Johnny Marr: Last News

The Smiths, is currently facing closure.The youth centre – which was opened in 1904 by Robert Baden-Powell in Ordsall as a club for boys but is now open to all young people – is under threat of closure due to rising costs and a drop in grant funding.Salford Lads Club became immortalised by The Smiths after a photo of Morrissey and co in front of the establishment was used on the sleeve of their third album, 1986’s ‘The Queen Is Dead’.Andy Rourke, bassist for The Smiths, died yesterday at the age of 59. In 2004 he returned to Salford Lads Club, scene of an iconic image of the band, and spoke to one of the club's stalwarts – Archie Swift.

Blossoms have teamed up with Rick Astley once again, this time for a cover of Charli XCX‘s ‘360’ in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.The Stockport indie band stopped by the Live Lounge today (October 14) but didn’t reveal that Astley was with them as a special guest until they started performing. Indeed, presenters Melvin Odoom, Charlie Hedges and Rickie Haywood-Williams only found out they’d have a special guest with them just before they came on air.As is tradition on the Live Lounge, Blossoms picked a song to cover and, about 10 minutes into the programme, chose to deliver a jangly, guitar-led take on the track from Charli’s celebrated album ‘Brat’.

The Struts frontman Luke Spiller has revealed that he once made a James Bond song with late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.The latest instalment of the spy film franchise, No Time To Die, featured a theme tune of the same name by Billie Eilish. It was written by the singer alongside her brother and collaborator Finneas, and boasted contributions from Hans Zimmer and Johnny Marr.Eilish and Finneas won their first Oscar for the track, as well as picking up a Golden Globe and a Grammy.

The Smiths‘ drummer Mike Joyce has spoken to NME about ending his decades-long feud with Johnny Marr, as well as the recent reunion row and plans for a mural in memory of late bassist Andy Rourke.The pair hadn’t spoken since Joyce sued Marr and Morrissey in 1996 over The Smiths’ royalties. The drummer won the case and was awarded £1million damages.Now, Joyce has told NME he met Marr at a private service in Manchester back in May to mark a year since the death of Andy Rourke from pancreatic cancer.“I’d seen Johnny at Manchester City games and we’d keep it civil, but there’d be no conversation,” said Joyce. “I knew Johnny was going to be at Andy’s service and I thought: ‘This isn’t about me or Johnny, it’s nothing other than Andy’.

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce has confirmed a permanent mural dedicated to late bassist Andy Rourke will go ahead.It comes after a crowdfunding campaign was set up by Joyce earlier this month to honour the late sticksman’s legacy and impact.Additionally, the campaign was also set up to raise funds for the charity organisation Pancreatic Cancer Action. This is notable as Rourke died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 59 last year.Now, Joyce has confirmed the crowdfunder for the mural, which will depict Rourke performing at Dundee’s Caird Hall in 1985, as captured in an image by tour photographer Nalinee Darmrong, has raised more than its initial £20,000 target.He told BBC Radio Manchester (via BBC News): “He was such a brilliant musician and such a great bloke that I thought a permanent memorial would be apt for the man.”The mural is due to be unveiled in November, which is pancreatic cancer awareness month and donors will receive a photograph print of the mural signed by Joyce and the mural artist.The mural will be created by renowned street artist Akse, who has previously depicted footballer Marcus Rashford in Withington and David Bowie on the side of a pub in Oak Street in Manchester’s Northern QuarterJoyce said he hoped it would raise awareness of “getting an early diagnosis”.Elsewhere, Morrissey fired his management team following Johnny Marr‘s statement refuting several claims regarding The Smiths earlier this week.The former Smiths singer took to his website to announce that he had parted ways with his management, but offered no further details.

The Beatles broke up.Not to mention the Police, Talking Heads and Guns n’ Roses (sorry, Axl, it’s not GNR without Slash).And who could forget the troubled water that couldn’t be bridged by Simon & Garfunkel?But even some of those bands who have managed to stay together — in some form or fashion — have had as much hate as harmony. Fleetwood Mac, anyone?Still, it’s been a particularly painful period for some beloved bands.

Morrissey has fired his management team following Johnny Marr‘s statement refuting several claims regarding The Smiths earlier this week.The former Smiths singer took to his website to announce that he had parted ways with his management, but offered no further details. He wrote on September 19: “Morrissey has severed all connections with Red Light Management/Pete Galli Management.”It’s the latest move Morrissey has made following a string of claims he made regarding The Smiths and Johnny Marr.

Johnny Marr has disputed a string of recent claims from Morrissey, who says that Marr declined a lucrative reunion tour offer, blocked a greatest hits album and acquired the trademark rights to The Smiths without informing him.On Sunday (September 15) Morrissey took to his website to allege that his ex-bandmate had acquired “trademark rights and Intellectual Property” of The Smiths, and could tour as a band without him. He stated that the action was taken without warning him or giving him a chance to object.It followed his claims only a day prior that a Smiths ‘Greatest Hits’ album had been “blocked” by Marr.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music With decades of unpleasant words between principal members Morrissey and Johnny Marr, the Smiths have long been one of the classic rock groups least likely to reunite, and it seems even less likely given the events of the past few weeks and days. Last month, Morrissey claimed that the Smiths had received a lucrative offer for a reunion tour and that he was willing to go ahead with it, but that Marr “ignored the offer.” Last week, Morrissey further claimed that Marr was blocking the release of a Smiths greatest-hits album.

Morrissey has claimed that Johnny Marr now owns all of the “trademark rights and Intellectual Property” of The Smiths, and can tour as a band without him.The band’s former frontman made the claims against his ex-bandmate in a new post shared on his website yesterday (September 15), stating that the action was taken without warning him or giving him a chance to object.“J Marr has successfully applied for 100 per cent trademark rights / Intellectual Property ownership of The Smiths name,” the post began. “His application has been accepted on whatever oaths or proclamations he has put forward.

KISS‘s Gene Simmons has had his say on the prospect of a reunion of The Smiths.Morrissey recently revealed late last month that Johnny Marr had “ignored” a lucrative offer from AEG Entertainment Group to reunite the band. Morrissey claimed at the time that he had agreed to the offer, which would’ve seen The Smiths tour “throughout 2025”.The update continued: “Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.” The statement came after Marr had responded to a fan’s call for The Smiths to return amid the huge Oasis reunion news.Morrissey also said in a new post on his website that Marr had blocked a ‘Greatest Hits’ album by The Smiths.

Guitars used by Noel Gallagher during the recording of Oasis' debut album Definitely Maybe have sold at auction for more than £200,000.

The Smiths has been “blocked” by Johnny Marr, according to Morrissey.In a new post on his website shared last night (September 11), Morrissey revealed that a “proposed greatest hits album by the Smiths entitled ‘Smiths Rule OK!’ has been blocked by J Marr”. He went on to add that a re-issue of the band’s 1983 debut single ‘Hand In Glove’ has similarly been blocked from release by his former bandmate.But according to Morrissey, that’s not all – the singer wrote in his blogpost that the greatest hits album and ‘Hand In Glove’ reissue were scheduled for release this year alongside “a deluxe box release of The Smiths’ first album” and “a new 7-inch” of their 1992 track ‘This Charming Man’.

Morrissey claiming that Johnny Marr shut down any chances of a Smiths reunion.It comes after a statement was posted to the singer’s official Morrissey Central website yesterday (August 29) which read: “In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as ‘The Smiths’ throughout 2025.”It added: “Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer. Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November.

Thania Garcia ‘Tis the season of rock reunions — but not for the Smiths, according to Morrissey, who has responded to demands for the British rock band’s revival after Oasis unexpectedly announced their return. Although it comes as no surprise (the Smiths have famously rejected similar offers for a reunion tour), Morrissey seemed encouraged to shut down any excitement for a treaty between himself and bandmate Johnny Marr. A message was posted onto his “Morrissey Central” website on Thursday claiming that the duo were presented with a “lucrative offer” to tour worldwide as the Smiths in 2025.

Morrissey has said he agreed to a “lucrative” The Smiths reunion tour next year, but claimed that Johnny Marr “ignored” the offer.A statement posted to the singer’s official Morrissey Central website today (August 29) reads: “In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as ‘The Smiths’ throughout 2025.”The update continued: “Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.“Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.”NME has contacted Marr’s representatives for comment.

A telecoms company has unveiled plans to erect SIX telecoms masts measuring 50ft high around the Wigan borough in recent weeks with the town’s planning officers and councillors powerless to stop them. In addition, telecoms giant EE has applied for permission to put a seventh giant 100ft mast on an industrial estate in the town.

Johnny Marr has responded to fans’ calls for The Smiths to reunite after the recent rumours that Oasis are getting back together.Over the past few days, Oasis fans have been holding their breath in hopes of an announcement that the band are getting back together after both Liam and Noel Gallagher – and the official band’s social media – share the same date on socials, teasing an announcement at 8am today (August 27).Since then, fans of other bands with tumultuous histories have been hoping for their favourites to reconcile – one such case being The Smiths, who have been public about the feud between Morrissey and Johnny Marr.Now, Marr has responded to one fans’ hopes of a Smiths reunion. The fan wrote, themselves noting that it would be a long shot: “If Oasis can do it The Smiths can too (I’m delusional).In return, Marr posted a photo of former UKIP leader and MP for Clacton, Nigel Farage with a pint in hand.

Morrissey has looked back at the legacy of The Smiths, and said that the band’s popularity has not come to an end as it was all about “a refusal to surrender to enemy propaganda”.The singer and former frontman of the iconic ‘80s group reflected on the impact their music had on culture in a new blog post, shared on his official website Morrissey Central.In the update, he wrote to fans about how the legacy the members forged came as a result of taking “risks”, and through their ability to stand up against “enemy propaganda” – something which he says is just as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.“I am well aware of the Smiths’ rise in recent years, and their affirmed position in our cultural heritage,” he began. “It proves how taking risks can work beautifully … and if you don’t take risks when you make music then what the hell are you doing making music? “He continued: “I am incredibly grateful to anyone who walked out to buy, or who stayed in to download, Smiths’ music.

Noel Gallagher used to record Oasis’ iconic album ‘Definitely Maybe’ is set to go to auction later this month.The axe was used by the singer, songwriter and guitarist throughout the writing and recording process of the Britpop icons’ 1994 breakthrough debut.It can also be seen in the music video and single cover for their hit song ‘Supersonic’ – the debut single that put them on the map – as well as on ‘Live Forever’ and ‘Shakermaker’.Now, in an upcoming auction hosted by Sotheby’s, Noel’s Cherry Sunburst Les Paul is set to go under the hammer, and is expected to fetch between £60,000 and £80,000.It’ll be held as part of the auction house’s ‘Popular Culture’ range and will be displayed alongside other memorabilia, including a Vox guitar used by Prince and an Abbey Road Steinway Grand Piano, used by Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters and more.A guitar used by Johnny Marr – and also by Gallagher during the recording of Oasis’ track ‘Cigarettes And Alcohol’ – is also going under the hammer, and expected to reach bids between £20,000 and £30,000.The auction will run between August 29 and September 12, visit here for more information.While Noel has yet to comment directly on the guitar going to auction, he did recently look back at the Oasis debut album during an interview with The Sunday Times Culture magazine, in which he hailed the record as being “definitive” of the band as a whole.“I guess it’s the definitive Oasis album,” he said. “It has the spirit, the arrogance of youth.

Celine Dion’s team have stated that Donald Trump used ‘My Heart Will Go On’ without authorisation at a rally and that she “does not endorse this”.At the political campaign event in Bozeman, Montana on Friday (August 9), a video clip of Dion singing the 1997 song was played on the big screen.At the time, it was unclear whether Trump’s people had followed the proper routes to clear the usage of the track, but in a social media post to Dion’s accounts on Saturday, the answer became clear.“Today, Celine Dion’s management team and her record label, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc., became aware of the unauthorized usage of the video, recording, musical performance, and likeness of Celine Dion singing “My Heart Will Go On” at a Donald Trump / JD Vance campaign rally in Montana,” it read.A post shared by Céline Dion (@celinedion)“In no way is this use authorized, and Celine Dion does not endorse this or any similar use.”“…And really, THAT song?” the statement concluded, possibly referencing the song’s synonymous links with Titanic, the world’s most famous sinking ship.Dion had been invited to perform at Trump’s inauguration in January 2017, but once again, she refused to be associated with the former president.The Canadian singer gave a showstopping performance of Edith Piaf’s ‘L’Hymne a L’Amour’ at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics on July 26, her first public performance since she revealed her stiff person syndrome diagnosis in 2022.Dion is far from the first artist to speak out after their music was used at a Trump rally.