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That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore

That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore by The Smiths Park the car at the side of the road You should know Time's tide will smother you And I will too When you laugh about people who feel so very lonely Their only desire is to die Well, I'm afraid It doesn't make me smile I wish I could laugh But that joke isn't funny anymore It's too close to home And it's too near the bone It's too close to home And it's too near the bone More than you'll ever know ... It was dark as I drove the point home And on cold leather seats Well, it suddenly struck me I just might die with a smile on my Face after all I've seen this happen in other people's lives And now it's happening in mine Read More The Smiths Sad news earlier today as the world found out that Andy Rourke, former bassist for The Smiths, passed away at age 59 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York. .…

With the recent announcement that Liam and Noel have reunited for an Oasis reunion, Morrissey decided to release this statement:

WAR IS OLD, ART IS YOUNG
August 29, 2024

In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as 'The Smiths' throughout 2025.
Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.

Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November.
Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.

Now, anyone who has followed Morrissey and Johnny Marr over the years, as I have, I can tell you that without a doubt that this is just Morrissey’s twisted sense of humor. This press release is a joke, particularly if you read the last two sentences, which I’ll sum up as “Morrissey has a successful sold out tour and Marr is playing second fiddle to New Order.”

The real meaning behind the statement is that he’s blaming Marr as the one who is holding up The Smiths reunion. I don’t know why Moz would go through such lengths to take a jab at both Oasis and Marr, but the truth is that the Smiths will never reform because of both Morrissey and Marr.

According to Marr’s book Set the Boy Free (which I do own a copy), Marr mentioned that he met Morrissey in Manchester for a drink in September 2008 and talks about reforming came up: “Suddenly we were talking about the possibility of the band re-forming, and in that moment, it seemed that with the right intention it could actually be done and might even be great. I would still work with the Cribs on our album, and Morrissey also had an album due out… For four days it was a very real prospect. We would have to get someone new on drums, but if the Smiths wanted to re-form it would make a hell of a lot of people very happy, and with all our experience we might even be better than before.”

Meanwhile, Morrissey, in Aug 2007 confirmed that he “declined a $75 million offer to tour as the Smiths in 2008 and/or 2009 even though the only requirement was that Johnny Marr also be a part of the reunion.”

If Morrissey said NO to The Smiths in 2007, why would he say absolutely YES to 2025? It doesn’t make any sense... it is only to confirm that The Smiths will never reform.

Read more Morrissey.

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Smiths is it!

Blitz Vega: Northern Gentlemen (2024) Read More Blitz Vega I know I’m late to the party, but I just got around to hearing Blitz Vega’s “Strong Forever”, the November 2022 single from FutureSonic Records/CEN/The Orchard. What is incredibly important about this single is that it features a team-up of Andy Rourke and Johnny Marr .…

Blitz Vega
facebook.com/BlitzVegamusic

In celebration of the late Andy Rourke, Blitz Vega announced his final album Northern Gentlemen. This was Rourke’s last project with Kav Blaggers.

If Blitz Vega sounds familiar, that’s because we were super excited about Rourke teaming up with former The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr for the song “Strong Forever” in November 2022.

That song, along with “LA Vampire” and “Lost & Found”, can be found in Blitz Vega’s debut album, Northern Gentlemen, set to be release on April 26, 2024, via FutureSonic Records/CEN/The Orchard.

To keep Andy’s name alive, the band and label will be re-releasing their exclusive 2023 Record Store Day 12" vinyl, Strong Forever, to all stores this month. The EP includes two remixes by Daybreakers and Will Kennedy, the single version by Z-Trip Mix, and the original version by Jagz Kooner on Side A. You can purchase the vinyl on Rough Trade.

The band recently played UK’s This Feeling Fest and planning on doing a promotional tour in the USA. Stay tuned for any US dates announcement.

Johnny Marr: Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr Read More Johnny Marr Godlike guitar genius Johnny Marr is headlining the Varsity Theater on Monday, September 17th, in support of his new album Call The Comet. …

Johnny Marr
johnnymarr.com

Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr is a greatest hits album from guitarist extraordinaire Johnny Marr came out last year. Unfortunately, no The Smiths songs on the tracklisting. This is probably due to rights issue and most likely because they wanted to keep this strictly Marr’s solo work.

Still, ever wonder what shaped Marr’s music? Well, in an article that was published today (Feb 27) on Far Out Magazine, they lists his favorite songs. Read the full article at faroutmagazine.co.uk.

Johnny Marr’s favorite songs:

T. Rex – ‘Jeepster’

The Stooges – ‘Raw Power’ (Iggy Pop Mix)

The Kinks – ‘All Day and All of the Night’

Savages – ‘The Answer’

Telegram – ‘You Said You Saw Us’

Man Made – ‘Raining in My Head’

Thee Oh Sees – ‘Flood’s New Light’

Holy Fuck – ‘Xed Eyes’

Buzzcocks – ‘What Do I Get?’

Magazine – ‘Shot By Both Sides’

The Animals – ‘It’s My Life’

Buddy Holly – ‘Not Fade Away’

Django Reinhardt – ‘Belleville’

The The – ‘This Is The Day’

The Hollies – ‘Bus Stop’

Sister Sledge – ‘Lost In Music’

Iggy Pop & The Stooges – ‘Gimme Danger’

Pet Shop Boys – ‘Love Comes Quickly’

Morrissey: Morrissey Peace Sign Harrington Jacket Read More Morrissey The Morrissey: 40 Years of Morrissey show in Perth, Australia, has been cancelled due to logistic reasons. Thanks to James, who writes .…

Morrissey
morrisseycentral.com

The official Morrissey merchandise store, Mporium is offering a limited-edition Morrissey Peace Sign Harrington Jacket for £85 pre-order (shipping in April 2024). Unfortunately, this is only offered on their UK website. I kind of want it, I would’ve ordered it, but unfortunately, I don’t live in the UK.

In other Morrissey news, remember how Morrissey cancelled his entire 2024 tour? According to the producers of the Brazil shows, Morrissey has not returned the money that was advanced to him. You can read the translation on morrissey-solo.com (Morrissey banned / ejected the owner of the website from attending his shows).

Excerpt: “Although Free Pass, the company that took care of the São Paulo show, confirmed the refund for those who purchased the tickets, the producer requested a period of up to 90 days to return the money to the public. This is because the amount, as provided for in the contract, was passed almost entirely to Morrissey in advance and, to date, he has not returned the amount.”

In even stranger news, there’s a cryptic message from Morrissey, published today (Feb 27)

The 'new' Morrissey interview and accompanying photographs at Pestana Palace are a hoax. Morrissey has not been to Portugal for many years, and does not give interviews unless at gun-point.

Digging into it, apparently Morrissey did an interview about 10 years ago for Wink #8 (published on Dec 31, 2014), and these photos were recently posted online. Someone please tell Morrissey it’s not AI-Generated.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com ♥ bsky.ap

Mojo Nixon: Girlfriend in a Coma

Mojo Nixon: Girlfriend in a Coma Read More Mojo Nixon "Girlfriend in a Coma" (covered by Teddy Blanks and Mixel Pixel). Let's just face it, as far as "Girlfriend" is concerned: Mojo Nixon did it best. …

My friend, Melinda, was a massive Mojo Nixon fan (not a surprise, considering her love for DJ Lebowitz). I know if Melinda was still alive (Mel passed away in 2010), that she would’ve written an article to honor Mojo Nixon.

I’m no Mojo Nixon expert, but was exposed to his music and humor through Mel, and did love what I heard. He had a couple of hits, like “Elvis is Everywhere” and “Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant with My Two-Headed Love Child”, but it wasn’t until I heard his cover of The Smiths’ “Girlfriend in a Coma”, that it really hit me how funny Mojo Nixon was.

The original Smiths classic is a nice, sad, sweet song about Morrissey’s girlfriend in a coma. Mojo Nixon’s version is upbeat and completely opposite of the original song. It’s honestly one of the best Smiths cover song I’ve ever heard.

In the middle of the song, Nixon starts commenting in the song: “Yeah well, don’t blame me, blame the writer of this song, Morrissey. You know that fruitcake that sings in the Smiths? Ah, he’s celibate. Oh well, I’m Mojo Nixon and I’m the Anti-Morrissey. Can’t you see that I am the Anti-Morrissey. ‘Cause I’m a meat eater. I like my meat, I like it sweet. I like to get laid, and I always get paid. Hey Morrissey, kiss my big hairy butt.”

Read more Musician Who Died in 2024.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com ♥ bsky/weheartmusic.com

Update: Morrissey cancels entire South American tour and "You Are The Quarry" 20th Anniversary shows

Read More Morrissey The Morrissey: 40 Years of Morrissey show in Perth, Australia, has been cancelled due to logistic reasons. Thanks to James, who writes .…

It’s early in the year, so it doesn’t bode well that Morrissey cancelled his “You Are The Quarry” 20th Anniversary shows in Anaheim and Inglewood, with She Wants Revenge as support.

The ambiguous “unforeseen circumstances” excuse was given for the cancellations.

I suspect it is because Morrissey, and his band, is not ready to play the album in its entirety (as promised last month when they made the announcement).

Or maybe Morrissey is stricken with sadness over the death of Melanie … or maybe Moz is celebrating The Smiths’ music being played at a Donald Trump rally? Who knows?

Read more Every date that Morrissey has ever cancelled.

• Jan 26 Anaheim, CA - Honda Center ("You Are the Quarry") (Cancelled)
• Jan 27 Inglewood, CA - Kia Forum ("You Are the Quarry") (Cancelled)
  
  Due to unforeseen circumstances the show is canceled. Tickets purchased on Ticketmaster will be automatically refunded. For all other ticket purchases, please contact your point of purchase.

• Feb 3 Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes
• Feb 8 Lima - Anfiteatro del Parque de la Exposición
• Feb 10 Bogota - Movistar Arena
• Feb 15 Santiago - Movistar Arena
• Feb 17 Buenos Aires - Movistar Arena
• Feb 22 São Paulo - Espaço Unimed
• Feb 24 Brasilia - Opera Hall

Update 01/26/2024: It appears the entire South American tour is also cancelled due to physical exhaustion. Already some venues are issuing cancellation notices, such as Buenos Aires.

Morrissey is receiving medical supervision for physical exhaustion. He has been ordered to rest for two weeks, and he will remain in Zurich.

- Donnie Knutson
Zurich Jan. 26, 2024

(AI visualization courtesy of Night Cafe Studio)

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News: Morrissey cancels Perth, Australia

40 Years of Morrissey Australia 2023 Tour Read More Morrissey As you know, I used to be a devoted The Smiths and Morrissey fan. Like many of you, I have grown up and may have been a little disenchanted by singer Morrissey’s beliefs and personality... but I still love the music .…

The Morrissey: 40 Years of Morrissey show in Perth, Australia, has been cancelled due to logistic reasons.

Thanks to James, who writes: Yep Bigmouth strikes out again. Perth, Australia gig cancelled on the day of the concert. Logistical problems. Apparently, we will be refunded. I won’t be wasting any more time or money on Morrissey. BTW. Saw Johnny Marr in Fremantle a couple of years back. He never had a voice, but was great and turned up. Don't bother coming back to Australia. I doubt any promoter would touch you..

Additional details from the concert promoter:

The promoters of the 'Morrissey: 40 Years of Morrissey' have regretfully advised that the Perth leg of the tour has now been cancelled.

The WA show was scheduled for Friday 1 December 2023.

STATEMENT FROM THE PROMOTER:
"We regret to advise the Morrissey: 40 Years of Morrissey show scheduled for Friday 1 December at Perth Concert Hall will no longer be proceeding due to unforeseen logistical issues."
- Live Nation

Read more Every date that Morrissey has ever cancelled.

Remaining tour dates:

Dec 1 Perth - Perth Concert Hall (cancelled)
Dec 4 Melbourne - Palais Theater
Dec 5 Melbourne - Palais Theater
Dec 8 Brisbane - Fortitude Music Hall
Dec 10 Sydney - State Theater
Dec 11 Sydney - State Theater
Dec 14 Auckland - The Civic
Feb 3 Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes
Feb 8 Lima - Anfiteatro del Parque de la Exposición
Feb 10 Bogota - Movistar Arena
Feb 15 Santiago - Movistar Arena
Feb 17 Buenos Aires - Movistar Arena
Feb 22 São Paulo - Espaço Unimed
Feb 24 Brasilia - Opera Hall

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Brigitte Calls Me Baby at Surly Brewing, Minneapolis (13 July 2023)

Read More The Current Celebrating local radio station The Current’s 18th Anniversary, they’ve double booked Semisonic and Chastity Brown at First Avenue on January 27 and 28. . ....

Brody checked out Chicago’s Brigitte Calls Me Baby at Surly Brewing Co. in Minneapolis, as part of the special Summer of Sound set for The Current: Happy Hour. The free event was hosted by Jill Riley, who provided the soundtrack, and Brigitte Calls Me Baby provided the live set.

The Current described Brigitte Calls Me Baby as a unique grade of pop, while Brody compared them to The Smiths (Morrissey).

Brigitte Calls Me Baby are Wes Leavins (Songwriter/Vocalist), Jeremy Benshish (Drums), Trevor Lynch (Guitar), Jack Fluegel (Guitar), Zach Lentino (Bass) and Devin Wessels (Keyboard).

Tour Dates

07/17/23 Sleeping Village, Chicago, IL

08/04/23 Musikfest 2023, Bethlehem, PA

08/25/23 All Points East 2023, London

Brigitte Calls Me Baby at Surly Brewing, Minneapolis (13 July 2023)

brody ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

News: Morrissey postponed Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham (09 July 2023)

Read More Morrissey As you know, I used to be a devoted The Smiths and Morrissey fan. Like many of you, I have grown up and may have been a little disenchanted by singer Morrissey’s beliefs and personality... but I still love the music .…

I woke up this morning to see that the Morrissey’s Royal Concert Hall concert in Nottingham has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The Royal Concert Hall’s website lists The Slow Readers Club and The Lottery Winners as support acts. Both bands are from Manchester, England.

Announcement via @RoyalNottingham

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Morrissey’s show tonight will not be going ahead. Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets and a further announcement will be made in due course. We apologise for any inconvenience.

It could be a logistics problem (trains or planes not going as scheduled), as the previous night’s concert (at Portsmouth’s Guildhall) went on without any issues. Setlist includes a good mix of The Smiths singles: “How Soon Is Now?”, “Girlfriend In A Coma”, “Half A Person”, “Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want”, and encore of “Sweet And Tender Hooligan.”

Here are Morrissey’s remaining tour dates in 2023:

07/12 Leeds - Millennium Square
07/15 Dublin - Vicar Street
07/16 Dublin - Vicar Street
07/18 Liverpool - Empire Theatre
07/19 Liverpool - Empire Theatre
07/22 London - Troxy
07/23 Aylesbury - Aylesbury Waterside Theater
07/25 Folkestone - Leas Cliff Hall
09/10 Mexico City - Palacio de los Deportes
09/14 Lima - Anfiteatro del Parque de la Exposición
09/17 Bogota - Teatro Municipal Jorge Eliécer Gaitán
09/21 Santiago - Movistar Arena
09/23 Buenos Aires - Movistar Arena
09/27 Sao Paolo - Espaço Unimed
09/30 Brasilia - Opera Hall
10/07 Orlando, FL - Dr. Phillips Center - Walt Disney Theater
10/08 Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live
10/10 St. Petersburg, FL - Mahaffey Theater
10/12 Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre
10/14 Memphis, TN - Graceland Soundstage
10/15 Nashville, TN - The Fisher Center
10/18 Washington, DC - The Anthem
10/21 New York, NY - United Palace
10/22 New York, NY - United Palace
10/24 New York, NY - United Palace
10/25 New York, NY - United Palace

Read more Every date that Morrissey has ever cancelled.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Rick Astley and Blossoms Perform The Smiths

Rick Astley and Blossoms Setlist This Charming Man What Difference Does It Make? Bigmouth Strikes Again Cemetry Gates Ask Hand in Glove Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others The Boy With the Thorn in His Side Girlfriend in a Coma Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now Panic William, It Was Really Nothing Barbarism Begins at Home Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want How Soon Is Now? There Is a Light That Never Goes Out Read More The Smiths Sad news earlier today as the world found out that Andy Rourke, former bassist for The Smiths, passed away at age 59 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York. .…

The biggest thing that came out of Glastonbury 2023 was Rick Astley (and the backup band Blossoms) full greatest hits of The Smiths set. You can watch it on BBC’s iPlayer… but if you don’t live in the UK, you can preview some songs on YouTube.

As you can see, this is possibly the greatest Smiths set ever, and Astley, and company, really knocked it out of the park.

It’s really a shame that the actual Smiths could not reform, especially with the recent passing of bassist Andy Rourke earlier in May 2023

Apparently the special Smiths set by Rick Astley and Blossoms was a secret set. Original Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr was not pleased about the show, but that he “had no problem” with any cover bands or Rick Astley.

Responding to the reaction, Astley told NME: “I’ve never met Johnny Marr and I daresay our paths may never cross, but I get it. I don’t know how I’d feel about it if I was Johnny Marr. What can you say? It’s his work and his life, but it doesn’t seem like they’re ever getting back together – so there are either bands who go out there and do it, or… It’s a difficult one, but I did it from a place of absolute joy and love for those songs.”

The Last of the Famous International Playboys (2013)

As far as Smiths singer Morrissey is concerned, Rick and Steven actually met at a Top of the Pops show, and their photograph is on the cover of the 2013 reissue of The Last of the Famous International Playboys. Originally David Bowie and Morrissey was supposed to appear on the reissue, but Bowie has never forgiven Morrissey for cancelling his supporting act for Bowie’s 1996-1997 tour... so he did not grant permission.

Morrissey, for once in his life, actually was grateful, and gave his blessings, “Anything that generates interest in that tired old Smiths warhorse is testimony to the wallop it packed”.

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Remembering Andy Rourke

The Smiths: Stop Me if You Think You’ve Heard This One Before (signed by Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce, and Johnny Marr) Official Statement ANDREW MICHAEL ROURKE “ANDY ROURKE” Passed away at age 59 January 17, 1964 - May 19, 2023 MAY 19, 2023 (New York, NY) -- It is with deep sadness that we announce that Andy Rourke has passed away in the early hours today at age 59 in New York City at Memorial Sloan Kettering after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. 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. Read More Andy Rourke First, this is indie dance club was celebrating its 14 Year Anniversary, and, second, guest DJ, Andy Rourke is the bassist of one of my favorite 80s band, The Smiths…. The Smiths Sad news earlier today as the world found out that Andy Rourke, former bassist for The Smiths, passed away at age 59 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York. .…

The news of Andy Rourke’s death came to me suddenly on Friday. I had no idea the former The Smiths bassist was dying… but on retrospect, I should have seen it coming. Especially since I wrote about how Rourke and Johnny Marr came together to produce “Strong Forever” in Jan 2023. The two were friends since the age of 13, before joining The Smiths, and it was likely a dying man’s last request.

I’ve met Rourke before, at the first The Smiths Convention in Los Angeles in 1997. I have photos of Rourke and I, but this was before digital cameras, so the photos are in a photo album somewhere in my storage. I’ll have to dig for them at a later time and digitalize them for easier access.

What I can tell you is that they were nice when we met as fans, getting our albums and singles signed by them. I had them sign my “Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before”, one of the last official releases in the UK and Japan (The Smiths’ singles were rarely released in America). I would later meet Johnny Marr and had them sign the same single. One day I hope to see Morrissey and have him sign the sleeve…

So, here’s a trivia, Rourke continued to work with Morrissey after the Smiths broke up. He wrote two of my favorite B-Sides, “Get Off the Stage” and “Girl Least Likely To”… but he also wrote my least favorite Morrissey song, “Yes I Am Blind” (and deaf too apparently after hearing that song). You can’t blame Rourke entirely, as with these collaborations, he would compose the music and then Morrissey would then add his lyrics to it.

The two biggest “bass” songs in The Smiths library are “This Charming Man” (New York Mix) and “Barbarism Begins At Home” (especially hearing a live version). The former is a rare remix. You see, DJ François Kevorkian remixed the song in 1983 for the nightclubbers and was pressed for NY club DJs. Morrissey hated the song, and had the song pulled out of circulation, according to the Peepholism book by Jo Slee.

The remix, which featured really heavy emphasis on Andy Rourke’s bassline, was lost to obscurity. I actually didn’t discover the remix until the 1992 re-issue of “This Charming Man” single… and it was a song unlike any Smiths song! Again, it’s a very bass-y mix, and it was almost laughable that it’s the bassist’s song of choice when he DJed, live in person, at the 14th Anniversary of Transmission in 2015.

It’s sad to see that with Rourke’s death, there will never, truly be a Smiths reunion. Everyone knew it would never happen, but now with one of the band member dead, perhaps it’s time for the remaining three to bury the hatchet.

In the meantime, we’ll always have The Smiths’ music… and go ahead and put on that New York remix of “This Charming Man”, in honor of the great Andy Rourke.

Note: Tomorrow, May 22, is Morrissey’s birthday... “I've come to wish you an unhappy birthday.”

Mike Joyce’s statement:

I don’t think Andy realised just how good a bass player he was. I don’t think Andy ever really embraced just how momentous his contribution towards music is. I don’t think he ever grasped that and realised that. He was such a self-effacing character, he never saw himself as a great bass player because it was so effortless for him and so easy for him. He just put the bass on and magic would happen.

Johnny Marr’s statement:

Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.

Morrissey’s statement:

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 OK. 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.

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R.I.P. Andy Rourke (The Smiths bassist)

Read more Musicians who died in 2023

R.I.P. ANDY ROURKE

Sad news earlier today as the world found out that Andy Rourke, former bassist for The Smiths, passed away at age 59 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Center in New York.

As one-fourth of one of the most influential bands of the 1980’s, his bass lines were often very recognizable and along with drummer Mike Joyce provided the vital musical backbone to so many memorable hit songs. “He didn’t ever know his own power, and nothing that he played had been played by someone else,” Morrissey has posted in tribute on his own site.

Andrew Rourke was born in Manchester, England on Jan. 17, 1964, to an English father and Irish mother and would receive an acoustic guitar from his parents at age 7, that would help define the rest of his life. He would meet future guitarist and band mate Johnny Marr in school at age 11 to begin a life-long friendship that would first pay dividends after The Smiths formed in 1982 and Marr suggested his childhood friend after other bassists weren’t working out for the group.

The Smiths’ first Top 10 hit in the UK would be “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and a meteoric rise to success, would follow soon after. But, as quick as the rise was, so was the fall, as Morrissey fired Rourke (famously via postcard), due to continuing drug use, but Rourke would soon rejoin until the group’s permanent disbanding in 1987.

Never paid as equal partners, Rourke and Joyce would soon after sue their former bandmates for a more favorable share of profits, with Rourke eventually settling out of court, while Joyce’s suit proceeded. Any bad feelings soon must have become bygones, as Rourke would guest on Morrissey solo tracks such as 1989’s “Interesting Drug” and “Last of the Famous International Playboys” from 1990.

Rourke would continue playing bass on albums from others, even touring with Badly Drawn Boy and co-forming Jetlag, which became D.A.R.K.,even calling the late Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries as a one-time member. After O'Riordan’s death, Rourke formed Blitz Vega with guitarist/vocalist Kav Sandhu to release a batch of singles including Nov. 2022's "Strong Forever" which featured (you guessed it), Johnny Marr as guest guitarist. He would also start a second career as a club DJ, which is when we saw him spin back in 2015 at First Avenue in Minneapolis.

“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.”, the issued statement regarding his death reads in part.

Andy Rourke with DJ Jake Rudh at First Avenue, Minneapolis MN 2015

John C ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com