise straight away. I remember so clearly playing that Barbarism break over and over, trying to learn the riff, and marvelling at this steely funk driving the track along,” the rocker tweeted.“I am so saddened to hear this news! Andy was a superb musician and a lovely guy,” longtime Smiths producer Stephen Street tweeted.“I first met Andy aged 17 @simonWolstencr1 party.

Naman Ramachandran Andy Rourke, bassist with influential British rock band The Smiths, has died after a long illness due to pancreatic cancer. He was 59. The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr posted on Twitter on Friday: “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.” 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 pic.twitter.com/KNehQxXoFz The Smiths were formed in Manchester in 1982 by singer Morrissey, Marr, Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. Morrissey and Marr were the band’s songwriters. The band signed with Rough Trade Records in 1983 and their first album, “The Smiths,” was released in 1984. Hit albums include” Meat Is Murder” (1985), “The Queen Is Dead” (1986) and “Strangeways, Here We Come” (1987).

Andy Rourke, the bassist for The Smiths, has died aged 59, it's been confirmed. 

Bassist Andy Rourke has died at the age of 59. Andy was one quarter of the hit band The Smiths, which were formed in Manchester in the 80s. He was in the band alongside highly-acclaimed musicians Morrisey, Johnny Marr and Mike Joyce.

'Serving the community since 1903' reads a proud proclamation on its website. Now Salford Lads Club, a jewel in Greater Manchester's cultural crown and a vital asset for the city's youth, has secured much-needed funding to continue doing just that.