Mural to pay tribute to Smiths bassist Andy Rourke

Andy Rourke performed on all of The Smiths' studio albums and on songs for Morrissey after the group broke up in 1987

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has said a planned mural of his late bandmate Andy Rourke will be a “lovely tribute”.

Rourke, who was bassist on the group’s most famous songs including This Charming Man, died from pancreatic cancer in 2023 at the age of 59.

A crowdfunder for a mural, which will depict Rourke performing on tour, has raised more than its initial £20,000 target.

Joyce, who roomed with Rourke while they toured, told BBC Radio Manchester: “He was such a brilliant musician and such a great bloke that I thought a permanent memorial would be apt for the man."

He said he was "funny, interesting, clever, smart, talented – what more could you ask for in a bloke?".

Joyce helped launch the crowdfunder, with any surplus funds going to the charity Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Akse commission

The artwork will be revealed in November, which is pancreatic cancer awareness month.

Rourke said he hoped it would raise awareness of “getting an early diagnosis”.

symptoms, which include the whites of people’s eyes and skin turning yellow, skin becoming itchy and changes in weight, appetite and digestion.

The mural will be created by renowned street artist Akse, who has previously depicted footballer Marcus Rashford in Withington and musician David Bowie on the side of a pub in Oak Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

The Rourke mural will portray him performing at Dundee's Caird Hall in 1985, as captured in an image by tour photographer Nalinee Darmrong.

The Smiths were formed in Manchester in 1982 and released four studio albums before breaking up in 1987.