Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr talks about meeting Morrissey

Another (out-take) clip from the Detroit/Manchester film I made with Dj Elliott Eastwick. Here The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr describes his first meeting with Morrissey and their shared taste in soul music. Also a bit about their first gig...

[@panterxbeats]

The B Side to Paper Boy is "You're The One", which is what they (first) listened to... quite fitting...

[@soupersonic]

I agree. Thanks for the info. Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3WpcqiKjtiCsLs

[@markzee6331]

'You're The One' is actually the A-side. 'Paper Boy' is the B, but who cares? Fascinating listening to Johnny talk about records

[@ayodyasesa5670]

he remembered it all too well

[@andrejohnson6731]

Not only is the content great, but it is absolutely astonishing that this video is 17 years old!!!

[@patrikgabrielsson2135]

The most underrated guitarist ever.

[@Devsfan202]

think he gets some recognition

[@CoseACaso]

Not that underrated, people recognize he's a great guitar player, and he's also on the Rolling Stones ranking "100 greatest guitarists of all time": www.imdb.com/list/ls066632618/

[@lynchmaleideal]

CoseACaso at 51 though :/ he should be much higher

[@jeffersonaeroplane5197]

Well do people put these comments about guitarists like Marr being underrated? Anybody who plays or knows guitar, knows what he’s capable of and his worth. He’s rated by his peers. That’s not being underrated.

[@Liam.2000]

He isnt underrated at all, he’s very well known as one of the best

[@damonjon]

band of my adolescence and still my fav to this day. Nothing sings to my soul as effectively as these guys

[@cosmeticshrimp]

You're right, when I listen to Morrissey, (after The Smiths), the lyrics are still brilliant, but without Johnny Marr's guitar, the magic doesn't happen. They are, together, magic.

[@simonedgbaston]

🔥 A different career since 88 as he was in The Smiths but still Morrissey makes the music magic with what he brings no matter what it is as in the case of his former band. I love all Morrisseys music but his solo career pro 91 was of similar standard to The Smiths. Although not popular Kill uncle is a wonderful album but His work which has followed with Boz & Alain & the others has been amazing I can't fault it especially since Jesse has Joined the band & live they sound astounding in recent decades but Boz said they planned to broaden the sound as members changed at Morrisseys at request. Also his vocal range Is amazing. But unfortunately the UK media will always it seems crow on only about The Smiths & some people let them 🎸

[@ghostrider2664]

Boz is a master of his craft, an incredible talent and THE most humble and personable guy. Johnny Marr cannot be touched, but Boz is the best alternative and has served his boss quite well over the years.

[@Scrap5000]

He needs more shadows and darkness in this room.

[@caryllg]

the man is class- fabulous insight

[@samsblues]

Love this guitarist

[@albeleo1177]

Man thanks so much for posting this. Always great to hear Johnny Marr's stories.

[@andrewcounts7136]

They Tackled The World…🌾🌾🌾

[@deathcherub333]

Yes, I love his playing 'specialy in How Soon is Now,,,

[@Perhapsy]

This sort of blew my mind a little... the motown connection is so powerful and pervasive... at 3:41 marr makes a comment about the intro to "there is a light" he says, "that's me doing the velvets (the velvet underground) doing marvin gaye's 'hitchike'." personally, I think overlooks one step in the process: it's really Marr doing the Velvet Underground doing the Rolling Stones (their cover of "Hitchhike" doing Marvin Gaye...

[@StopMoColorado]

Perhapsy - I think he really means "The Velvets", a Motown quintet from the fifties/sixties. Listen to "Tonight"...I hear stains of this tune in "There Is a Light," myself, especially the bass section and rhythm...

[@asifitsme]

the intro to there is a light that never goes out always reminded me of lola by the kinks...

[@mattilevi]

You are exactly right. LoL. Noel also admitted that he liked Marr's look and made himself look like Marr. Check out the interview.

[@xsfmachine]

Man, is he making new stuff these days? I always dug his guitar riffs and tunes~ Stellar video upload here...just too classy!

[@Devsfan202]

So interesting how he explains their n musical influences

[@Figfilm]

@SteveGad Hi. Thanks for your comment. The whole film was made for Urbis and is owned by them. Now Urbis has gone under I don't know what's happened to it and I don't actually have a copy of the whole film. Just the rushes. As i've already posted I will try and get all the good bits up on KZbin one day... (and I LIKE THE LIGHTING!)

[@wildamberhoney]

Ooh. I'd forgotten how much I love Johnny Marr.

[@hayden6700]

13 years ago... holy moly

[@hayden6700]

@anichanzu me too. That's a looooong time

[@neilus]

funny hearing JM talk about his influences cos im always knocked out by just how utterly and stunningly unique the Smiths were...99.9% of bands you can at least hear where theyre coming from musically but this is virtually impossible with the Smiths...

[@sexobscura]

Shirelles, Shaw, Bassey, Sinatra to name a few

[@areyoustarting]

i love them :)

[@markbailey1970]

Simply the greatest

[@ericsilberstein667]

Morrissey, Marr, Rourke, and Joyce were great together. The Smiths were a great alt band.

[@ayo509]

GOATS

[@victoriaindigo]

Just listened to Marvin Gaye's Hitchhike on YT. And yes, I can hear what Johnny's talking about regarding There Is a Light That Never Goes Out. Really interesting interview

[@espanto107]

wow...just looked up young, gifted and black and it all makes so much sense--everything he's talking bout with the girl groups and their sound, even with the way morrissey eventually would sing! that's amazing...

[@Figfilm]

@Scrap5000 - yes, me and elliot did it at johnny's little studio in night & day cafe... one day i'll try and get the time to edit the rest of the interview.

[@jackfairy]

agree with u man .... the best!

[@kirbonite]

I don't know about the Cribs but I saw him last summer playing with Modest Mouse.. If you search Modest Mouse then you will find lots of videos of Marr Playing. He also had a group called: The healers for a while which featured the drummer from The Who.

[@Figfilm]

@Scrap5000 - Cheers for the comment - it took me ages to get the lighting wrong.

[@joniarmel7308]

Of course …they played a record . You know pretty sure if there will be a bond . It was the Blues with Mick and Keith. It was rock n roll with Paul and John . All writers exist with their influences.

[@intothecountry74]

Goldmine here

[@IViewMusic]

Could be due to the interviwer's approach. You know, the mood a conversation. He's probably been sweettalked into doing it at in the first place.

[@heirrose1606]

Marr is a guitar god. For me he's always sounded like Scotty Moore on acid and the Smiths the resulting sound if Scotty & Elvis had experienced a Beatles Revolver acid trip era. Of course Elvis did not have Morrissey's expansive lyrical wit but when they covered Elvis' His Latest Flame it convinced me.

[@eddieoneil]

Scotty Moore on acid. I can't hear that

[@Max12mld]

Morrisey and marr first met at a gig they must have discussed music together then marr must have had morrisey in mind and knocked on his door.

[@losthope9909]

I don't believe so, no.

[@redmel59]

Nail on the feckin head mate, nowt makes you wanna dance round the room singing like The Smiths ;0)

[@FuzzyCabesas]

This is a very interesting interview. Thank you for posting it. I remember reading that Morrissey was into 60's girl groups. Does anyone think that the begining of "Bigmouth Strikes Again" sounds a lot like a Heart song? Thanks again.

[@hannahmartha1]

he seems ver nice!

[@joshshaffer8219]

I don't think he's underrated at all. I think he's rightfully heralded as the last great British guitarist, and he's spoken about in the same conversation as Clapton, Page, Beck, etc. And as a guy who grew up on his playing, I'm so glad.

[@franklymrshanklyy]

@bensimps123 they first met at a Patti Smith concert when Marr was only about 15 I think.

[@Scrap5000]

@Figfilm Duuude, that is epic. Do you plan to ever interview him or Morissey ever again?

[@jungsbodyguard]

@myguitardidyermom12 Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I think that lots of Morrissey songs are classics in their own right. The Smiths songs are better and obviously that has a massive amount to do with Marr. However, nothing Marr has done after the Smiths stands out massively for me. I think we can both agree they're better together.

[@twitchygiraffe4636]

You are right about them being better together, but it is nice to see Johnny finally step out of the shadows and have a solo career, instead of it being all Morrissey, Morrissey, Morrissey all the time!!!!

[@Kablaine]

@wigglesmalibu Marr said that no other bassist in the world could of compared to the ability and contribution Rouke put into the Queen is Dead album. But you're right, that's not appreciation.

[@corytidswell]

true.

[@Dave2006Tube]

@jimzer David Johansen - lead singer of the New York Dolls.

[@momomimimomo]

Isn't it just when the chord goes from Am to F, before the main riff? Johnny used a capo on the 4th fret, though, so they're way different. They only sound a bit similar due to the chord progression.

[@Scrap5000]

@Figfilm Ha, I actually like it. So you conducted this actual interview?

[@priscilla9115]

I LOVE HIM

[@LoverSniper]

Dang - you're right! Sorry, I come from the land of Heart (Seattle) and I've listened to them since I was a kid... I just got done listening to Crazy On You - I don't think it sounds "Bigmouth Strikes Again" but I'm not very musically inclined - just a huge fan because my expertise is in the most diametrically oppposed arena - Science.

[@curfimo9793]

What the fuck look at when it was posted, must be one of the oldest videos on KZbin!

[@craigbee]

I think it was very wise...you only live once why do the same thing until you die...if you dont like him then that's one thing, stop slagging him for changing bands, your precious Smiths will never get bacfk together, let Morrissey sing alone for a while. long live Marr.

[@DarlinJacq]

This is kind of odd Johnny because I have NOT forgotten that I too, Want a Boy For My Birthday. 52 is forever away, but September 10th is in just a few days...

[@sallymick27]

Paper Boy WAS the b-Side......Your The One was the A-Side

[@gfcancio]

Johnny Marr kicks ass!!!

[@GenteelCretin]

I'd like to see an interview where he actually... y'know... talks about guitar. Still. Thanks for posting this. Very interesting.

[@Reint25]

@kaliyuta John Lydon was a great reggae-fan, too. And I would be surprised if The Buzzcocks weren't girl-group fans.

[@Figfilm]

@Scrap5000 no plans to...

[@mysticalHeir]

As much as I adore Morrissey--he would not be what he is today without Marr. They were a match made in heaven and they introduced something wonderful and deep to the world. Nobody has influenced my life more than Morrissey other than Jesus Christ. But Morrissey would have never become known without Marr--what happened was the result of what they did together.

[@XxpauldadudexX]

He's so like Noel gallagher....these north English guys are ...like Bealtles....sooo fukin brilliant at music

[@StopMoColorado]

XxpauldadudexX - Uh, yes, Marr is brilliant. Gallagher bros...not quite in the same category, I'm afraid.

[@bensimps123]

i want to know , WHERE moz and marr first met ! marr dident just knock randomly on morrisseys door ..where did he know of morrissey first ? anyone know?

[@ethandowse9145]

bensimps123 read marrs book, bacicaly Morrissey was in a band with someone called Billy Duffy (who later formed the cult) who got a record deal and ditched Morrissey, but told Johnny Marr to meet up with him, at that time Marr was going to form a band with Matt Johnson, but it didn't really work as he was in London, so he tracked down Morrissey

[@coldacre]

and 7 on his left

[@rockypc24]

johnny marr has a cool hair doo

[@dannyb1981]

Isnt johnny marr playing with 'the cribs' now I may be wrong

[@bubbastard]

ha ha, a very smart answer to a very dumb question! :)

[@fellspoint9364]

At least he’s honest about his influences/ rip offs. Most are not.

[@peacemonger1967]

johnny marr ALWAYS had a cool hairdo

[@XxpauldadudexX]

Well , most have a lot of Irish ancestors like me .But It was'nt in Ireland all this great music was created. It was in England n they ARE English like me . So if your Irish , stop trying to nick the credit off north England ;)

[@theselector4733]

Did he say the single didn't have a hole in the middle?? If so, how did they play it? Jukebox??

[@cameronwilkes830]

+theselector I'm sure you can get the jukebox sized attachments for normal record players

[@lucasoheyze4597]

Every record player I had back in the day had a little plastic disc you could slip over the metal thingy in the middle and the record would slot over that

[@rockypc24]

@peacemonger1967 i know hes is the smiths

[@FuzzyCabesas]

Hey, at least you didn't curse at me and call me an idiot. By the way, I don't mean the entire song, just those few chords that are first heard at 00:37 or so. Listen carefully.

[@LoverSniper]

barracuda? dreamboat annie? oh, i know, dog and butterfly!

[@corytidswell]

his hands aren't very big are they.

[@arricammarques1955]

Sorry, Johnny but 'I want a boy for my birthday' has been documented in numerous Smiths biographes.

[@carpmad22]

jm

[@jimzer]

2:55 dave who ?

[@basehead617]

he talks more than any other guitarist ever

[@rael1999]

Both Moz and Marr were important when it came to The Smiths and desaterz is completely correct when he say's in the majority of cases the music was written first and The band wouldn't have ever exsisted if Johnny hadn't have seeked Moz out and actually gone and knocked on his door. And it's nice of you to speak for ALL FANS when you say 'they' (you) think that it's the lead singer that gives bands their defining sounds. I certainely wouldn't agree with that statement !

[@western-oud1898]

I want a boy for my birthday is now on KZbin if you type it in

[@Rockstafar]

???

[@pa2camp]

does he have anything to do with the mars bar? I love that chocolate bar!

[@FuzzyCabesas]

Ha,ha! Songs sound like other songs all the time. I didn't mean anything by it. Do you even know what Heart song I'm talking about?

[@XxpauldadudexX]

Oh , ok . great mix though eh...english n Irish =)

[@robw9986]

How come I can understand him and Morrisey perfectly fine but the Gallagher brothers is always a struggle?

[@MrFunkadellica]

You dont come across great in the previous comment.

[@rael1999]

I don't take a bunch of sad journalistic views as gospel son but obviously you do...I base my facts on knowing many Smiths fans that were around when they were together and I know whose opinion I value most....and it isn't the press who have an inflatable opinion of their own self importance or your plagiaristic views of their opinions !!

[@DarthMichael2069]

When, when will Morrissey and Marr unite? Music is such shit right now!

[@FrazerSmithsChannel]

Calling Johnny the 'Smiths guitarist' is a bit like calling Paul McCartney the 'Beatles bassist'. Not wrong, but nowhere near right.

[@LucasPenido]

what can you say about marr??? the other half to blame for greatest songs ever written.

[@carywhitt]

you need to quit posting this question. as morrissey say - why don't you find out for yourself

[@poolboyinla]

Morrissey's music got so much better when he broke up with this guy.

[@colin6603]

Morrissey would not be famous if not for Johnny’s ionic guitar playing. Morrissey is a great singer and lyricist but this guy brought him to another level.

[@Zack29810]

Morrissey’s solo stuff is not good.

[@Mega52101]

Some of best Morrissey’s songs were made with Marr. Altho people undervalued Moz’s solo work

[@twitchygiraffe4636]

Shame Mozzer pissed off Johnny with his immature shenanigan’s to the point where he left the smiths, and Mozzer had to spend the rest of his life finding another Johnny to bounce his ideas off! And also Johnny appears to be sticking up for Moz in this interview by playing down the racism thing of which Moz keeps undoing with his outbursts in his own interviews! Mozzer has lost it completely now (especially in Manchester where his name is mud!), where as Johnny’s solo career seems to be doing fairly well!!!!

[@twitchygiraffe4636]

By the way Boz is a good guitarist but he’s no Johnny Marr not by a long shot!!!!

[@rael1999]

Canadians telling Us what we think of our own bands is both arrogant and embarressing....I know loads of Smiths fans in my hometown ( Manchester ) and believe you Me although they admit Morrissey and Marr where the driving force they fully appreciate the vital contributions both Rourke and Joyce unlike you DWEEB !

[@jesus3373]

He obviously watched too much Sesame Street when he was younger.

[@rael1999]

I suggest you get a dictionary buddy before you start calling people illiterate...desperate has two 'e's not two 'a's in it and 'argument has only one 'e'.....you put your own foot in your mouth you didn't need any help from Me !It appears you need to learn to write before you start questioning peoples eyesight !

[@rael1999]

The only thing I'm ashamed about is your inability to string a constructive intelligent sentence tabout The Smiths together...stick to watching The X Factor the people they have on there are more your style...Scientists have been searching for the missing link for years I suggest you give them a ring....PMSL

[@aikidoisthebombyeah]

Moz should get Kirk Hammett to join his band...

[@aneleaveizam]

lmao why Kirk?

[@aikidoisthebombyeah]

@@aneleaveizam you prefer Yngwie?

[@aneleaveizam]

@@aikidoisthebombyeah who tf is yngwie

[@aikidoisthebombyeah]

@@aneleaveizam yngwie malmsteen

[@sexobscura]

This isn't actually Johnny Marr