Green Cross Code Man
Wunt be druv
I'm not massively into indie but love The Smiths. As mentioned in this thread, insanely catchy guitar, great melody, Morrissey's unusual singing style and wonderfully humourous, depressive lyrics. RIP.
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[Music] Andy Rourke sadly passes away.
- Thread starter PeterT
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- #22
I saw them only once, in Birmingham in 1983. Was always hoping they’d reform but that idea never seemed to get any traction. Seen Morrissey a few times and Johnny Marr in Manchester when I was up there for the last Ashes, which was a brilliant night, one of the best gigs I have been to recently.
- Thread starter
- #23
Remember getting a bus into town just to buy this single on the day it came out. Seems a million years ago now.
Si Gull
Way Down South
Like others, I only got to see them once and Mozzer was as cantankerous as ever
Andy Rourke was a great bassist in a band where the individual chemistries came together perfectly to create an, as yet, unsurpassed range of 'pop' songs (imo).
RIP Andy.
Andy Rourke was a great bassist in a band where the individual chemistries came together perfectly to create an, as yet, unsurpassed range of 'pop' songs (imo). RIP Andy.
Weststander
Well-known member
There was a Brighton nightclub under the small hotel at the bottom of West Street, Subterfuge.
In 1983, 1984, they always played The Smiths.
A dance floor filler every time. Great days.
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
From Facebook:
Andy and I met as schoolboys in 1975. We were best friends, going everywhere together. When we were fifteen I moved into his house with him and his three brothers and I soon came to realise that my mate was one of those rare people that absolutely no one doesn’t like.
Andy and I spent all our time studying music, having fun, and working on becoming the best musicians we could possibly be. Back then Andy was a guitar player and a good one at that, but it was when he picked up the bass that he would find his true calling and his singular talent would flourish.
Throughout our teens we played in various bands around South Manchester before making our reputations with The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, and it was on those Smiths records that Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player.
I was present at every one of Andy’s bass takes on every Smiths session. Sometimes I was there as the producer and sometimes just as his proud mate and cheerleader. Watching him play those dazzling baselines 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.’
We maintained our friendship over the years, no matter where we were or what was happening and it is a matter of personal pride as well as sadness that the last time Andy played on stage was with me and my band at Maddison Square Garden in September 2022.
It was a special moment that we shared with my family and his wife and soul mate Francesca.
Andy will always be remembered, as a kind and beautiful soul by everyone who knew him, and as a supremely gifted musician by people who love music.
Well done Andy. We’ll miss you brother.
Johnny x
"Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly. 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 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."
MORRISSEY.
Andy and I met as schoolboys in 1975. We were best friends, going everywhere together. When we were fifteen I moved into his house with him and his three brothers and I soon came to realise that my mate was one of those rare people that absolutely no one doesn’t like.
Andy and I spent all our time studying music, having fun, and working on becoming the best musicians we could possibly be. Back then Andy was a guitar player and a good one at that, but it was when he picked up the bass that he would find his true calling and his singular talent would flourish.
Throughout our teens we played in various bands around South Manchester before making our reputations with The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, and it was on those Smiths records that Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player.
I was present at every one of Andy’s bass takes on every Smiths session. Sometimes I was there as the producer and sometimes just as his proud mate and cheerleader. Watching him play those dazzling baselines 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.’
We maintained our friendship over the years, no matter where we were or what was happening and it is a matter of personal pride as well as sadness that the last time Andy played on stage was with me and my band at Maddison Square Garden in September 2022.
It was a special moment that we shared with my family and his wife and soul mate Francesca.
Andy will always be remembered, as a kind and beautiful soul by everyone who knew him, and as a supremely gifted musician by people who love music.
Well done Andy. We’ll miss you brother.
Johnny x
"Sometimes one of the most radical things you can do is to speak clearly. 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 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."
MORRISSEY.
I probably bumped into you there. Literally if I recall some of those nights.
mikeyjh
Well-known member
It was interesting hearing Peter Hook talking about (specifically) Morrissey's response, Hook remained polite but clearly through gritted teeth. He spoke eloquently about what a good, forgiving man Rourke was, able to forgive where he couldn't. Impressive, honest, interview. I'm in the Hook camp, I couldn't have been friends the pair after what happened.
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Not heard this. Where is it please?
Weststander
Well-known member
I think The Cure were played, some of the punters were Goths.
Or go and see Johnny Marr (I'm in the age category you describe). Really good gig. Sound guy. Properly good musician.
You couldn't pay me to go and see Steven.
RIP Andy.
Goldstone Guy
Well-known member
"Had previously decided they were wankers, but that night opened my eyes" is a great line which surely deserves a mention. Good excuse to post this as well.
jakarta
Well-known member
Never seen this before, never thought he was a Smiths Fan but rather wonderful...
mikeyjh
Well-known member
R5 sometime about 4:15, will worth a listen...
Whilst I was familiar with The Smiths I didnt truly appreciate them until after they'd split. The reason is that I was into rock and metal when they were at their peak. I got into them later in life and have now seen both Morissey and Marr perform live.
Way too young to die. RIP
Way too young to die. RIP
KZNSeagull
Well-known member
Thanks, will do
Cheshire Cat
The most curious thing..
I couldn't stand the Smiths and still can't.
All their songs sounded like
"I'm so depressed
I'm so depressed
I'm alone in my bedroom
I'm so depressed
Everybody hates me"
Repeat to fade....
And Morrissey just got worse as he got older.
All their songs sounded like
"I'm so depressed
I'm so depressed
I'm alone in my bedroom
I'm so depressed
Everybody hates me"
Repeat to fade....
And Morrissey just got worse as he got older.
Si Gull
Way Down South
That's pretty reductive. There was an awful lot more to them than that such as commentary on social mores and relationships, as well as a great deal of humour. Add in the brilliant Johnny Marr guitar work and Andy Rourke's clever bass lines and you had something very special going on.
Your last sentence I agree with.