Johnny Marr's Management response to Morrissey's allegations (September 17, 2024)

A statement from Johnny Marr's management:

Recent statements made by Morrissey on his website regarding the trademark of
The Smiths' name are incorrect.

Here are the facts:

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.

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.

In the interests of accuracy and clarity regarding the trademark, and to answer
recent reports that Marr ignored a promoter's offer to tour as The Smiths, Marr 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."

Additionally, speculation about Johnny Marr touring with a different singer as
The Smiths is not true. There are 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.

---

Related items:

• Morrissey Central: "THE PLOT THICKENS" - September 15, 2024
• Morrissey Central: "SMITHS NOT OK" - September 11, 2024
• Morrissey Central: "WAR IS OLD, ART IS YOUNG" - August 29, 2024

 

[Surface]

Such faith in Johnny Marr!

People surmise Morrissey wrote Speedway about him. It's a song about someone protecting a friend despite seeing their errors. I suggest Morrissey write a new song appreciating the musicians he's worked with since. Johnny Marr has turned against Morrissey and is trying to take advantage of bad publicity he's received. He has become an enemy.

In Dante's Circles of Hell, the lowest circle is reserved for the worst sinner, who in his view is the traitor and backstabber, those who used their position or trust or friendship to carry out their crime.

Don't you think you owe Marr an apology Fiona, oh and would you care to explain why your downvoting other members posts without giving a reason?

 

[Thewlis]

Don't you think you owe Marr an apology Fiona, oh and would you care to explain why your downvoting other members posts without giving a reason?

Ask @BrummieBoy

 

[Gareth Keenan]

Reminds me a bit of that spiegel interview
Moz denied that he’d said what was printed and said the tape needed to be released
Spiegel - hold my beer

 

[Surface]

Ask @BrummieBoy

Ask him what?

 

[JerryCan]

If it included their cat M has just demonstrated why it would still be a good idea.

That account clearly is Sam, not Moz.

I was wondering if he was out of all this as I've just been watching some of his vids on YT of the excellent continuing Pulp reunion in the US. But we have his © on that silly trademark stamp picture.

I like to think alot of apologising is going on.

 

[Anonymous]

Morrissey's original comments on this Smiths trademark thing has had a few thousand views on social media outlets since he mentioned it on Sunday, Johnny's response has had nearly a million in 3 hours.

Difference is Marr has an established social media presence and sometimes responds himself. A lot of people are probably badgering him and waiting for his response anyway. Morrissey just uses his website and left his social media manager(?) to pick up the pieces on FB and IG. To his detriment I admit. That's not really much of a brag that you think it is though.

 

[Benny-the-British-Butcher]

Open letter to Johnny Marr !

Dear Johnny

Promise me you will never ever reform The Smiths !!!!!!!

Thanks for all the memories and I now understand you own all the rights regarding “The Smiths”

As a personal investor in The Smiths over the years and from what I have read recently about the lead singer’s antics I urge you to sign nothing over.

I am more than happy for you to be the Senior Director of The Smiths
And/as well/ also ………. Profit from the above.

Love and best wishes to you and Angie XXXXX

Benny “

 

[Surface]

Yes, Johnny is much bigger on social media, so that’s hardly surprising is it?

You're missing the point, Morrissey makes these ill judged comments to a few thousand people and Johnny's response is seen by nearly a million who in the main will be fans of him/Morrissey/The Smiths so a shit load of fans see what a tit Morrissey is.

 

[Thewlis]

Ask him what?

Why he’s downvoting members votes with no reason. He just did that to 20 of my posts.

Have a good night, Brummie x

 

[Thewlis]

You're missing the point, Morrissey makes these ill judged comments to a few thousand people and Johnny's response is seen by nearly a million who in the main will be fans of him/Morrissey/The Smiths so a shit load of fans see what a tit Morrissey is.

Yes, and maybe these millions of people will all start listening to Johnny Marr’s solo albums and visit his shows now and will all turn their back on Morrissey.
Or maybe not. We will see.

 

[Billy A]

A decent statement, which hopefully is the end of whatever drama Morrissey has been trying to stir up. If he thinks bad publicity is good publicity, as the saying goes, then he is wrong. It’s not nice and it doesn’t make him look good. Maybe he has the wrong people around him.

How does he come out of this? Maybe an apology but that seems out of character. Regardless, it’d be a good start as it’ll showcase redeemable qualities.

What’s slightly baffling is that Marr and Morrissey share friends, or, at least, did. Chrissie Hynde and James spring to mind. They must talk about one and other. However, as Marr has played on stage with them both recently, I’m going to guess that whatever friendship they had with Morrissey has dried up.

I can understand Morrissey’s frustrations; no deal, attacks from the media and lack of interest from them, rarely any radio play (talking about radio in the UK), the list seems to go on, but he must understand that you don’t resolve that by becoming some bitter old man who would seem at home in the pits of X (formally known as Twitter).

But there was a time
When the kids reached up
And Papa Jack just
Pushed them away

 

[Surface]

Why he’s downvoting members votes with no reason. He just did that to 20 of my posts.

Have a good night, Brummie x

No idea, ask him why.

 

[ACTON]

I bet Moz didn't sign the joint ownership cos Marr didn't enclose a stamped addressed envelope, and it went against Moz's skinflint tendencies. For want of a stamp the Smithdom was lost.

 

[🐈🐈🐈]

Fiona Dodwell, over to you, Love.

 

[The Alchemist]

 

[Surface]

Yes, and maybe these millions of people will all start listening to Johnny Marr’s solo albums and visit his shows now and will all turn their back on Morrissey.
Or maybe not. We will see.

Well you like to quote the millions of Spotify listeners that Morrissey has, maybe they will start visiting his shows, or maybe not, we shall see.

 

[Anonymous]

When is Marr's show anyway? Tonight? Oh, that's why.

 

[Thewlis]

Well you like to quote the millions of Spotify listeners that Morrissey has, maybe they will start visiting his shows, or maybe not, we shall see.

I think most of them have already in the >1200 shows he has performed so far.
Some will continue to see him, others won’t.
That’s all fine isn’t it?

 

[Surface]

I think most of them have already in the >1200 shows he has performed so far.
Some will continue to see him, others won’t.
That’s all fine isn’t it?

A lot turned up to the shows that he didn't turn up to as well.

 

[The Alchemist]

All that comes to mind is....

The most inept that ever stepped....

I really do hope you're okay Mozza.