RIP Andy Rourke

[Turkish]

Smiths bassist. Only 59. Them and the Jam were my earliest memories of music 

 

there is a light that never goes out……

Edited 19 May, 2023 by Turkish

[whelk]

Very sad. Incredible band. Shame Morrissey turned into such a twat but the music doesn’t diminish.  

[CB Fry]

7 hours ago, whelk said:

Very sad. Incredible band. Shame Morrissey turned into such a twat but the music doesn’t diminish.  

He managed to be quite nice in his statement yesterday.

Morrissey and Marr were the genius combination but Rourke's (and Joyce's) contribution was huge, just a brilliant band.

.....Rourke was 23 when the Smiths split up. That's what blew my mind yesterday.

Edited 20 May, 2023 by CB Fry

[Manuel]

Yeah, understandably Marr tended to overshadow Rourke and got all the plaudits. 

I was a bit young for The Smiths when they first arrived on the scene but discovered them in my late teens, thanks to the brother of a friend who played them relentlessly when we were round his house.  Morrissey's lyrics were like nothing else I'd heard up to then and Marr's melodies were addictive.  Rourke's bass playing was up there with anyone else at the time.  I always wondered if Marr had any control over the basslines or if it was all left to Rourke to do as he pleased.  

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now stands out for the melodic bass chords.  Also, for me, Reel Around the Fountain - so simple but perfect for the melody.   

[Golactico]

A lot of bass players offer little by way of creativity and just do a job that any other competent player could do, but listen to something like Cemetery Gates and the bass is pretty much the lead instrument.