Tony Fletcher and Andy Rourke Discuss The Smiths

Who was Morrissey? What about Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce? Writer/Journalist Tony Fletcher was granted rare access not only to members of The Smiths, but also to never before seen letters and personal memos. Fletcher weaves together with copious detail and thorough research the story of the band from its infancy to its demise. Despite the band's tragic breakup at the height of their success, His book "A Light that Never Goes Out" is a celebration of four working-class kids from northern England who changed the music world.
Bass guitarist Andy Rourke, former member of The Smiths, joins Fletcher for the Q&A.
December 17, 2012

[@RikiNewtonMusicianSongwriter]

Love Andy Rourke - his contribution to The Smiths was enormous - they definitely wouldn't have been half as good without his exemplary bass playing skills. Tony Fletcher's biog on Keith Moon was just a brilliant read - one of the best music biog's I've ever read for sure - pure excitement from start to finish. Felt like you right there with Keith a lot of the time. Sorry about moving off topic a bit there. Just remember kids - I fucking LOVE The Smiths. Peace. Rx

[@mueford]

save yourself fifty minutes :. " it came to a horrible end but, the music still stands up " ~ Andy Rourke

[@sammclean4000]

It jumps up

[@lukeparris9419]

It leaps miles above everyone else and shits all over them

[@marknoir3613]

Andy is such a legend

[@frankhernandez6883]

what a GIANT of a band!

[@tat3w]

My right ear loves this video

[@Noodleydoo]

I'm reading Tony's book on The Smiths--It's really excellent and not just a re-hash of what's gone before.

[@troygaspard6732]

Why they may have been less popular, I loved The Wooden Tops and Loyd Cole . I never saw MTV play the Derick Jarmam video for The Queen is Dead. Rough Trade was happy with The Smiths, and did not want to mess with a good thing.

[@jamesrobert4106]

RIP Andy Rourke 🙏

[@johnbarry1965]

I laughed when Andy said " We had lots of moments with Morrissey........" and I think we all knew what he meant.

[@crz170]

RIP Andy.

[@burrenmagic]

Cool guy around 39:12. They are indeed the greatest band ever.

[@NealDamiano]

Why they’re not in the R&RHOF still, baffles me it’s dumbfounding!

[@GedKeogan-n9w]

Still gripping 😊

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Empty seats? Dang…I would have driven up there for this.

[@Jackmc2112]

There I was in 1984 stuck watching Duran Duran, Haircut 100 and F’n Madonna all because Morrissey wouldn’t make a video. That’s why they didn’t have a hit in the US. Skipping Live Aid also a big mistake. They had the #1 album In the UK and would have stolen the show.

[@13strange67]

So remind me again : which part of that non-essential part of the lawn-mower was Andy ?

[@johnbarry1965]

Rogan's book was too close to the end ,I think a few years space and perspective is needed.I'm reading Tony's at the moment and it is great.

[@patrickdoval]

Awesome!

[@grimmwerks]

Ha I remember playing one of Tony Fletcher’s nights at Limelight

[@leearmstrong9325]

30mins of talking at 100mph with a irritating loud inhaling noise over the microphone every 5secs. And did someone shit in that woman’s handbag that’s sitting down?

[@ioangriffith6013]

wtf is going on with andys left leg. looks like its bending backwards

[@171sheffutd]

tony:says a word, then 'haaaaaaaaaah'

[@cerberusmuzak]

I'm reading Tony's Smiths Biography

[@falcoholzen5351]

An

[@n136h]

No Matt Penfield? Fuck that shit!! I'm off

[@jahmark9336]

Can someone get that Manc some more synthetic opiates, pls?

[@harryharr74]

Andy s been on the Remi Martin again

[@punkinmyvitamins1]

Not justifying Morrissey’s behavior but at the same time we can’t get too upset about what actions let to the band breaking up. It happened the way it was meant to happen. Morrissey obviously has his issues and expecting him and all the other members to sit through all the drama just so someone else is happy with the music isn’t worth it. Even though the music I made wasn’t great i still listen to it sometimes and it hurts to hear how good it sounded (to me haha) but then I remember the guys I made it with and remember why I quit the band. So much ego and little talent….

[@guitarpop]

*inhale*

[@neilmorrow9756]

😂😂😂