Former Smiths Bassist Andy Rourke Passes Away at 59

Andy Rourke, the bassist for The Smiths, has died at the age of 59 after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. Rourke played on the band's most famous songs, including This Charming Man and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. He also performed on all four of The Smiths' studio albums. Rourke's bandmate, drummer Mike Joyce, described him as "the most talented bass player I've ever had the privilege to play with". Rourke was also part of a supergroup called Freebass with two other Mancunian bass players, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, from the Stone Roses, and Peter Hook, from New Order.