Johnny Marr responds after Morrissey claims over The Smiths tour

-Credit: (Image: Redferns)
-Credit: (Image: Redferns)


Johnny Marr says he turned down an offer to reform The Smiths. It comes as he responded to claims from Morrissey regarding the trademarking and use of the band's name.

At the end of last month, following the news of the Oasis reunion, Morrissey claimed the former song-writing partners had been made a "lucrative" offer to tour as The Smiths next summer which he had accepted but which Marr had "ignored."

Last week he said that the Manchester group's guitarist had "blocked" a new greatest hits album. Then in a statement on his website yesterday (Monday), Morrissey said Marr had "successfully applied for 100 percent trademark rights / Intellectual Property ownership of The Smiths name."

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"Amongst many other things, this means that Marr can now tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice, and it also prohibits Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying Morrissey considerable financial livelihood" the statement continued. Adding: "Morrissey alone created the musical unit name ‘The Smiths’ in May 1982.”

Marr has now spoken out himself, calling the claims "incorrect." In a statement shared on his social media pages, Marr's management said: "In 2018, following an attempt by a third party to use The Smiths' name - and upon discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band - Marr reached out to Morrissey, via his representatives, to work together in protecting The Smiths' name.

Morrissey at the Ivor awards last year. He has made a number of recent claims regarding his former bandmate Marr -Credit:Getty Images
Morrissey at the Ivor awards last year. He has made a number of recent claims regarding his former bandmate Marr -Credit:Getty Images

"A failure to respond led Marr to register the trademark himself. It was subsequently agreed with Morrissey's lawyers that this trademark was held for the mutual benefit of Morrissey & Marr.

"As a gesture of goodwill, in January 2024, Marr signed an assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey. Execution of this document still requires Morrissey to sign."

The statement also includes a quote from Johnny himself in which he says: "To prevent third parties from profiting from the band's name, it was left to me to protect the legacy. This I have done on behalf of both myself and my former bandmates. As for the offer to tour, I didn't ignore the offer - I said no."

Marr (right) and Morrissey (centre) performing with The Smiths -Credit:Redferns
Marr (right) and Morrissey (centre) performing with The Smiths -Credit:Redferns

The management statement said the claims about Marr planning to tour as The Smiths with a different singer were "not true" and there were "no such plans."

"Johnny Marr also confirms that he declined a suggestion for another greatest hits compilation from Warner Music Group given the number already in existence" it adds.

It is the latest pubic spat between the pair. In 2022, Marr said that he felt he had to “defend himself" after Morrissey asked him to stop mentioning him in interviews.

Johnny Marr pictured with friend and fellow City fan Noel Gallagher at the Etihad. News of the proposed Smiths reunioon emerged after Oasis announced they were reforming -Credit:PA
Johnny Marr pictured with friend and fellow City fan Noel Gallagher at the Etihad. News of the proposed Smiths reunioon emerged after Oasis announced they were reforming -Credit:PA

Following news of the Oasis comeback emerged, one social media user said: "If Oasis can do it The Smiths can too (I'm delusional)." Marr responded with a picture of a picture of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage smiling and holding a pint.

The Smiths had a string of hits with songs including There Is A Light That Never Goes Out and This Charming Man. Having released albums including The Smiths and Meat is Murder and earning three top 10 hits, the band split in 1987 after just five years together.

The pair have both gone on to forge successful solo careers with Marr having also worked with a number of other artists including The The, Modest Mouse and The Cribs.