In current weeks, Morrissey has made quite a few statements about his previous band with Johnny Marr, the Smiths. In a single occasion, he claimed Marr “ignored” a proposal for a 2025 tour. He later claimed that Marr “blocked” a Smiths greatest-hits album. And, most lately, he asserted that Marr obtained the trademark rights to the Smiths’ title “with none session to Morrissey, and with out permitting Morrissey the usual alternative of ‘objection.’”
Marr, by means of his administration, has now responded to Morrissey’s numerous allegations. Discover it in full under.
Concerning the Smiths trademark, Marr’s administration stated that, in 2018, “Marr reached out to Morrissey, through his representatives, to work collectively in defending The Smiths’ title.” Morrissey apparently didn’t reply to Marr, which led the latter musician “to register the trademark himself.”
Concerning a compilation album, Marr verified Morrissey’s account, explaining that he declined Warner Music Group’s provide to launch a greatest-hits album “given the quantity already in existence.”
Most crucially for Smiths followers, Marr additionally confirmed {that a} reunion tour was provided to him: “I didn’t ignore the provide,” Marr wrote, “I stated no.”
The Smiths broke up in 1987, and Johnny Marr and Morrissey have had quite a few disputes within the ensuing years. However, the concept of a reunion has been on the desk previously, with Marr revealing in his 2016 memoir, Set the Boy Free, that he mentioned the chance of reuniting with Morrissey in 2008.
In 2018, a sequence of concert events billed as “Classically Smiths” have been introduced. The exhibits have been presupposed to function drummer Mike Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke, however Rourke rapidly distanced himself from the venture, and the exhibits have been canceled in brief order. Months later, Marr criticized the venture, telling Mojo, “I wasn’t consulted and that tells you all it’s essential know, I feel.”
A press release from Johnny Marr’s administration:
Current statements made by Morrissey on his web site relating to the trademark of The Smiths’ title are incorrect.
Listed below are the details:
In 2018, following an try by a 3rd social gathering to make use of The Smiths’ title – and upon discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band – Marr reached out to Morrissey, through his representatives, to work collectively in defending The Smiths’ title.
A failure to reply led Marr to register the trademark himself. It was subsequently agreed with Morrissey’s legal professionals that this trademark was held for the mutual good thing about Morrissey & Marr.
As a gesture of goodwill, in January 2024, Marr signed an project of joint possession to Morrissey. Execution of this doc nonetheless requires Morrissey to signal.
Within the pursuits of accuracy and readability relating to the trademark, and to reply current experiences that Marr ignored a promoter’s provide to tour as The Smiths, Marr says:
“To forestall third events from cashing in on the band’s title, it was left to me to guard the legacy. This I’ve performed on behalf of each myself and my former bandmates.”
“As for the provide to tour, I didn’t ignore the provide – I stated no.”
Moreover, hypothesis about Johnny Marr touring with a distinct singer as The Smiths isn’t true. There aren’t any such plans.
Johnny Marr additionally confirms that he declined a suggestion for one more biggest hits compilation from Warner Music Group given the quantity already in existence.
