Johnny Marr is a name that resonates in the world of music, both for his distinctive guitar playing with The Smiths and his ongoing solo career. But while the music world remembers his contributions to one of the most iconic bands of the 80s, Marr himself has moved forward in life with a focus on health, family, and new musical horizons. At 58, Marr is still in great shape—clear-eyed, energetic, and living a lifestyle that many would envy. Here’s a deeper look at the man behind the music, his evolving perspective on life, and his response to the inevitable comparisons to his past with The Smiths.
Marr’s Personal Life and Family
Johnny Marr’s relationship with his wife, Angie, has been one of stability since they first met as teenagers in 1979—well before The Smiths came into existence. Their bond, which has stood the test of time, is central to Marr’s life. Together, they have two children, Sonny and Nile Marr. Nile, following in his father’s musical footsteps, was once the front man of the band Man Made before embarking on a solo career. Despite his success and long history in the public eye, Marr is a family man at heart and prefers to keep his personal life relatively private.
Marr, known for his incredible work ethic, hasn’t shied away from discussing his past, especially when it comes to health and lifestyle choices. He has adopted a vegetarian diet since the 1980s and, for more than 20 years, has stayed away from alcohol and smoking. Marr is candid about his reasons for staying clean: he doesn’t believe drugs or alcohol would make him a more interesting musician. “It’d be tougher if I was a boozer, that’s for sure,” he says. He’s not against indulging in life’s pleasures, but he prefers to remain grounded and focused on his health, something that’s evident in his energetic approach to life. Running marathons in under four hours, Marr clearly doesn’t take his fitness for granted, and his commitment to a wholesome lifestyle is certainly an impressive example for others.
Marr’s Musical Evolution
While many associate Marr with his time in The Smiths, the guitarist has maintained a career filled with numerous musical projects, collaborations, and solo ventures. Despite his initial hesitance to dive into his solo career, Marr has carved out a distinctive path since The Smiths disbanded. His current musical output is a reflection of his evolution as both a person and an artist, moving beyond the shadow of his earlier work.
Yet, despite his ongoing success as a solo artist, Marr is often linked to The Smiths. And for good reason—The Smiths are considered one of the most influential bands of their era. Marr acknowledges that many fans are still captivated by his time with the band, even though he’d rather discuss his current work. In our interview, Marr didn’t mention his former bandmate Morrissey once, even though some readers posed questions about the band’s past. His responses were measured, focusing more on his present work than revisiting the past.
The Tension with Morrissey
Of course, no discussion of Johnny Marr is complete without a nod to his complicated relationship with former Smiths’ frontman Morrissey. Recently, Morrissey posted an “open letter” on his website, urging Marr to stop referencing him in interviews, claiming that their shared past has long been over. Morrissey’s words seemed to touch a nerve, as he advised Marr to “move on” and focus on his own career. Marr’s response to the open letter was both humorous and pointed. He joked about how open letters had become outdated, and he dismissed the notion of being trapped in the past.
While Morrissey’s comments were clearly a call for distance, Marr has remained largely silent on the details of their fallout. It’s clear, however, that he’s focused on his own musical journey and doesn’t feel the need to revisit old wounds for the sake of the press.
The McCartney Comparison
One of the most intriguing aspects of Marr’s career is how he’s been compared to Paul McCartney, especially in the wake of The Smiths’ breakup. Much like McCartney, Marr has often been blamed by some for the band’s dissolution, and both have worked hard to move forward creatively, despite being constantly compared to their former glory days. While McCartney has enjoyed a kind of revisionist appreciation for his post-Beatles career, Marr is now experiencing a similar shift in public perception. Fans are beginning to see his solo work and collaborations in a new light, understanding that he’s not just the guitarist from The Smiths but a highly skilled musician in his own right.
Marr’s Legacy and Future
Despite the ongoing comparisons to his past, Johnny Marr is still very much living in the present. He’s no longer just the iconic guitarist from The Smiths, but a man who has built a multifaceted career, maintained a healthy lifestyle, and focused on his personal life. With an impressive array of solo albums, collaborations, and even marathon achievements under his belt, Marr continues to evolve, both musically and personally.
As Marr enters the later stages of his career, his legacy will undoubtedly be defined by more than just his work with The Smiths. While that period in his life will always be a part of who he is, Johnny Marr has shown that there is so much more to his journey. He’s not simply living in the past—he’s creating music and living a life that’s all his own.
