Johnny Marr is set to auction several guitars used with The Smiths and on his upcoming solo album, The Age Of Everything. The sale, titled Marr's Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection, will take place on September 17 at Christie's in London, with highlights on display in New York from June 25 to July 1 and in London from September 9 to 16.
Key Guitars in the Auction
The auction includes Marr's 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, which inspired him to write Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now. The guitar was purchased for him in 1983 by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein after Marr joked The Smiths would sign to the label if Stein bought him a new guitar. It is expected to fetch between £100,000 and £150,000.
Also featured is his recognizable 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, used throughout the recording of The Smiths' debut album and early tours. This guitar can be heard on songs like What Difference Does It Make? and This Charming Man, and is expected to fetch between £60,000 and £80,000. Notably, it appeared on the cover of Oasis's debut single Supersonic after Marr lent it to Noel Gallagher during early sessions for Definitely Maybe.
Additional Lots and Estimates
Marr's Cherry 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard, bought for The Smiths' second album Meat Is Murder (1985) and used on the 1985 tour and the final song of their last concert in December 1986, is expected to fetch between £80,000 and £120,000. Marr noted the instrument has also been used on records by New Order, The The, The Cribs, and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
A Comet Sparkle 2017 Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar, used on Billie Eilish's James Bond theme for No Time To Die (2021), is among the 95 lots with an estimate of £8,000 to £12,000.
Charity Donations
Marr will donate 100 per cent of the hammer price from 10 lots to benefit the Guide Dogs For The Blind Association and the National Autistic Society. 'I have loved guitars for as long as I can remember, since the first one I got at the age of five,' Marr, 62, said. 'Each guitar I have acquired over the past 50 years or so has helped me evolve as a musician, bringing new songs, new sounds and techniques.'
Background and Upcoming Album
Writing Marr's Guitars in 2023 gave him the excuse to bring all these instruments together. 'The book turned out to be a cathartic experience and when it was time for these beautiful instruments to go back into storage, I couldn't imagine them being put away and left unplayed,' he added. 'It's bittersweet to be parting with these guitars but I want them to go to new homes and new people who will love them as much as I have.'
Marr announced last week that he will release The Age Of Everything, his first studio album in four years, on October 2. With The Smiths, completed by singer Morrissey, bass player Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, Marr pioneered 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, including 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 solo albums charting in the UK top 10.
