Source: YouTube

Andy Rourke, bassist for the legendary British band The Smiths, has died at the age of 59.

His former bandmate Johnny Marr announced Friday that Rourke had died after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Rourke and Marr joined up with drummer Mike Joyce and singer Stephen Patrick Morrissey to form The Smiths in the early 80’s.  While they lasted just six years, they’re considered one of the most influential British bands of their era.

Marr wrote “it was on those Smiths records that Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player“.

What made The Smiths so influential?  Do you think Morrissey will comment on Rourke’s death?

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