toneknob Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Another sad loss this week. It seems like only yesterday this came bursting out of my AM radio. 2 20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nail Soup Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 RIP Andy. A great bassist, but never given the recognition he deserved. I saw a Smiths Tribute a few years ago and was amazed at the number of cracking basslines Andy produced. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 If you played bass in an indie band in the eighties, Andy Rourke's level of playing was probably your aspirational goal. His contribution to The Smiths was as huge as it is underrated. 18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bagsieblue Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 1 minute ago, rushbo said: If you played bass in an indie band in the eighties, Andy Rourke's level of playing was probably your aspirational goal. His contribution to The Smiths was as huge as it is underrated. Absolutely spot on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geddys nose Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Thats tragic, big influence and when I use to see them in the early days always stood in front or Andy. Great player. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toneknob Posted May 19, 2023 Author Share Posted May 19, 2023 (edited) From the Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/19/andy-rourke-bassist-for-the-smiths-dies-aged-59) "(Johnny) Marr’s tribute continued: “Watching him play those dazzling basslines was an absolute privilege and genuinely something to behold. But one time which always comes to mind was when I sat next to him at the mixing desk watching him play his bass on the song The Queen is Dead. It was so impressive that I said to myself ‘I’ll never forget this moment.’" Bit dusty in here. Edited May 19, 2023 by toneknob 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misdee Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 He was a terrific bass player with a sound and style that really stood out. Quite literally; that bright P Bass tone with roundwounds and a pick was unmistakable even on medium wave radio and the lo-fi TV sets most folks had back in the day. Such an inventive and creative player. The Smiths wouldn't have been the monumental band they became without his contribution. I'm very sad. RIP Andy Rourke.😟 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meterman Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Oh that’s awful news He was a great player (“Barbarism Begins At Home” was my favourite of his recorded bass lines) and The Smiths were the first band I saw live. And I had no idea he was only 59? Shocker. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Just read about this on the BBC. Another really influential bass player gone within a week. People tend to mostly associate The Smiths with Morrissey & Marr, but AR was such a big part of the sound too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supernaut Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 He was 21 when their debut album came out. Such mature and timeless playing for someone so young. RIP. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushbo Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 20 minutes ago, toneknob said: "(Johnny) Marr’s tribute continued: “Watching him play those dazzling basslines was an absolute privilege and genuinely something to behold. But one time which always comes to mind was when I sat next to him at the mixing desk watching him play his bass on the song The Queen is Dead. It was so impressive that I said to myself ‘I’ll never forget this moment.’" Perfect. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 This is a shocker to say the least, great bassist, RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2elliot Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Wow, I'm shocked. Awful news. R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 A great bassist for sure with that terrific P-Bass tone (even if I really can't stand Morrissey). May he rest in peace. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lidl e Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Holy shite! He plays on our last single and will be on our album coimng out in October. Wow. My bandleader was in a band with him and dolores from the cranberries. He's going to be shook. What a tragedy... 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy515 Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 (edited) A bass God RIP Edited May 19, 2023 by Paddy515 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KingPrawn Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 A true legend and his bass lines have driven some of the most iconic songs of the 80’s. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Monster Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Really sad news. Created some truly iconic lines for such an iconic band. Thoughts and condolences to all of his friends and family, may he rest in peace. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZilchWoolham Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 (edited) One of my earliest bass inspirations and truly one of (if not the) greatest melodic bass players of all time. Everything he played with The Smiths was terrific. Playing the way he did with someone like Johnny Marr on the guitar means that he not only anchored the songs rhythmically but also harmonically, giving very crucial context to all of those broken chords and arpeggios. Stephen Street said that he noticed Morrissey would often lean heavily on the bass lines for his vocal melodies and it's not surprising. There are so many song recommendations I could give, but This Night Has Opened My Eyes is truly sublime. Perfectly measured, perceptive, meaningful bass playing. One of the best early Smiths tracks that really showcases a band of four equals. I cannot praise this man enough. A very sad day. Edited May 19, 2023 by ZilchWoolham 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 (edited) I met him once, at Nottingham boat club despite being star of the show, he stood to one side to allow me to pass. I thanked him and insisted he go first as he’d forgotten more about bass than I’d ever know charming man… Edited May 19, 2023 by Geek99 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 One of the greats of the last 40 years without doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers_Williamson Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 I thought this was a bit sad (but predictable of the music business....Quote from today: In 1989, Rourke and Joyce took Morrissey and Marr to court, arguing they were owed an equal share of earnings, having only earned 10% each of the group's performance and recording royalties. Rourke settled for a lump sum of £83,000, but Joyce persisted with the legal action and was awarded around £1m in backdated royalties, and 25% thereafter. Rourke later filed for bankruptcy in 1999. It's a sad day, and 'This Charming Man' is one of my favourite basslines to play, albeit I attempt to play it finger style...which is probably a mistake! 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pst62 Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 A greatly underappreciated player. Terrible news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StingRayBoy42 Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 One of the true All-Time Greats. Love his style - incredibly musical, technically superb, but only ever played for the song, never to show off his chops. So many good lines to choose from... Barbarism (obviously), This Charming Man, Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Paint a Vulgar Picture... but I think The Queen is Dead would be my Desert Island Smiths Bassline. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 AS noted above - some amazing basslines from an amazing player. Taken at 59?? There is no justice in this world. RIP sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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