Johnny Marr, the legendary guitarist of The Smiths, is set to auction 80 guitars from his personal collection at Christie's in London on September 17, with total proceeds expected to exceed £1 million. The sale, titled Marr's Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection, includes instruments used to craft some of the most iconic songs in indie rock history.
Iconic Guitars and Expected Prices
Among the standout lots is a 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, which inspired Marr to write the classic Smiths track Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now. This guitar, purchased for him in 1983 by Sire Records founder Seymour Stein after Marr joked the band would sign if Stein bought him a new guitar, is expected to fetch between £100,000 and £150,000. Another highlight is the 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, used on early Smiths recordings and tours, featured on the cover of Oasis's debut single Supersonic after Marr lent it to Noel Gallagher. It is estimated to sell for £60,000 to £80,000.
Also included is a Cherry 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard, bought for The Smiths' second album Meat Is Murder (1985) and used on their final tour. This guitar, later played on records by New Order, The The, The Cribs, and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, is valued at £80,000 to £120,000. A Comet Sparkle 2017 Fender Johnny Marr Signature Jaguar, used on Billie Eilish's James Bond theme for No Time To Die (2021), is expected to reach £8,000 to £12,000.
Charity Component and Exhibition
Marr will donate 100% of the hammer price from 10 lots to the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the National Autistic Society. The collection will be previewed in New York from June 25 to July 1, then at Christie's London from September 9 to 16, free and open to the public.
In a statement, Marr said: "I have loved guitars for as long as I can remember, since the first one I got at the age of five. 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. Writing Marr's Guitars (his book) in 2023 gave me the perfect excuse to bring all of these instruments together... 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's Recent and Upcoming Work
The auction coincides with the announcement of Marr's new solo album, The Age Of Everything, set for release on October 2, his first studio album in four years. Marr, 62, rose to fame with The Smiths, who released four critically acclaimed albums between 1984 and 1987, including The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come. The band achieved three UK top 10 singles and influenced generations of musicians before disbanding in 1987. Marr's solo career began with The Messenger in 2013, and all his solo albums have charted in the UK top 10.
