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The Smiths were one of the most distinctive, tempestuous rock bands of the 1980s, and bassist Andy Rourke was an important part of holding it together while he could. In a band with a frontman and guitarist — Morrissey and Johnny Marr — often at each other's throats, Rourke's melodic,…

Answers on a cigarette butt PLUS exam worries AND an iconic musician

Bassist with the Smiths whose distinctive melodic style was central to the band’s sound

Many people often ignore or mistake symptoms of pancreatic cancer for other less deadly diseases

On seminal Smiths recordings in the 1980s, guitarist Johnny Marr said, "Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player." Rourke had been ill with pancreatic cancer. He was 59.

In this interview from 2016, the late low-end legend reflects on an influential career with The Smiths and beyond, why the Fender P-Bass won his heart, and how he developed his distinct playing style

The cancer is difficult to diagnose in its early stages, but keeping an eye out for the warning signs is always recommended.

Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr has led tributes to the man he says “reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player”

Andy Rourke, bassist for the Smiths, has died at the age of 59 following a long illness with pancreatic cancer - here we share the key signs for the disease that has one of the lowest survival rates of any cancer

Marr said it was an ‘absolute privilege’ to play alongside Rourke.

Andy Rourke’s career extended beyond The Smiths, playing alongside The Pretenders and Sinead O’Connor, as well as with the supergroup Freebass, which included Gary Mounfield from the Stone Roses and Peter Hook from New Order.