Johnny Marr announced the death of Smiths bassist Andy Rourke this morning (May 19), and now, Morrissey has shared his own tribute to his long-time bandmate.
"Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly," the singer wrote on his website. "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 continued:
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.
The pair worked together following the Smiths' split, with Rourke playing bass on some of Morrissey's solo work.
Rourke died following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59.
"Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly," the singer wrote on his website. "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 continued:
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.
The pair worked together following the Smiths' split, with Rourke playing bass on some of Morrissey's solo work.
Rourke died following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 59.
