Morrissey remembers The Smiths’ Andy Rourke: “He will never die as long as his music is heard”

nme.com:

Morrissey has paid tribute to former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke following the news of his death.Rourke died after “a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer”, confirmed a statement from Johnny Marr this morning (May 19).

He was 59 years old.Expressing his “deep sadness” over his passing, Marr added: “Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.”The soloist has since shared a longer message, in which he described Rourke as “one of those rare people that absolutely no one doesn’t like”.

Marr went on to say that he’d “be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by everyone who knew him”.Elsewhere, ex-Smiths drummer Mike Joyce hailed Rourke as “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”.He continued: “Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual.

I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate.”Now, Morrissey has paid tribute in a statement titled ‘Beam Of Light’ on his official ‘Morrissey Central’ website.“Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly,” the singer wrote. “When someone dies, out come the usual blandishments … as if their death is there to be used.