A mural of The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke, showing him when he was “incredibly happy and shining so brilliantly as a musician”, has been unveiled.
The street art of Rourke, who died aged 59 of pancreatic cancer in 2023, depicts a photo of him while on tour with the band and has gone on display on the side of The Wheatsheaf pub in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, the same city where the band was formed.
Bandmate Mike Joyce helped crowdfund for the mural, with any extra cash raised set to go charity Pancreatic Cancer Action.
Joyce said his friend had died “far too young” and the mural – created by street artist Akse-P19 – was a tribute to “celebrate his life and his contribution to music”.
Video journalism by Isobel Fry, Radio Manchester
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