Andy Rourke, the bassist for seminal 80s English rock band The Smiths, has died at age 59.
Johnny Marr, the band's guitarist, confirmed Rourke's death on Twitter.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer," Marr wrote.
"Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.
"We request privacy at this sad time."
Formed in Manchester in early 1982, the band released four studio albums before disbanding in 1987.
Along with drummer Mike Joyce, Rourke provided a pounding and melodic rhythm section underlying Marr's pioneering chords as The Smiths became one of Britain's most influential bands during the 1980s.
Battling heroin addiction and financial difficulties, Rourke joined Joyce in suing Marr and lyricist Morrissey for a greater share of royalties in the years following the band's split.
The bassist settled out of court, and his friendship with Marr survived the case.
But Morrissey, who has increasingly flirted with far-right politics in recent years, was virulent about his former band-mates before adopting a more conciliatory tone in his book Autobiography.
ABC/AFP
