I started playing in 1984 when their first album dropped, Andy was definitely a big influence on my early playing. Marr and Morrissey get most of the attention, but Andy was critical to their sound.
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RIP Andy Rourke
- Thread starter Grinderman
- Start date
The Queen is Dead is one of my all-time favorite albums. Haven't listened to them in some years though; I think today will be a Smiths listening day!
Marr was one of my heroes early on (I started on guitar) and I didn't appreciate Andy's playing until later when I realized how seriously underappreciated he was (and overshadowed by Morrissey and Marr, even though all four of them were equally great). RIP.
Marr was one of my heroes early on (I started on guitar) and I didn't appreciate Andy's playing until later when I realized how seriously underappreciated he was (and overshadowed by Morrissey and Marr, even though all four of them were equally great). RIP.
Marr was also my initial source of attraction to The Smiths, but I didn't really get invested until I listened to the bass on This Night Has Opened My Eyes. Marr is definitely a genius in his own right but Andy Rourke added so much with his bass parts, and I wear his influence on my sleeve when I write bass lines.
Bounce is definitely the word; a very unique style.
It's funny, I was a huge Marr fan early on, and as I got into other music (namely prog rock), I didn't care for him much and thought he was highly overrated (Alex Lifeson, Steve Howe, and Steve Hackett became my heroes, then), but I was still a fan of Rourke.
I've come around on Marr - I still think he's somewhat overrated, but he definitely had a unique approach to guitar and made me a better rhythm guitar player. Still, Andy's playing was a huge part of their songs and I think Marr's low-key style makes Andy's playing stand out even more (for the best!).
Was saddened to read about his passing this morning. I'll be listening to some Smiths while working today and play some PBass with a pick tonight in his memory.
My wife just told me. Ugh. Love The Smiths and The Queen is Dead is one of my all time favorite bass lines. He had so many cool bass lines and was a big influence on how I approach the bass.
Sad loss for sure.
Sad loss for sure.
Fantastic and underrated bass player. There are some seriously tricky bass lines on those Smiths records. He was the heart of that band and sadly never got rewarded for it. RIP Andy.
One of my favorite bass players of all time. Just classy lines.
RIP Andy
RIP Andy
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This is an interesting one... my main exposure to this band has been at jobs, through poor speakers, and even though I've known of the band for decades now I've never really sat and listened.
Twenty seconds into This Charming Man and just... man. People would always focus on the vocals in those workplace experiences, but this bass playing is excellent.
I'm sorry it took this news for me to discover his playing. But I'll be learning his lines now, and helping keep that memory alive.
Twenty seconds into This Charming Man and just... man. People would always focus on the vocals in those workplace experiences, but this bass playing is excellent.
I'm sorry it took this news for me to discover his playing. But I'll be learning his lines now, and helping keep that memory alive.
For the best part of a decade before I even really knew what a bass guitar did, let alone started playing, I was continually lectured by music journalists, and friends / fans about what an incredible, important guitarist Marr was.
I just didn't get it at all - with the exception of "How Soon Is Now" his guitar parts were always completely invisible to me - it was always Andy's bass that formed the identity of every Smith's song.
I kid you not, it's literally only in the last couple of years that I even noticed there is a guitar part on "This Charming Man" after the intro.
R.I.P. Andy.
X.
I just didn't get it at all - with the exception of "How Soon Is Now" his guitar parts were always completely invisible to me - it was always Andy's bass that formed the identity of every Smith's song.
I kid you not, it's literally only in the last couple of years that I even noticed there is a guitar part on "This Charming Man" after the intro.
R.I.P. Andy.
X.
Never felt he got the credit he deserved. Bass lines were always creative, melodic and supportive of the songs. I posted a couple of transcriptions this morning. RIP in Andy
Were it not for Morrissey I'd love the Smiths. RIP Andy, you were a hell of a bass player.
Nononononononononononononononononononono....
I was a gigantic fan of thee Smiths, and when Moz went solo
it hit me that it was the sound of the band as a whole that captivated me.
This is sad news.
I was a gigantic fan of thee Smiths, and when Moz went solo
it hit me that it was the sound of the band as a whole that captivated me. This is sad news.
Changed my idea of what rock bass lines should be forever from the age of 16
