The Smiths' guitarist Johnny Marr will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Sky Arts Awards on October 13. The musician, 62, will be recognised for his songwriting and “enduring influence on modern music”.
The Smiths and solo career
With The Smiths – completed by singer Morrissey, bass player Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce – Marr was one of the pioneers of British indie rock in the 1980s. The band released four critically acclaimed studio albums: The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Murder (1985), The Queen Is Dead (1986), and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987), before breaking up in 1987.
They achieved three UK top 10 singles and were best known for songs such as How Soon Is Now?, This Charming Man and Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now. Marr launched his solo career with 2013 album The Messenger, with all his solo albums charting in the UK top 10.
Recent collaborations and ceremony details
Recently, Marr has written and recorded with Gorillaz, Billie Eilish, Franz Ferdinand and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. The Sky Arts Awards have been given annually since 1997 and recognise British and Irish achievement in the arts.
This year’s ceremony will feature a curated performance from Scottish tenor Nicky Spence, joined by writer, broadcaster and priest Reverend Richard Coles. Together with the London Gay Men’s Chorus, Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ choir, they will deliver a “celebration of arts, music and community”.
The awards will be co-hosted by Sir Grayson Perry and musician Self Esteem, real name Rebecca Taylor, who will also perform together. Awards will be given in the categories of classical music, comedy, dance, film, literature, opera, poetry, popular music, television, theatre and visual art. The Sky Arts Awards can be watched on Sky Arts, Freeview and streaming service NOW at 9pm.
