The Smiths’ Mike Joyce launches crowdfunder for permanent mural of Andy Rourke

16 September, 2024

Andy Rourke

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has launched a crowdfunding campaign to create a permanent mural of late bassist Andy Rourke – find out more below.

On Sunday (September 15), Joyce took to social media to share that he has launched a campaign on the Crowdfunder platform. The campaign aims to secure a permanent mural of Rourke in Manchester to honour his legacy and impact.

Additionally, the campaign will also raise funds for the charity organisation Pancreatic Cancer Action. This is notable as Rourke had died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 59 last year.

The money raised from the campaign will go directly to the creation of the mural and will cover expenses such as “artist fees, materials, scissor lift hire, permits, and other associated costs including the production/packaging/shipping of prints”. Any money raised beyond the campaign’s £15,500 target will go towards the Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Joyce said in a statement: “Thanks to this Crowdfunder, fans of Andy and The Smiths can contribute to a permanent memorial in his and the band’s hometown of Manchester, but also increase awareness of this debilitating disease and raise money for the charity Pancreatic Cancer Action.

“The mural will not only serve as a permanent tribute to Andy’s legacy as a brilliant musician but also as a memory of the funniest, sweetest lad I had the pleasure of knowing.”

So far, £3,541 has been raised. The mural is expected to be unveiled in November, and donors are due to receive a photograph print of the mural signed by Joyce and the mural artist.

ROYAL OAK, MI – JUNE 8: (L-R) English guitarist Johnny Marr, English singer Morrissey, English drummer Mike Joyce and English bassist Andy Rourke of The Smiths pose for a portrait before their first show in Detroit during the 1985 Meat Is Murder Tour on June 8, 1985 at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. (Photo by Ross Marino/Getty Images)

In other Smiths-related news, Morrissey last week claimed that a ‘Greatest Hits’ album had been approved by Warner Records, but that guitarist Johnny Marr was blocking its release. He also said that the compilation would’ve come with a ‘Hand In Glove’ reissue, “a deluxe box release of The Smiths’ first album” and “a new 7-inch” of their 1992 track ‘This Charming Man’.

Late last month, he revealed that Marr had “ignored” a lucrative offer from AEG Entertainment Group to reunite the band. Morrissey claimed at the time that he had agreed to the offer, which would’ve seen The Smiths tour “throughout 2025”.

Morrissey also said his former band’s popularity had not waned as it was all about “a refusal to surrender to enemy propaganda”. “The Smiths do not end,” the ex-frontman wrote. In January, the soloist claimed that he had been “deleted” from the “essence” and history of The Smiths.

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