Johnny Marr: The Smiths & The Art Of Gun-Slinging – Paperback Book

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Johnny Marr: The Smiths & The Art Of Gun-Slinging – Paperback Book

Johnny Marr is an English musician, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the co-founder and guitarist of the influential alternative rock band The Smiths. Born on October 31, 1963, in Manchester, England, Marr formed The Smiths in 1982 with vocalist Morrissey, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce.

As the guitarist of The Smiths, Marr’s distinctive jangly guitar style and melodic sensibility played a crucial role in defining the band’s sound. He co-wrote many of the band’s most iconic songs, including ‘This Charming Man,’ ‘How Soon Is Now?,’ and ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out.’

After The Smiths disbanded in 1987, Marr pursued a successful career as a session musician, collaborating with a diverse range of artists such as The Pretenders, Bryan Ferry, Electronic, and Modest Mouse. He also formed his own bands, including Johnny Marr and the Healers and The Cribs.

In addition to his work as a guitarist, Marr has released several solo albums, including ‘The Messenger’ (2013), ‘Playland’ (2014), and ‘Call the Comet’ (2018). Throughout his career, Marr has been acclaimed for his innovative guitar playing, songwriting talents, and lasting influence on alternative rock music.

The shimmering, muscular guitar pop of The Smiths shone like a beacon through the 1980s as they took up the mantle of the best British band since The Beatles. Their unparalleled musicality inspired a generation of popular bands including Oasis, the Stone Roses, and Radiohead.

Johnny Marr was behind that sound, and has proved to be a gun-slinger without equal, a guitarist who rode the longest highways to find the most perfect sounds, and who built the gilt-edged frames in which the lyrical portraits of co-writer Morrissey sat so perfectly. While he may well be remembered forever for the haunting intro to ‘How Soon Is Now?’ Marr has not slowed down creatively, inspiring a generation of younger listeners through his work with The Cribs, and even working with Hans Zimmer on the stunning soundtrack to the critically-acclaimed blockbuster Inception.

He remains as influential and important as ever. Filled with insight and musical lore, this book traces the incredible story of how the son of Irish immigrants rose to become the iconic architect of a new sound for British guitar music.