Rourke contributed to all four of The Smiths’ albums, The Smiths, Meat is Murder, The Queen is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come. Following their disbandment, Rourke went on to work with artists such as Badly Drawn Boy, Sinead O’Conner, The Pretenders and former Oasis guitarist, Bonehead.

There was an outpouring of tributes from his ex-bandmates, with The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr taking to Twitter to confirm the news.

Marr wrote, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke 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.“

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke 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 pic.twitter.com/KNehQxXoFz

— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) May 19, 2023

Marr went on to request privacy as the band grieve their former bandmate and friend.

The Smiths’ frontman Morrissey shared his own tribute on his website, writing, “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.”

Morrissey continued, “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.”

Mike Joyce, The Smiths’ drummer, also shared his thoughts, tweeting, “Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate.”  

Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate. — Mike Joyce (@mikejoycedrums) May 19, 2023

Andy Rourke’s contribution to music has been celebrated by musicians and fans alike, with presenter Terry Christian summing his passing up as “another hole left In the History of Manchester music.”

Sad to hear of death of Andy Rourke, I knew he’d jad cancer for sevetal years now but understood he was in some ki d of recovery . Lovely guy – I first met him in November 1983 – another hole left In the History of Manchester music. R.I.P Andy #Manchester #TheSmiths

— terry christian (@terrychristian) May 19, 2023

In response to a question on whether self-employed musicians and those working in the creative sector should find new employment as a consequence of the pandemic, the Chancellor said “I can’t pretend that everyone can do exactly the same job that they were doing at the beginning of this crisis. That’s why we’ve put a lot of resource into trying to create new opportunities.”

What’s Rishi Sunak’s message to musicians, actors, freelancers in the arts who don’t feel govt is supporting them? Should they get a different job?

The Chancellor told me it’s “not right that there’s no work available…and everyone is having to adapt.” @ITVNewsPoliticspic.twitter.com/ewrQixpAne

— Daniel Hewitt (@DanielHewittITV) October 6, 2020

The comments prompted a backlash from a host of acts, who emphasised the importance of the music sector and wider creative industries to the UK economy. Folk-pop troubadour Damon Gough (aka Badly Drawn Boy) accused the Government of having ‘given up‘ on musicians. Derbyshire rock three-piece Drenge highlighted the importance of the sector to the UK economy, a theme also picked up by alt-rockers Shame, Blur drummer Dave Rowntree and X Factor alumna Diana Vickers.

To give up on Music, Art, Film, Theatre, all other art forms which celebrate the Human Spirit.. is to give up on Life itself Mr. Sunak !

— Badly Drawn Boy (@badly_drawn_boy) October 6, 2020

The live music industry brings in £5.2 billion a year, with nearly 200,000 jobs according this report published… last November.
What training has Sunak had?https://t.co/O5LJHUUuVj

— drenge (@drenge) October 6, 2020

Northern Irish indie-rock stalwarts Ash were also keen to emphasise the jobs the music industry supports off-stage.

Not just musicians though is it? It’s our technicians, our engineers, our management, our agent, our promoter. It’s the venues, their staff, the production companies, transport, storage. It’s roughly one million people you’re throwing on the job market.

— ASH (@ashofficial) October 6, 2020

Lily Allen delivered a more tongue-in-cheek response to the Chancellor’s comments, joking that she would now “get implants and join OnlyFans“.

Rishi Sunak took to Twitter to respond to some of the criticism, saying “I care deeply about the arts which is why our £1.57bn culture package is one of the most generous in the world.” In a separate ITV News interview, Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said that the Chancellor should be working with businesses which would be viable if not for the pandemic.The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s comments coincided with a rally in Parliament Square in support of creative industry freelancers. The demonstration was organised by Let Music Live and spearheaded by Electric Light Orchestra musician Jess Murphy.

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Excellent placards at today’s demonstration #letmusiclive

A post shared by Let Music Live (@letmusicliveuk) on Oct 6, 2020 at 8:23am PDT