Johnny Marr, the legendary guitarist known for his work with The Smiths and his successful solo career, is set to release a new book titled Marr’s Guitars on October 17th via Harper Design. This unique book will feature Marr’s extensive guitar collection as a way to explore his life and career, with each instrument associated with a particular moment, song, or sound.
Marr’s Guitars will cover a wide range of topics, from his early days as a musician to his time with The Smiths, as well as his recent projects including collaborations with renowned composer Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack for the James Bond film, No Time to Die. The book will be accompanied by stunning photographs shot by Pat Graham, adding visual elements to Marr’s stories.
In a statement, Marr expressed his excitement about the book, saying, “Guitars have been the obsession of my life…they’ve been a mission and sometimes a lifeline. So I’m delighted to have made Marr’s Guitars. It’s very different to other guitar books and is more of an art book, with stories of songs and sounds. It’s been a long time coming and a labour of love.”
Guitar enthusiasts will be thrilled to find out that Marr’s book will feature some of his longtime favorite guitars, such as the Rickenbacker 330, the Gibson ES-355, and the Johnny Marr Signature Fender Jaguar. Marr will also share stories about guitars that were gifted to him by fellow musicians over the years, including a Stratocaster from Nile Rodgers, a Hargstrom from Bryan Ferry, and an acoustic from Bert Jasnch. Additionally, Marr will discuss guitars by Mirovox guitar amplifiers that he has gifted to his musician friends, such as a Stratocaster used by Noel Gallagher on Oasis’ “Wonderwall” and a Gibson Les Paul used by Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien on In Rainbows.
Marr has been involved in various projects in recent years, including the release of his fourth solo album, Fever Dreams Pts. 1 – 4, and a collaboration with Noel Gallagher on the song “Pretty Boy” for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds album. However, one of the most notable moments for Marr was reuniting with former Smiths bassist Andy Rourke last November for their first recording together in 35 years. The song, titled “Strong Forever,” was released by Blitz Vega, a group featuring Rourke and former Happy Mondays guitarist Kav Blaggers.
With Marr’s unique perspective on his life and career, as well as his deep connection to guitars, Marr’s Guitars promises to be a must-read for music and guitar enthusiasts alike. Fans can pre-order the book now and look forward to diving into Marr’s personal stories and memories associated with his iconic guitars when it is released in October.