Johnny Marr responds to Morrissey's open letter via Twitter (January 26, 2022)

Dear @officialmoz. An ‘open letter’ hasn’t really been a thing since 1953, It’s all ‘social media’ now. Even Donald J Trump had that one down. Also, this fake news business…a bit 2021 yeah ? #makingindiegreatagain

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Related item:

• "OPEN LETTER TO JOHNNY MARR." (January 25, 2022)

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Media item:

• Radio X: Johnny Marr hits back after Morrissey asks him to stop mentioning him in interviews - January 26, 2022

 

[Vegan Cro Spirit .444]

HAD ROLLING STONE REMOVE ALL MOZ TALK
GOOD LETS KEEP IT THAT WAY
tho im sure the interview is chock full of LePepe egomaniac pap
he is 60 yr old and is making 'indie' great again'

 

[Famous when dead]

Just Smiths bits really:

FWD.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Just Smiths bits really:

View attachment 78976

View attachment 78974

FWD.

Well, no Morrissey mentions. But at least they’ve always got ‘the twang’ to discus and keep readers interested!

‘That was a good twang, Jon. I’m glad someone was listening’.

oh boy.

 

[Ketchup]

Johnny Marr: a complete & utter twanger.

 

[MoneyChangesEverything]

Agreed indeed. I was pointing out that this - and playing them live - has nothing to do with what Mozzer sez in his open letter.

I was more thinking about people saying that Marr was trading on his past glories .... yet glossing over that Moz trades on his as well.

My favourite Moz tours were the 1991-1995 era before the Smith karaoke section became obligatory, when if you were lucky, you got "Shoplifters" or "London" on occasional shows.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, no Morrissey mentions. But at least they’ve always got ‘the twang’ to discus and keep readers interested!

‘That was a good twang, Jon. I’m glad someone was listening’.

oh boy.

But isn’t it revisionist to not mention Moz when talking about the Smiths? They were his politics too, not just Johnny’s. But I guess that’s what Moz wants? To be erased from Smiths’ history?

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

But isn’t it revisionist to not mention Moz when talking about the Smiths? They were his politics too, not just Johnny’s. But I guess that’s what Moz wants? To be erased from Smiths’ history?

Isn’t their discussion of ‘the twang’
not enough for you?



I believe what Morrissey is generally saying is, that if you can’t mention me in a neutral or positive light, then please don’t mention me at all, so the publication/media site can’t spin what Marr says into clickbait.

I think it’s safe to say, by Marr not mentioning Morrissey, Morrissey’s
contribution to The Smiths will not be erased from music & Smiths history. The Smiths could never die for it continues to breath alive and kicking through Morrissey’s solo work, the light that never goes out.

 

[Anonymous]

Isn’t their discussion of ‘the twang’
not enough for you?



I believe what Morrissey is generally saying is, that if you can’t mention me in a neutral or positive light, then please don’t mention me at all, so the publication/media site can’t spin what Marr says into clickbait.

I think it’s safe to say, by Marr not mentioning Morrissey, Morrissey’s
contribution to The Smiths will not be erased from music & Smiths history. The Smiths could never die for it continues to breath alive and kicking through Morrissey’s solo work, the light that never goes out.

Well since Moz doesn’t do press, that makes Marr the keeper of the Smiths flame in the media. That is good as he still holds the same values as the Smiths. Nothing to do with Moz solo though, I get the feeling Moz is completely uninterested in the Smiths.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Well since Moz doesn’t do press, that makes Marr the keeper of the Smiths flame in the media. That is good as he still holds the same values as the Smiths. Nothing to do with Moz solo though, I get the feeling Moz is completely uninterested in the Smiths.

sorry to correct you, but ....



The spirit and legacy of The Smiths lives eternal in Morrissey’s voice.

 

[Kanonymous]

Dear @officialmoz. An ‘open letter’ hasn’t really been a thing since 1953, It’s all ‘social media’ now. Even Donald J Trump had that one down. Also, this fake news business…a bit 2021 yeah ? #makingindiegreatagain

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Related item:

• "OPEN LETTER TO JOHNNY MARR." (January 25, 2022)

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Media item:

• Radio X: Johnny Marr hits back after Morrissey asks him to stop mentioning him in interviews - January 26, 2022

An Open Letter to Mozz and Marr

As an approaching 50 year old fan of The Smiths, Morrissey as a solo artist and Johnny's throughout his many incarnations - Reading this unfold feels very disheartening and depressing. The Smiths split was a bit like a divorce with the The Smiths albums as the children of that divorce.
As a fan who grew up on The Smiths and Morrissey as a solo artist, I lived those songs and concerts they are the very fabric of time and memories that were fun, awkward, painful and ALL wonderful.
In todays climate when there is just constant heartache caused by the human race (animal abuse, child trafficking, basically all the atrocities being committed daily by humans) I lay in bed reading the above exchange and just sighed**- these two men who despite ALL the odds made "lightning in a bottle" The Smiths - everything had to be "just so" for their band to have come into being. I was hoping there would be a "pause" where there would be some hyper awareness of this miracle that was their band, that they both would (despite the many perceived hurts on both sides) realize what they accomplished. That they even posses the gifts of talent they both have!
In the entirety of the human race there was one Beethoven, one Chopin etc. most - I'll speak for myself- have an endless depth of appreciation for Music but don't posses the instrument or talent to express it the way that Morrissey and Marr were gifted - that in itself is a wonderous joy - I watched Johnny playing the riffs from some of The Smiths songs on a You Tube video entitled falling in love with the guitar- it was just perfectly beautiful beyond words - this man created those riffs - simply amazing!
While it is not mutually exclusive to posses great talent and be able to rise above human shortcomings, as a mere fan I want these two people to see and recognize the miracle that was their creation, The Smiths as well as their separate successful careers. Don't sully your legacy in this way.
Reading the tweet responses of others chiming in one way or another with pettiness and threats of revelations etc. ..Just stop there is enough verbal and literal sewage in the world without this. There has to be some remnants love and respect there still between you both, so please with Peace and Love - learn form John and Paul don't wait till its too late, life is short, there are no do overs.
-Stay healthy and safe and God Bless you both

 

[Coolie]

The Smiths are timeless. Every member of that group was very fortunate to be in it, because it cemented a legacy for each one, a deep reverence. Somebody mentioned earlier that Morrissey - reputation, etc., is protected because there's so much love for him in his hometown, and all over really. If you think about it, I'm sure it goes for all of the Smiths.

Morrissey's music is his music. Johnny's music is his own. I really wish that Andy had done a post-Smiths project where he became more broadly known (and deservedly respected) as an ace player, like a Les Claypool or Marcus Miller type. And for Mike, if he would've kept playing every day he should've become a pretty versatile drummer 35 years down the road, but I'm not sure. I do know that he has a large family, so that's another legacy for him (and Johnny too).

The music they all made together was way ahead of their young ages, and it remains completely isolated from age today. In truth, new fans will still find Morrissey now as well as Johnny, but they're usually coming because of what they found when they discovered The Smiths.

No individual members (of The Smiths) by themselves can be The Smiths.

 

[Barking]

Absolutely.

Anyone who knows anything about Morrissey knows that the entirety of that open letter is a plea for a few scraps of kindness, wrapped up as a 'request' to be ignored.

He just wants to hear that JM cares and doesn't mean the stupid shit he sometimes says, and JM KNOWS THAT but still can't bring himself to do it. How difficult would it be for this bloke to say "Mozzer, you've got me all wrong - I don't think you're a monster at all. I love you mate, let's not spat like this."

It would mean the world to Moz.
Jesse, Nile and the Twatterati wouldn't know where to look, either.

However I look it's clear to see, that I love you more than you love me.
That's their entire relationship and whatever you think of Moz, the poor bastard doesn't deserve it.

Only you (and Julie Burchill) could think Morrissey needs a hug right now, and only you thinks he needs one from Johnny, (well he probably does, who doesn't?), but blimey Amy, I'm a grown dog and that almost brought a tear to my eye.

Because I wrote myself a letter and I mailed it too late.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Maybe it’s already been brought up
but what does Marr mean by

‘a bit 2021 yeah ?’

Is Marr really saying that the year 2021 is so long ago and far away that phrases, etc from just last year are no longer usable?

full quote...

‘Also, this fake news business…a bit 2021 yeah ?’

 

[Anonymous]

Nothing to do with Moz solo though, I get the feeling Moz is completely uninterested in the Smiths.

I've felt this for a while. Even on the rare occasions he has given interviews in the last few years, when Morrissey has mentioned the Smiths it is only to say how much better he feels his solo work is, or how much happier he is now. Even in his autobiography, he spent more pages moaning about the court case and perceived chart position failures than he did on the creative side of those records, or the songwriting process.

 

[Amy]

I've felt this for a while. Even on the rare occasions he has given interviews in the last few years, when Morrissey has mentioned the Smiths it is only to say how much better he feels his solo work is, or how much happier he is now. Even in his autobiography, he spent more pages moaning about the court case and perceived chart position failures than he did on the creative side of those records, or the songwriting process.

I think the combination of the court case and the estrangement from Johnny has really poisoned Morrissey's memory of the Smiths, and that's sad. Of course, he protests too much (remember when he ranked Swords above TQID in his personal 'Best of'?) but his pride in the Smiths always comes through, even when he's trying to hide it.

 

[Deleted member 29417]

Maybe it’s already been brought up
but what does Marr mean by

‘a bit 2021 yeah ?’

Is Marr really saying that the year 2021 is so long ago and far away that phrases, etc from just last year are no longer usable?

full quote...

‘Also, this fake news business…a bit 2021 yeah ?’

Probably a reference to the January 6th 'stop the steal' insurrection thing - since the whole tweet was smearing Morrissey as a Trump supporter.

The "right-wing" narrative is losing traction though - so it was interesting to see how many comments fell back on moany, bitchy, windbag, diva, "she" when insulting him.

 

[Dingoatemybabby]

Probably a reference to the January 6th 'stop the steal' insurrection thing - since the whole tweet was smearing Morrissey as a Trump supporter.

The "right-wing" narrative is losing traction though - so it was interesting to see how many comments fell back on moany, bitchy, windbag, diva, "she" when insulting him.

The Trump and fake news references were Johnny's way of saying Morrissey was lying. Morrissey used Trump misinformation techniques, he's being called out on that. No one's been able to come up with these terrible things that Johnny has supposedly said. If they were said in private, then it didn't warrant a public letter.

 

[Mardie]

You do, otherwise you wouldn't be reading and commenting on this wonderful Morrissey forum.

I'm talking about what Taybore Twit's opinion. She is vile.

Publicity that benefits no one? Neither Marr nor Morrissey come out of this spat having improved their public image.

I think it's a genuine beef.

Maybe, but it's still publicity.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

No one's been able to come up with these terrible things that Johnny has supposedly said.

Both Amy and Vex have posted link or article quotes to show that Morrissey was troubled by
Marr’s way of talking about him
in regards to The Smiths in a 2002 and 2012 interview.

It’s really not for us to judge what Marr would say that
would personally upset Morrissey, we could only speculate.

Morrissey sees it as something that’s been on going over the years.

He’s also concerned the way his name is used to create headline/clickbait. If Marr would not mention his name, especially in a negative way, then there would be less of a chance that the site/publication will create a clickbait headline.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Probably a reference to the January 6th 'stop the steal' insurrection thing - since the whole tweet was smearing Morrissey as a Trump supporter.

I guess. I wonder if even Morrissey knew what Marr was getting at with that ‘a bit 2021 yeah?’ line.

Because that term has been used for longer. And Trump wasn’t the first to use it. Maybe I’m just reading too much into it.

The "right-wing" narrative is losing traction though - so it was interesting to see how many comments fell back on moany, bitchy, windbag, diva, "she" when insulting him.

No humor or imagination. Like Marr’s tweet, falls flat.