Andy Rourke, The Smiths bassist on all 4 of the band’s album, died at the moment of pancreatic most cancers in New York Metropolis. He was 59.

Tributes from the music world poured in following the announcement of Rourke’s loss of life, which was made by his pal and Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr this morning.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” tweeted Marr. “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.”

Marr adopted up with a picture of himself and Rourke from The Smiths’ days.

The Smiths in 1985, from left: Johnny Marr, Morrissey, Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke

Getty Photographs

Rourke was born on January 17, 1964, in Manchester, England, changing into pals with Marr at 11. When Marr and Morrissey aka Steven Morrissey fashioned The Smiths, he joined quickly after.

The Smiths had been one of the profitable bands of the Eighties, and he performed with them all through on singles similar to “How Soon Is Now?” “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and “Panic.”

After The Smiths broke up following a messy authorized battle, Rourke performed with the likes of Sinéad O’Connor, Pretenders, Badly Drawn Boy and the Stone Roses’ Ian Brown. He most just lately launched an album with The Cranberries’ singer Dolores O’Riordan below the bandname D.A.R.Okay. in 2016.

Tributes got here in from the likes of Billy Bragg, Brown and The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce, and might be seen under.