19 Facts About Andy Rourke

Andrew Michael Rourke was an English musician best known as the bassist of the 1980s indie rock band the Smiths.

Andy Rourke joined the Smiths after their first gig, having known guitarist Johnny Marr since secondary school, and played on their entire discography.

Andy Rourke organised the Versus Cancer concerts from 2006 to 2009.

Andy Rourke was born in Manchester, Lancashire, in 1964, and grew up on the Racecourse Estate in Ashton upon Mersey.

Andy Rourke was raised by his father in Ashton-upon-Mersey, and later Sharston, after his mother separated from him and left the family home.

Andy Rourke received an acoustic guitar from his parents when he was seven years old.

When Marr and Andy Rourke formed a band, Andy Rourke switched to bass, which he fell in love with and continued to play for the rest of his career.

Andy Rourke left school when he was 15 and passed through a series of menial jobs, playing guitar and bass in various rock bands, as well as in the short-lived funk band Freak Party, with Marr.

Andy Rourke joined the band after its first gig in 1982, when Marr fired original bass player Dale Hibbert, and remained through the rest of its existence.

Andy Rourke was praised for rockabilly-inspired basslines on the tracks "Rusholme Ruffians" and "Nowhere Fast".

Andy Rourke appears on her second studio album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got.

Andy Rourke played bass guitar for Ian Brown, both on tour and on Brown's fifth solo studio album, The World Is Yours.

Andy Rourke formed Freebass with bassists Mani and Peter Hook in 2007 and remained active in the group until August 2010.

In 2016, Andy Rourke appeared on the cover of Bass Guitar.

Andy Rourke released a statement, saying that he had never agreed to take part in the event; Joyce and Gannon subsequently withdrew and the events were cancelled.

Andy Rourke moved to New York City in early 2009, where he remained until his death.

Andy Rourke organised further concerts in the three following years.

Andy Rourke's distinction was so terrific and unconventional and he proved it could be done.

On 21 November 2024, a mural depicting Andy Rourke was unveiled at The Wheatsheaf pub in Manchester's Northern Quarter.