Legendary guitarist Johnny Marr talks about four decades in music and still having as much passion for it as ever.
In the land of guitar virtuosos and musical innovators, Johnny Marr stands as a beacon of evolution and influence. His passage from the jangling riffs of The Smiths to his multifaceted solo career encapsulates artistry, intelligence, and no small quantity of resilience in an industry that has changed beyond all comparison in recent years.
“It was all about the sound,” Johnny Marr begins. “We are living in a very different world now than we were back in the Eighties, but every genre of music remains, and people consume the stuff like never before. Ultimately, the truth is if you have melody, passion and sound, you have the product.”
Marr started out with iconic Manchester indie giants The Smiths. “We wanted to create something that wasn’t just music, but a movement,” he says, “in the much the same way digital music feels like a movement now.
“It was no different back then – MTV was getting started and people viewed the industry as this evolving monster that was getting out of control. So when you look at it that way there’s really not much difference to now.”
Inspired by the vocals of Morrissey and the impeccable skills of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, The Smiths propelled themselves to the forefront of people’s minds. Marr’s guitar work – a blend of melodic inventiveness and an iconic jangly sound – became a defining element of the band’s identity.
The legacy of songs like This Charming Man and How Soon Is Now? is etched in music history, a testament to the guitarist’s innovative approach. Yet even after his departure from The Smiths in 1987, Johnny Marr’s journey was far from over.
“I was always looking for the next challenge, the next sound,” he says of his post-Smiths era.
He explored different genres and collaborations, notably with Electronic, where he and New Order’s Bernard Sumner fused synth-pop with guitar. This period of Marr’s career highlighted his versatility and willingness to experiment.
The turn of the millennium saw Johnny Marr lending his talents to various bands, from The The to Modest Mouse and later The Cribs.
He recalls, “Each band was a different chapter, a different part of me, and gave me the confidence and belief that I could offer something as a solo artist, which is what came next.”
Sure enough, a debut solo album, at the age of 50, emerged, entitled The Messenger. Reflecting on this, Marr says, “Going solo was like starting anew, yet with all the experience I’d gathered.”
His subsequent albums, such as Playland and Call the Comet, were both a continuation and an evolution of his musical identity, earning critical acclaim and showcasing his growth as a songwriter and musician.
An inspiration to so many, the Mancunian’s influence extends right across the musical landscape. His innovative spirit and skill have earned him numerous accolades, including NME’s Godlike Genius Award in 2013.
“It’s not just about playing guitar,” he muses. “It’s about creating something that resonates, that lasts.”
Now into his sixties, he continues to push musical boundaries. “The journey doesn’t end. There’s always a new melody, a new idea around the corner, albeit playing live has become the elixir for artists.
“I mean, it always was,” he states, “but financially it is the only way to survive now. And anyway, playing live is where the magic happens – there’s an energy, a connection with the audience that’s irreplaceable. Each city, each gig, it’s a new adventure, a new story, and I’m still turning the pages.”
