Andy Rourke, the bassist for The Smiths, has died of pancreatic cancer, his former bandmate and childhood friend Johnny Marr announced overnight.

The death over the weekend of legendary record man Seymour Stein has unleashed a torrent of heartfelt appreciations from the musicians he championed.

Morrissey, for some reason, posted an open letter to Johnny Marr on his website today imploring his former Smiths bandmate to stop mentioning his name in interviews.

Johnny Marr returned this week with new music, debuting “Spirit Power & Soul” off his upcoming 4-song EP Fever Dreams Pt. 1. You can hear the song via the video below, and the EP — out Oct. 15 — is available for preorder digitally and as on limited-edition silver vinyl. Check out the song right here.

Here’s a free guitar lesson from Johnny Marr in the form of an advertisement for Fender guitars and amps. The former Smiths guitarist uses this 8-minute video to first perform then teach viewers how to play “The Headmaster Ritual,” the iconic opening track to 1985’s Meat is Murder. Watch it right here.

The complete take of The Smiths’ first known recording — a bedroom tape featuring Johnny Marr and Steven Patrick Morrissey performing The Cookies’ “I Want A Boy For My Birthday” in August 1982 — appeared online Sunday, courtesy of an early associate of the band. Hear the full song right here.

Johnny Marr has seemingly shot down the latest rumor of a reunion by The Smiths, replying on Twitter to a fan’s question about the report of a 2020 tour by the long-defunct band –“Is this crap, mate?” — by simply saying, “Nigel Farage on guitar.” Full details of the alleged reunion rumor right here.

Johnny Marr has been known to invite his lifelong friend Billy Duffy onstage during his solo shows, and a few nights ago in Manchester, The Cult guitarist returned the favor, bringing the ex-Smiths guitarist out in Manchester to play “Rain,” off his band’s 1985 album Love. See footage of it right here.

Though he’s still out touring in support of last year’s full-length Call the Comet, Johnny Marr, has now released his second new, non-album single of the year, following up February’s synth-splashed “Armatopia” with “The Bright Parade,” a guitar-heavy rocker. Check it out right here.

A pair of legendary Manchester musicians — New Order’s Bernard Sumner and The Smiths’ Johnny Marr — shared the stage in Athens, Greece, on Sunday for a one-song reunion of their former band Electronic, performing the 1991 single “Get the Message.” Watch it right here.

Johnny Marr today announced that he’s being forced to postpone the first three dates of his upcoming North American tour — concerts in Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., and Raleigh, N.C. — “with much sadness and frustration” over visa issues. Full details and full tour itinerary right here.

It’s been a big week for Johnny Marr, first with the announcement of a new round of North American touring in support of his third solo album Call the Comet, and now the release of a new non-album single: the synth-splashed, Electronic-reminiscent “Armatopia.” Check it out right here.

Former Smiths guitar slinger Johnny Marr today announced plans for a second round of touring in North America behind his third solo album, Call the Comet, following up dates last September and November with 19 new dates in the U.S. and Canada in April and May. See full dates here.