Johnny Marr Biography: John Martin Marr born Maher; October 31, 1963 is a British musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the guitarist and co-songwriter for The Smiths, one of the most influential bands of the 1980s. He gained prominence for his distinctive jangle pop guitar style, which became a defining element of the band’s sound.
Johnny Marr Biography
Johnny Marr rose to prominence as the lead guitarist of the iconic British rock band The Smiths, widely regarded as one of the most influential groups of the 1980s. Alongside frontman Morrissey, Marr co-wrote many of the decade’s most acclaimed and enduring songs. Morrissey’s sharp, satirical lyrics and emotive vocals were perfectly matched by Marr’s distinctive jangly guitar sound, helping to craft a unique musical identity that resonated deeply with audiences.
Johnny Marr Biography 2025 Details
| Birth name | John Martin Maher |
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| Born | 31 October 1963 Manchester, England |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
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| Category | Singers Bio |
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About Johnny Marr
John Martin Marr is a musician, songwriter and singer. He first achieved fame as the guitarist and co-songwriter of the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. He has since performed with numerous other bands and embarked on a solo career.
Johnny Marr Achievements
Born and raised in Manchester, England, Marr formed his first band at age 13 and later played in several groups with bassist Andy Rourke before co-founding The Smiths with Morrissey in 1982. The Smiths enjoyed both critical acclaim and commercial success until their split in 1987, which was largely due to creative and personal differences between Marr and Morrissey.
Johnny Marr Persoanl Life
The Smiths’ melodic style and Morrissey’s eccentric, compelling stage presence quickly earned them a devoted following in the UK. Their legacy endures, with many contemporary British guitar bands citing The Smiths as a key influence. However, creative tensions between Marr and Morrissey led to the band’s acrimonious split in 1987.
Johnny Marr Wiki
- Born: 31 October 1963 (age 61 years), Ardwick, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Music groups: The Smiths, Modest Mouse (2006 – 2009), The The · See more
- Spouse: Angie Marr (m. 1985)
- Children: Nile Marr, Sonny Marr
- Parents: John Joseph Maher, Frances Patricia Doyle
Early Life
Johnny Marr was born on October 31, 1963, at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Manchester, England, to Irish immigrants John Joseph Maher and Frances Patricia Doyle, originally from County Kildare. The family initially lived in Ardwick Green before relocating to Wythenshawe in 1972. Marr attended St Aloysius Primary School in Ardwick and later Sacred Heart Primary School. In 1975, he enrolled at St Augustine’s Catholic Grammar School, which later became part of St John Plessington High School following a school merger in 1977.
As a child, Marr aspired to become a professional footballer. He was scouted by Nottingham Forest and even had trials with Manchester City’s youth team. Reflecting on his childhood, Marr described the move to Wythenshawe as life-changing, likening it to “moving to Beverly Hills,” as it introduced him to a circle of aspiring guitarists. One of those influences was guitarist Billy Duffy—later of The Cult—whose high school band practiced across the street from Marr’s new home. Marr would often listen in on their rehearsals, which sparked his deep interest in music.
Johnny Marr at a Glance
- Category: Richest Celebrities › Actors
- Net Worth: $14 million
- Birthdate: October 31, 1963 (age 61)
- Birthplace: Ardwick, Manchester, England
- Gender: Male
- Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
- Profession: Guitarist, Musician, Songwriter, Film Score Composer, Singer
- Nationality: British
Johnny Marr – Career Highlights
Marr performed on The Other Stage at the Glastonbury Festival. Later that evening, he made a surprise appearance during The Killers’ headlining set on the Pyramid Stage, joining the band for performances of “This Charming Man” and “Mr. Brightside” during their encore. Marr was also invited to collaborate with composer Hans Zimmer on the score for the James Bond film No Time to Die. In addition to his work on the soundtrack, he played guitar on Billie Eilish’s title theme for the movie and was present for its live debut at the 2020 BRIT Awards. Marr signed a global album deal with BMG. Shortly after, on August 31, he released a new single from his EP Fever Dreams Pt 1. The track premiered via his social media channels, with the full EP arriving on October 15, 2021.
Personal Life
Johnny Marr has been in a long-term relationship with his wife, Angie, since 1979—prior to the formation of The Smiths. The couple has two children, Sonny and Nile. Their son Nile followed in his father’s musical footsteps, formerly fronting the band Man Made before launching a solo career. The family lived in Portland, Oregon, for over five years before relocating back to the UK so Marr could work on his solo album in Manchester.
In the mid-1980s, Marr gave up meat, aligning with both his wife Angie and his Smiths bandmate Morrissey. Reflecting on that decision, he once remarked, “It’s not a good idea to have a number one album called Meat Is Murder and be seen eating a bacon sarnie.” Later, after being influenced by the American hip-hop group Naughty by Nature and their emphasis on health and discipline, Marr also gave up alcohol and smoking, eventually adopting a vegan lifestyle.
Johnny Marr’s Net Worth 2025
Johnny Marr is a renowned English musician, singer, and songwriter with an estimated net worth of $14 million. He rose to prominence as the guitarist and co-songwriter for the influential band The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, working alongside Morrissey to create some of the most iconic songs of the decade. Beyond The Smiths, Marr has been a member of several other acclaimed bands, including Electronic, The The, Modest Mouse, and The Cribs. He is also a highly sought-after session musician and film score composer. In 2013, he released his solo debut album The Messenger. Among his accolades, Marr received the Godlike Genius Award from NME and was named the fourth-best guitarist of the past 30 years in a BBC poll conducted in 2010.
FAQs
Are Johnny Marr and Morrissey still friends?
After the band’s breakup in 1987, Morrissey and Marr have ventured into solo careers and have hardly spoken to each other. In May 2023, Rourke died from pancreatic cancer.
Who influenced Johnny Marr?
Marr’s three biggest influences on guitar were Nile Rodgers, Bert Jansch, and James Williamson from the Stooges. His jangly guitar playing in the Smiths was influenced by Neil Young and Danny Whitten of Crazy Horse, and James Honeyman-Scott of the Pretenders.
Is Johnny Marr a virtuoso?
One of the finest guitarists and composers to emerge from the early days of alternative rock, Johnny Marr’s virtuosic yet understated approach has indelibly influenced an entire generation of modern bands.
Is Johnny Marr considered a great guitarist?
There is no disputing that Johnny Marr is one of the greatest guitar players of his generation.
Is Johnny Marr a rhythm guitarist?
To do so, Marr would seamlessly meld both lead and rhythm guitar when he played. Part of his genius was in writing rhythm parts that incorporated functional melodies within them, and crafting leads that retained the necessary harmony that a rhythm guitar would normally provide.