Andy Rourke of The Smiths mural

A very special final Crowdfunder reward: at 8pm GMT on 4 December 2024 - we will be going live with our final reward for the campaign's fundraiser. We'll be offering 35 x limited edition postcards (4 x 6 inches and inside official commemorative envelopes) with the image of the original photo of Andy, by Nalinee Darmrong (which inspired the mural painted by Akse-P19). 

We were honoured to have Nalinee come over from Washington DC for the unveiling and she kindly designed and signed the post-cards, which are a throw-back of the original The Smiths post-cards that Rough Trade Records issued back in the 1980s.

Note. 15 (out of the 50 available) postcards will be included in our draw to win one of four The Smiths albums - see below. These will be runner-up prizes. 

Win! Everyone who donates £10 or more will be entered into a prize draw to win one of four albums by The Smiths:

• The Queen is Dead

• Strangeways Here We Come

• The Smiths 

• Meat is Murder

Each signed & with a personal message by Mike Joyce (albums kindly donated by Warner Music UK). 

Prize includes a collectable post-card photo of Andy Rourke - signed by Nalinee Darmrong whose photo inspired the mural (see update for details)

A mural for Andy...

On 19 May 2023, the tragic news broke that after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, Andy Rourke, the pioneering bass player for The Smiths, had passed away.

As part of the legendary Mancunian foursome, Rourke created a soundscape which changed the course of music for not just a generation, but for popular culture the world over.

Andy’s unique style, combining funk rhythms and driving urgency, form the very aural framework for The Smiths’ songbook. His self-effacing sense of humour and laid back personality often belayed the indisputable impact of his creative genius. 

Why a mural? With fans the world over often revealing that The Smiths played a significant role in their lives, it seems appropriate that Rourke’s legacy be celebrated in a creative way in his home city of Manchester, UK, which can be viewed for decades to come. 

The mural, in partnership with the charity, Pancreatic Cancer Action, will be brought to life by world-renowned street artist Akse, with a striking image credited to The Smiths’ 1985/1986 UK/USA tour photographer, Nalinee Darmrong, who has kindly given her blessing to the project. The photo was taken at the Caird Hall in Dundee in 1985.

The mural will be officially unveiled in November (Thursday, 21 November 2024) - Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month - at a special celebration (details to be announced later). 

Mike Joyce, drummer with The Smiths, who initiated the project and fundraiser, says: “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." 

He adds: "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. Many thanks, Mike.”

Your donations will go directly towards the creation of this artwork, covering essential expenses such as artist fees, materials, scissor lift hire, permits, and other associated costs including the production/packaging/shipping of prints (see Rewards section).

Outside of the UK? Don't worry, international fans of Andy Rourke and The Smiths can donate and your amount will be converted by your bank. 

All prints would be signed by Akse P19 and Mike Joyce. Postage will be covered for UK and international donors. 

All funds raised above our target amount will be donated to the charity Pancreatic Cancer Action.

Special thanks to: Lisa and Robert from the Wheatsheaf Pub and Chris Napier at Admiral Taverns for their support. Our appreciation to Collette Walsh of CW Media for coordinating the promotion and media relations of the project and fund-raiser. 

About The Artist

Akse P19 is a Street Artist based in Manchester and he has been painting murals since 1992. He focuses on photo-realistic portraits, and over the last 15 years his subjects have ranged from Marcus Rashford to Captain Tom Moore, through to musicians such as Ian Curtis, The Prodigy’s Keith Flint and David Bowie. As a Street Artist he strives to inspire and uplift local communities through the subjects he paints.

About Pancreatic Cancer Action

Pancreatic Cancer Action is the only UK charity dedicated to saving lives through early diagnosis. 

Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest of all common cancers. In the UK, 93% of all patients die within 5 years of diagnosis. Your vital support means we can continue to raise awareness of the symptoms to ensure early diagnosis and enable life-saving treatment. 

Please visit panact.org to find out more information.

Rewards:

• NEW! One of 5 albums by The Smiths - signed by Mike Joyce and with a personal message too - rewards include a collectable signed post-card of Andy Rourke - see the Rewards section for more info.
• Limited edition of 100x A4 prints of the mural for people who pledge £50
• Limited edition of 30x A3 prints of the mural for people who pledge £100

See the rewards section for more details. 

New rewards to be announced soon!