Ahead of Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection auction on 17 September at Christie’s London, Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher visit the exhibition to talk guitars, memories and their 35-year friendship. This is a rare glimpse into the shared history, and shared guitars, behind two world-renowned songwriting icons.
The Marr’s Guitars exhibition is open now at Christie’s London until 17 September, spotlighting the pioneering sound, songwriting and influence of Johnny Marr. An unprecedented opportunity for fans and collectors all over the world, the sale presents approximately 80 guitars, amongst 111 lots in total, each guitar integral to Marr’s extraordinarily wide-ranging music. Johnny Marr will donate 100% of the hammer price of 31 lots to benefit The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.
Speaking about the 1982 Rickenbacker 330, widely recognised as the sound of The Smiths’ debut album and the guitar that Johnny wrote the iconic singles This Charming Man and What Difference Does It Make with, Noel Gallagher said:
“You’ve always been a bit gung ho with your guitars, because I remember the day when Oasis was recording Definitely Maybe for the first time, and you sent down some guitars, because we had one guitar each! Someone took it out and just put it on the floor so it would look like we were a working band. It’s on the cover of Supersonic. I remember looking at it on the floor, going, that can not be The Smiths’ guitar. There’s no way he’s sent that down here to a load of geezers from Longsight! I was like, you better take that back, mate! What if someone stands on it!”
Johnny Marr responded, talking about the infamous Gibson ES-355 bought for him by Seymour Stein of Sire Records in 1984, Seymour’s promise to Johnny if The Smiths agreed to sign with Sire: “So many people associate me over the years with the Ricky’, but most people associate you with a red 355.”
Citing Johnny’s inspiration, Noel Gallagher said: “I got mine because of seeing you on Top of the Pops! Those, to me, are the best guitars ever made.”
Johnny Marr said: “In spite of that, and you making that famous, I think of you with a Les Paul.”
Noel Gallagher: “Well, you’ve referred to the Les Paul as the ultimate guitar. You’ve been to do a few sessions with me, and you always bring that.”
Johnny Marr: “Well the reason I brought it to play on your album is because I’ve got to this point now where I know why people get me in. I know what you would want. Your solo stuff goes in all different directions.”
Noel Gallagher: “So what are you gonna do now then? You’re not playing on my records without that!”
Johnny Marr: “Well, I was gonna talk to you about that. I’ve got another one with nine pick ups on!”
Noel Gallagher: “There’s a funny story behind that one…”
Marr’s Guitars at Christie’s lands amongst a huge year for Johnny Marr. His new album The Age of Everything is released on October 2nd via BMG and is already receiving acclaim from critics and fans alike. Currently on the BBC Radio 2 A-List, new single ‘It’s Time’ is a defiant call to arms, bursting into a widescreen anthem capturing Johnny’s songwriting at its most exhilarating. The song has been praised by MOJO as a “standout from Marr’s latest album: a triple threat protest song that hits the sweet spot.”
The music video was filmed earlier this year at Johnny’s biggest headline show of his solo career. A sold out homecoming performance at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl treating fans to a high energy set of classics, hits, and an abundance of brand new and unreleased music.
On October 22nd Thames & Hudson will publish an illustrated, enhanced and reformatted anniversary edition of Johnny’s acclaimed autobiography, Set the Boy Free. Featuring previously unseen archival photography, a new introduction, a personal eulogy for Johnny’s friend and The Smiths’ bassist Andy Rourke, and a foreword by Noel Gallagher, the edition celebrates the Sunday Times Best selling book’s 10th anniversary.
Since launching his solo career Johnny has scored five UK Top 10 albums, released the bestselling autobiography Set The Boy Free, recorded the James Bond theme for No Time To Die with Billie Eilish, received the Ivor Novello Inspiration Award, and an Academy Award nomination for his work with Hans Zimmer on Inception.
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