The Great Creators with Guy Raz

Johnny Marr: The Smiths Legend on His Creative Chemistry with Morrissey, Playing with Modest Mouse, and Changing Guitar Music Forever

Oct 17, 2023

Johnny Marr, member of The Smiths, discusses his fruitful partnership with Morrissey, joining Modest Mouse, finding inspiration, and doing his best creative work under pressure.

01:08:00

Episode guests

Johnny Marr

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Johnny Marr emphasizes the importance of chemistry in creating great music and reflects on his fruitful but short partnership with Morrissey from The Smiths.

Constant practice and dedication are key to honing skills as a guitarist, and the satisfaction comes when everything comes together in a song.

Marr highlights the importance of productivity, creativity, and doing the work, rather than relying solely on outside inspiration, in his solo career and songwriting process.

Deep dives

Influences and Early Years

Johnny Marr discusses his early influences, such as Patty Smith and Motown girl groups. He talks about his passion for the guitar, which began at a young age and his drive to constantly improve as a musician.

Introduction

2min

Johnny Marr: Influential Guitarist, Solo Projects, Modest Mouse, and More

3min

Johnny Marr's Early Years

17min

Johnny Marr's Journey and Disney's Frozen Forces of Nature

2min

The Influence of Motown and Girl Groups

22min

The Impact of Early Life and Creative Chemistry

12min

Johnny Marr's Influence on Noel Gallagher

11min

The Importance of Hard Work and Johnny Marr's Guitars

2min

Johnny Marr of The Smiths went from working in a clothes shop to founding one of the most influential bands of the past 40 years... as a teenager! Widely regarded as one of the world's greatest guitarists, Johnny sits down with Guy to discuss his fruitful but short partnership with Morrissey, how he wound up joining Modest Mouse and making a #1 album, where he finds inspiration, and why he's done some of his best creative work when his back was against the wall. Johnny's new is book is called Marr's Guitars.

The Smiths - This Charming Man

The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?

The Smiths - The Headmaster Ritual

The Smiths - The Boy with the Thorn in His Side

Electronic - Getting Away with It

Modest Mouse - Dashboard

Johnny's book - Marr's Guitars

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