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Despite tensions caused by a royalties battle that for a period split the former members of The Smiths into two warring camps, the band’s singer, Morrissey, penned a predictably lyrical, poetic tribute to the band’s late bassist, Andy Rourke. In a message posted on his official site on Friday (May 19) entitled “Beam of Light,” […]
Jimmy Buffett canceled his planned concert in Charleston, S.C., on Saturday (May 20) with his Coral Reefer Band after telling fans on Thursday (May 18) that he is dealing with some undisclosed health issues. In a Facebook message to his Parrothead nation, Buffett, 76, said the show at Credit One Stadium would be rescheduled with […]
Tributes to late Smiths bassist Andy Rourke poured in from every corner of the rock world on Friday morning (May 19) as fellow musicians honored the the musician who died at 59 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. In a testament to the still-echoing influence the Smiths had despite a brief career that lasted only five years, notes of condolence and praise came in from contemporaries as well as many younger bands whose music was undeniably impacted by the beloved ’80s English indie band that put a jangly sheen to some of the most misanthropic lyrics in rock history.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” wrote bandmate and Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr in announcing Rourke’s death. “Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.”
Drummer Mike Joyce wrote, “Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate.”
At press time it did not appear that Smiths singer Morrissey had commented on Rourke’s death.
Charlatans singer Tim Burgess paid homage to the deep impact Joyce had on him and his band, writing, “He was an inspirational musician with a style that made so many of us pick up a bass guitar; and the driving force for Manchester Versus Cancer. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew him. Travel well.”
British folk singer Billy Bragg fondly recalled touring with Rourke and Marr, saying, “He was a lovely guy and an amazing bass player. My condolences to his family and friends.” On the other end of the music spectrum, “Never Gonna Give You Up” pop singer Rick Astley recalled meeting Rourke and Joyce in Los Angeles in the 1980s, praising them for being “lovely guys” and for making time to chat with “a kid from Newton-le-Willows,” calling them “heroes.”
Suede bassist Mat Osman paid homage to the Smiths’ — and Rourke’s — unique sound, writing, “A total one-off – a rare bassist whose sound you could recognise straight away. I remember so clearly playing that ‘Barbarism [Begins at Home]’ break over and over, trying to learn the riff, and marvelling at this steely funk driving the track along.”
Belle and Sebastian singer Stuart Murdoch called Rourke a “bloody legend,” while Travis singer Fran Healy seconded, dubbing the bassist a “lovely gentle soul” and Stone Roses vocalist Ian Brown remembered meeting Rourke at a party when he was 17 and remaining friends with him afterwards. “One of the highlights of my music life was Andy playing on my The World is Yours album and accompanying me onstage on a UK tour and my first show in MOSCOW,” he said. “Belly laughs all the way. RiP Brother X.”
Tributes also came in from New Order guitarist Phil Cunningham and bassist Tom Chapman and Rough Trade Records, which released the band’s self-titled 1984 debut and their other three studio albums, Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come.
Though the band’s acrimonious split in 1987 would cleave them into two camps, with a legal battle over royalties that pitted Rourke and drummer Joyce against Marr and Morrissey, Marr made it clear that the bond they shared was eternal. Marr posted a much longer tribute on Instagram, writing, “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.”
Marr continued, writing that throughout their teens the pair played in a variety of bands around South Manchester before making their reputations from 1982-1987. “And it was on those Smiths records that Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player,” he said. ” 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.’”
The guitarist said they stayed friends over the years, no matter where they were or what was going on in their lives. “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,” he said. “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.”
See the tributes to Rourke below.
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. 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 pic.twitter.com/KNehQxXoFz— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) May 19, 2023
Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate.— Mike Joyce (@mikejoycedrums) May 19, 2023
A driving force behind some of the most influential albums in British music history.Rest in peace Andy Rourke, former bassist of The Smiths. A formidable talent we will forever be thankful for.Photo by Paul Slattery pic.twitter.com/egpegwryd1— Rough Trade (@RoughTrade) May 19, 2023
Such sad sad news about Andy Rourke – He was an inspirational musician with a style that made so many of us pick up a bass guitar; and the driving force for Manchester Versus Cancer. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew him. Travel well x pic.twitter.com/6hrrfl9bhx— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) May 19, 2023
Very sad to hear of the death of Andy Rourke. He was a huge inspiration. Nobody else played like him. Those melodies that wove in and out of the singing, guitar and drums brought me so much joy, like satisfying puzzles communicating the complexity of life.— Alex Kapranos (@alkapranos) May 19, 2023
Very sorry to hear that Smiths bassist Andy Rourke has passed away. I have great memories of him playing with Johnny Marr and myself on the Red Wedge tour. He was a lovely guy and an amazing bass player. My condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/r9moJTxgiG— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) May 19, 2023
Aw man. RIP Andy Rourke. A total one-off – a rare bassist whose sound you could recognise straight away. I remember so clearly playing that Barbarism break over and over, trying to learn the riff, and marvelling at this steely funk driving the track along. (pic – K Cummins) pic.twitter.com/c3iBdsstpC— Mat Osman (@matosman) May 19, 2023
Very sad news about Andy Rourke. I met Andy with Mike Joyce in LA in the 80s. Such lovely guys, made time to chat to a kid from Newton-le-Willows, Heroes! R.I.P. Love to his family and friends ❤️ #AndyRourke pic.twitter.com/8fxAyyQ4E4— Rick Astley (@rickastley) May 19, 2023
Very sad to hear of the death of Andy Rourke. He was a huge inspiration. Nobody else played like him. Those melodies that wove in and out of the singing, guitar and drums brought me so much joy, like satisfying puzzles communicating the complexity of life.— Alex Kapranos (@alkapranos) May 19, 2023
RiP ANDY ROURKEI first met Andy aged 17 @simonWolstencr1 party.We remained pals. One of the highlights of my music life was Andy playing on my The World is Yours album and accompanying me onstage on a UK tour and my first show in MOSCOW. Belly laughs all the way. RiP Brother X— Ian Brown (@ianbrown) May 19, 2023
Very sad to hear of the passing of Andy Rourke. A kind hearted beautiful person and an awesome talent. Thoughts to all family and friends at this difficult time. RIP Andy x pic.twitter.com/mAwHcKAk6G— Philip Cunningham (@PhilCmusic) May 19, 2023
Rest in Peace Andy. A true inspiration to me and the reason I moved to Manchester to be a musician. One of the best bass players to come out of Manchester If it wasn’t for him I probably wouldn’t be in New Order today. My thoughts go to his friends and family Big Love 💙. TC pic.twitter.com/epTNNDyxJo— Tom Chapman (@tommychap01) May 19, 2023
I first met Andy Rourke in 1999 when I was 18 (I was working with him when he played for Aziz Ibrahim) I can’t tell you how much he welcomed me with open arms. He was the funniest person I’d ever met…..— Jack Mitchell (@jackthesticks) May 19, 2023
The Smiths were easily the most important band of my teens. I was beyond honoured when Andy played bass with me on tour for 2 years. He was the coolest, kindest funniest person, a joy to tour with. Probably the best natural musician I’ve ever seen. Loved him. Gutted 💔 pic.twitter.com/zANdsom6i1— Badly Drawn Boy (@badly_drawn_boy) May 19, 2023
Such sad news, andy was was a lovely guy and a fantastic musician. He will be missed. sending love Johnny Doves x https://t.co/Gcmg7jY7rh— Doves (@dovesmusicblog) May 19, 2023
💔 The saddest news to wake up to. @AndyRourkeMusic a great friend.A beautiful man, a wonderful musician.The first person I wrote music with when the Mondays first split in 1993. He wrote & played all the music. We worked hard & partied harder.I loved the manRest In Peace ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HDq3Cv4uRw— Rowetta🎙 (@Rowetta) May 19, 2023
Rest in Peace Andy. A true inspiration to me and the reason I moved to Manchester to be a musician. One of the best bass players to come out of Manchester If it wasn’t for him I probably wouldn’t be in New Order today. My thoughts go to his friends and family Big Love 💙. TC pic.twitter.com/epTNNDyxJo— Tom Chapman (@tommychap01) May 19, 2023
The Smiths were a huge part of my life, this is just awful news. Andy Rourke gave the band their drive, their energy – those amazing early gigs, where the bass held you, not letting you go. Just gutted. RIP https://t.co/Tk1O3bVsxz— Jesus Jones (@jesusjonesband) May 19, 2023
Garth Brooks stopped by The Kelly Clarkson Show on Thursday (May 18) to spill the tea on the time he found himself in the showers with none other than Steven Tyler. The country legend regaled host Kelly Clarkson with the story, which happened back in 2008 when he and the Aerosmith frontman performed with Billy […]
05/18/2023
This will be the seventh consecutive year that women have been invited to rock and roll’s annual party. (And not just as the +1s of male inductees.)
05/18/2023
For such an enduring anthem that continues to define wild, wild youth to this day, Nirvana‘s breakthrough 1991 hit “Smell Like Teen Spirit” is inscrutable at best. “A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido?” Not exactly
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According to late Nirvana singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain‘s widow, former Hole front woman Courtney Love, the lyrics Cobain didn’t use were somehow more byzantine. Love broke down some of the song’s scrapped lines during an appearance on Rob Harvilla’s The Ringer podcast 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s, an excellent series that has gone way beyond its title’s promise to tackle the tales behind such classics as the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage,” The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony,” Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby,” Los Del Rio’s “Macarena” and many, many more.
Love noted that some of the cutting room floor lines ended up in Cobain’s published journals, while others have never seen the light of day. When Harvilla asked if she would mind singing a few of them a cappella, Love obliged, first asking the host if he had a guitar while explaining that some were sketches in which Cobain was trying to work out the rhyme scheme for the song.
Love then sang the lines, “Come out and play/ Make up the rules/ I know I hope to buy the truth/ Who will be the king and queen of all the outcasted teens?” While those lyrics don’t resemble anything in the final, another couplet she sang was somewhat closer to the final chorus: “We’re so lazy and so stupid/ Blame our parents and the cupids/ A deposit for a bottle/ Stick it inside, no role model.”
She then went into another verse that went, “Come out and play/ Make up the rules/ Have lots of fun, we know we’ll lose/ Out little group has always been and always will until the end.” In a fascinating peek into at the subtle lyrical tweaks that can take a good song into all-time-classic, Love sang another couplet that was close, but not quite final. “Something I bought and don’t deserve/ To know, oh no, a dirty word/ Load up on guns and bring your friends/ I know, I know it’s wrong to offend/ Take off your clothes/ I’ll see you in court.”
She then ran through a verse that, again, provided a window into the germ that became an anthem of several generations. “We merge ahead, this special day/ This day giving amnesty to sacrilege/ A denial, and from strangers/ A revival, and from favors/ Here we are now, we’re so famous/ Here we are now, entertain us.”
Believe it or not, there was even more. “Come out and play and make up the rules/ I know I hope to buy the truth/ Who will be the king and queen of all the outcasted teens… We’re so lazy, and so stupid/ And from Vegas, here we are now, entertain us.” The final bit of lyrical leftovers included the lines, “I’ll take a slide, I’ll be over here/ Sustain a pride from a boring stare/ Just humor them, a relaxing dose/ To have a child is a selfish roast.”
Love said the unused lyrics reveal a alternate universe, what with the lines about the outcasted teens and the one about being famous at a time when the world hardly knew the group, not to mention the bit about Las Vegas, a city she said Cobain had never been to at that point. “The only consistencies it retains are ‘load up on guns’ and ‘our little group has always been until the end,’” she said. “There is no more. There is no other lyrics from ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit,’” she added, admitting she tends not to listen to Nirvana’s music.
The lengthy chat also included digressions into her buying Cobain a Leonard Cohen lyric book, the beginnings of Cobain’s private feud with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, which allegedly included Kurt saying Love “wasn’t allowed” to listen to PJ’s “Jeremy” while pregnant with the couple’s daughter, as well as talk about their heroin use and Kurt’s favorite band, The Melvins.
Listen to the episode below (“Teen Spirit” talk begins around the two-hour mark).
The National are proving that you can go home again. Again. The group, whose members were all born and raised in Cincinnati, announced on Wednesday (May 17) that they are bringing back their Homecoming festival to the Queen City. The lineup for the 2023 event will feature the “Fake Empire” group headlining both nights — Sept. 15 and 16 — with Patti Smith & Her Band, The Walkmen, Arooj Aftab, Bartees Strange, Carriers and Ballard filing out the first night’s roster.
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The second day will find them joined by Pavement, Weyes Blood, Snail Mail, Julia Jacklin, The Drin and Leo Pastel on the Icon Festival stage at Smale park on the banks of the Ohio River.
Though the sad dad quintet have scattered to the wind and all live in different cities now, their lyrics and hearts have continually pulled them back to their Southern Ohio homebase. “When we launched Homecoming in 2018, we were overwhelmed by the response from the community and by our renewed sense of connection to our hometown,” they wrote in a statement in which they promised to play a unique set each night. “It was such an exciting, memorable weekend and we’ve long hoped to bring it back. We’re honored to return to Cincinnati five years later and be joined by so many of our favorite musicians and friends.
Single-day, weekend and VIP passes will go on sale on Friday (May 19) at 10 a.m. ET.
The first Homecoming took place in April 2018 and also featured two unique National sets, along with performances by Father John Misty, Feist, The Breeders, Julien Baker, Future Islands, Alvvays, Big Thief, Lord Huron, Moses Sumney and more; a 2020 edition was scotched due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The National released their ninth studio album, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, earlier this month.
Check out the Homecoming announcement below.
Weezer became the latest stars to support the ongoing Hollywood writer’s strike on Wednesday (May 17) when they played an impromptu acoustic set at the Paramount Pictures lot for the picketers. Singer/guitarist Rivers Cuomo, guitarist Brian Bell and bassist Scott Shriner brought their guitars for the mini-set that included their 1994 hit “Buddy Holly” and […]
The Foo Fighters are gearing up for a summer of major shows by putting on a major show. The group announced on Wednesday morning (May 17) that they will preview songs from their upcoming 11th album, But Here We Are (June 2) during a free global streaming event they are calling “Foo Fighters: Preparing Music For Concerts.”
According to a release, the event will feature the debut performances of songs from their new album — their first since the shocking death of drummer Taylor Hawkins last March — as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and some surprises during the show from their 606 studios.
“Shows like this don’t happen every day. To take this moment to gather fans worldwide, to give people an opportunity to share in the experience no matter where they are, is a gift,” said Good Charlotte’s Joel Madden, CEO and founder of Veeps, the streaming platform hosting the gig. “Having a place to make these moments accessible is why we built Veeps and we’re honored to be trusted with delivering this incredible show for Foo Fighters and all of their fans. The show will premiere on Sunday (May 21) at 3 p.m. ET here.
In addition, the Foos released the second single from the album on Wednesday, the Greg Kurstin-produced mid-tempo rocker “Under You,” on which singer/guitarist Dave Grohl sings the wistful lyrics, “I woke up and walk a million miles today/ I’ve been looking up and down for you/ All this time it still just feels just like yesterday/ That I walked a million miles with you.” He later alludes to the loss of someone dear in the gut-punch verse, “Someone said I’ll never see your face again/ Part of me just can’t believe it’s true/ Pictures of us sharing songs and cigarettes/ This is how I’ll always picture you.”
While the band has not yet officially announced a replacement for longtime drummer Hawkins — who died at 50 while on tour with the Foos in South America — they are slated to make their road return on May 24 at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, N.H. They have a very full summer planned, including more than a dozen festival appearances at Boston Calling, Sonic Temple, Rock Am Ring, Bonnaroo, Ottawa Bluesfest, Harley-Davidson Homecoming, Fuji Rock, Wildlands, Outside Lands, Jazz Aspen Snowmass, Riot Fest, Sea.Hear.Now, Louder Than Life, Ohana and ACL as well as a number of North American and international headlining dates.
Produced by frequent collaborator Kurstin and the band, But Here We Are was described in a press release as “the first chapter of the band’s new life… a brutally honest and emotionally raw response to everything Foo Fighters endured over the last year… a testament to the healing powers of music, friendship and family. Courageous, damaged and unflinchingly authentic.”
“But Here We Are is the sound of brothers finding refuge in the music that brought them together in the first place 28 years ago, a process that was as therapeutic as it was about a continuation of life,” it promised.
Listen to “Under You” below.
Corey Taylor and Slipknot aren’t yet enshrined in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. And he’s ok with that. In fact, he “couldn’t care less” — in his own words.
“Oh Jesus. At this point, who gives a s*** really, to be honest,” the rocker told Audacy Check In. “It’s hard for me to say that they get it wrong because sometimes the people they induct 100% deserve it. But there are still so many groups that should go in before some of the ones that have. And it really upsets me. At this point it’s like, I don’t even know if I’ll be considered or something like that. And I couldn’t care less, to be honest.”
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The performer category for the Rock Hall is a stacked class, featuring Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, the late George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine, and The Spinners.
Slipknot cut its first record in 1996, and landed six titles in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart, including three No. 1s. They’ve been eligible since 2022, but the nu-metal act is waiting for its first nomination.
Speaking with Audacy’s Jason Bailey, Taylor likened Rock Hall induction to “a high-five at the end of your career.”
It’s not that he doesn’t want in, he has other things to do first. “I would rather have that later on. It’s just something I don’t really concern myself with.
“Would I be a stingy hog and want to be like the late, great David Crosby and be in there like four times? That would be great – if I could be in there for all three acts, that’d be killer. But, I don’t think I’m gonna even get in for one. So it’s fine. I’ve got better things to do,” he added.
Though talk of Rock Hall membership may be premature, Taylor reckons he’s in a purple patch with his own music. The Slipknot and Stone Sour singer is readying the release of CMF2, the followup to his 2020 debut solo effort CMFT, which peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums and No. 11 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. The forthcoming album, “it eats the first one and spits it out,” he claims, adding he was “really proud” of the debut, but it “felt like where we were coming from and this album feels like where we’re going.”Expect something for everyone who likes heavy music. Taylor and Co. “decided to up the stakes, the music is more expansive, there’s heavier stuff, there’s darker stuff it paints with the whole palate like the first album, but there’s not there, man. To me, it’s the best rock album of this year and next year. It’s that good.”CMFT is due out Sept. 15. Fan get a taste of things to come with new cut “Beyond,” the official music video for which is below.