Andy Rourke, bassist for seminal indie giants the Smiths, has died, aged 59. Confirming the news on social media, the band's guitarist Johnny Marr paid tribute to "a superbly gifted musician".
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer," wrote Marr. "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."
