The Smiths star Mike Joyce has pledged his support for a mural of the late Andy Rourke at a pub in the Northern Quarter . Regarded as one of the greatest bassists of his generation, Rourke, who grew up in Ashton-on-Mersey , passed away at the age of 59 last May following a ‘lengthy’ battle with pancreatic cancer. Known for his role in The Smiths from 1982 until their split five years later, Rourke also recorded with the likes of Sinéad O'Connor, Ian Brown and the Pretenders throughout his career.
READ MORE: Dodgy taxis, shady ice cream vans and rammed streets: How Oasis' huge Heaton Park gigs will be handled Now, more than a year after his passing, The Smiths drummer Joyce has joined forces with the Pancreatic Cancer Action charity for a fundraiser that aims to create a mural and lasting tribute to Rourke in his home city. The mural, which will be designed by local street artist Akse P19, will be based at The Wheatsheaf pub, near Mackie Mayor and Gulliver’s, on Oak Street. It will be based on a photo of the musician taken at Caird Hall in Dundee in 1985 by tour photographer Nalinee Darmrong.
Andy Rourke (left), performing alongside Jonny Marr (Image: @jonnymarrgram/Instagram) Set to be unveiled in November to coincide with Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, Joyce said he hopes the mural will celebrate Rourke’s legacy for decades to come. "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 funnies.