Smiths bassist becomes music mogul

Former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke has been appointed director of A&R for US music marketing firm The Musicbox.

Among his responsibilities will be finding and developing new and upcoming talent, according to WENN.

"I look forward to working with the team in finding and nurturing some talented newbies, taking them up level by level and helping them achieve their full potential as artists and professionals," he said.

Rourke joined The Smiths (which also included Morrissey, Johnny Marr and Mike Royce) in 1982 and remained a member of the band until they split in 1987.

Last year, Morrissey dismissed rumours that the group will perform a reunion gig in 2009.