Andy was the best musician who I ever worked with
CITY BANDMATE PAYS TRIBUTE AFTER DEATH OF BASSIST ROURKE AT 59
CITY musician Kav Sandhu has shared a tribute to his late friend and bandmate Andy Rourke.
The bassist for The Smiths died aged 59 after a long illness with pancreatic cancer.
Andy’s death was announced on Friday morning in a statement by his former bandmate Johnny Marr.
He wrote: “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.”
In recent years, Andy recorded four singles alongside Kav – who grew up in Aylestone – as part of their band Blitz Vega, which formed in 2018.
The band released its most recent single, Strong Forever, in November before releasing it as their debut vinyl on Record Store Day, April 2 this year.
Guitarist Kav, who also performed with Happy Mondays, has shared one of the many tributes to Andy, alongside other musicians including former Smiths frontman Steven Morrissey and folk singer Billy Bragg.
Kav wrote on Twitter: “I’m so heartbroken about the loss of my friend and bandmate Andy Rourke.
“No words seem to live up to what I feel at the moment. I’m so sorry to Francesca and all his loved ones. I’m going to miss you so much, Andy.”
Upon releasing their last single together, Kav described Andy as his “brother” and “the best musician he had ever worked with”.
Andy left school when he was 15 and played in several rock bands before teaming up with frontman Morrissey, drummer Mike Joyce and Marr to form The Smiths.
The band had a string of hits in the 1980s with songs such as There Is A Light That Never Goes Out and This Charming Man.
Rourke’s career extended beyond The Smiths, playing alongside The Pretenders and Sinead O’Connor.
In his tribute, Marr reminisced over their years of friendship and praised the late musician’s talent.
He wrote on Instagram: “We maintained our friendship over the years, no matter where we were or what was happening and it is a matter of personal pride as well as sadness that the last time Andy played on stage was with me and my band at Madison Square Garden in September 2022.
“It was a special moment that we shared with my family and his wife and soulmate Francesca.
“Andy will always be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by everyone who knew him, and as a supremely gifted musician by people who love music. Well done Andy. We’ll miss you brother.”
Morrissey has said his former bandmate “will never die as long as his music is heard”.
The former frontman said Rourke “didn’t ever know his own power” in an online tribute.
In a statement, he said: “Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly. When someone dies, out come the usual blandishments… as if their death is there to be used.
“I’m not prepared to do this with Andy. I just hope, wherever Andy has gone, that he’s okay. He will never die as long as his music is heard.
“He didn’t ever know his own power, and nothing that he played had been played by someone else.
“His distinction was so terrific and unconventional and he proved it could be done. He was also very, very funny and very happy, and post-Smiths, he kept a steady identity – never any manufactured moves.
“I suppose, at the end of it all, we hope to feel that we were valued. Andy need not worry about that.”
Bragg’s tribute on Twitter said: “I have great memories of him playing with Johnny Marr and myself on the Red Wedge tour. He was a lovely guy and an amazing bass player.”