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

 

[The Alchemist]

1) A decent statement, which hopefully is the end of whatever drama Morrissey has been trying to stir up.

2) 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.

3) 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).

1) Not a chance it's the end.

2) Not a chance he apologises.

3) He either doesn't understand, or doesn't care.

 

[Thewlis]

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

That’s definitely true Fair enough.

 

[Phranc & Open]

I'm so excited to see which mouse hole FiDo slips into, to find a martyr story. Finally some people on X have the guts to come down harder on her and demand an apology.

 

[mabuk]

Comprehensive response, no room for further deception through omission by Morrissey. I was always disappointed they didn't see the decade out, should probably just be thankful these very different personalities stuck together for more than one LP. There's zero point to any 'reunion,' it would just be a shameless facade, what they do apart is at least honest, and frequently very interesting.

 

[Anonymous]

I wonder what will happened if I skipped out on a few days of reading moz-solo.

"A world war was announce
Days ago
But they didn't know
The lazy sunbathers"

I envy those with drama-free favourite singers/bands. But this is way more interesting and eventful I supposed than those bland popstars

 

[The Alchemist]

Interesting that Morrissey stopped commenting on political issues, but couldn't refrain on this topic. It's almost as if the frustration of having to remain silent in one area has just spilled out into another area.

 

[Anonymous]

Comprehensive response, no room for further deception through omission by Morrissey. I was always disappointed they didn't see the decade out, should probably just be thankful these very different personalities stuck together for more than one LP. There's zero point to any 'reunion,' it would just be a shameless facade, what they do apart is at least honest, and frequently very interesting.

Yes, I agree. I hope Moz is going to focus on his yet unrelesead materials now instead of the Smiths.

 

[Amy]

1) Not a chance it's the end.

2) Not a chance he apologises.

3) He either doesn't understand, or doesn't care.

I hope it's the end. Morrissey made an error of judgement, Johnny closed it down without a fight, there's nothing else to say on either side. Unless Moz decides to claim that JM is lying, and miraculously produces some proof and ...oh, I'm not even going there. We're fans, this is a good outcome in the circumstances, we don't need to dream up some future scenario where war restarts and they continue endlessly shit-raking until lawyers have to get involved.

 

[Southpaw80]

Not much else to say here, although one thought I had:
Wouldn't WMG not be obliged to consult both parties before proposing another release of Smiths music? How does Morrissey and someone called Darren dream up a new compo without Johnny's knowledge/approval - just weird.
Sing me to sleep ...

 

[The Alchemist]

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame invite could come.

Will you stand on a stage together?
Will you even speak to one another again?

 

[From The Lone Star State]

Thank you Johnny for always taking it upon yourself to protect the legacy of The Smiths.

Oh well, enough said.

Now, I can’t wait to see you live for the first time in Austin, Texas, in two weeks.

25 Morrissey shows/0 Marr shows

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting that Morrissey stopped commenting on political issues, but couldn't refrain on this topic. It's almost as if the frustration of having to remain silent in one area has just spilled out into another area.

His self-sabotaging tendencies has always spoken to me in a way since I have self-harmed before and while it didn't achieved anything truly beneficial, it always did gave me a sense of relief and control. I don't want to speculate on behalf of him but it does strikes a chord I'm familiar with. This is a bit TMI I know, but thank god for anonymous, right

 

[The Alchemist]

I hope it's the end. Morrissey made an error of judgement, Johnny closed it down without a fight, there's nothing else to say on either side. Unless Moz decides to claim that JM is lying, and miraculously produces some proof and ...oh, I'm not even going there. We're fans, this is a good outcome in the circumstances, we don't need to dream up some future scenario where war restarts and they continue endlessly shit-raking until lawyers have to get involved.

No need to dream it up, because it just seems like the most likely way events will unfold.

Marr has just clarified he rejected the reunion offer. That would be bad enough on its own, but it comes after Morrissey said Johnny hadn't responded.

So we're left with double embarrassment and probably double fury.

Rejection is one thing but rejection from a fool is cruel...

This basically seems to be the story of Morrissey's life, and if history tells us anything, it's that he won't let it go.

 

[Anonymous]

Comprehensive response, no room for further deception through omission by Morrissey. I was always disappointed they didn't see the decade out, should probably just be thankful these very different personalities stuck together for more than one LP. There's zero point to any 'reunion,' it would just be a shameless facade, what they do apart is at least honest, and frequently very interesting.

Well said, pretty much sums it up.

 

[SuedeMoz]

No need to dream it up, because it just seems like the most likely way events will unfold.

Marr has just clarified he rejected the reunion offer. That would be bad enough on its own, but it comes after Morrissey said Johnny hadn't responded.

So we're left with double embarrassment and probably double fury.

Rejection is one thing but rejection from a fool is cruel...

This basically seems to be the story of Morrissey's life, and if history tells us anything, it's that he won't let it go.

If Johnny had any lingering doubts about turning down The Smiths reunion... I bet he doesn't now. It's just sad really. It seemed like any opportunity for a reunion had long since passed - but in reality no. But for sure after this pointless drama - probably it has.

 

[marred]

How does any of us see the the future...? Bleak at the moment.

Why would this latest bit of news add to the bleakness? Have you been hoping for a Smiths reunion?

 

[Amy]

No need to dream it up, because it just seems like the most likely way events will unfold.

Marr has just clarified he rejected the reunion offer. That would be bad enough on its own, but it comes after Morrissey said Johnny hadn't responded.

So we're left with double embarrassment and probably double fury.
Rejection is one thing but rejection from a fool is cruel...

This basically seems to be the story of Morrissey's life, and if history tells us anything, it's that he won't let it go.

In the past, when Moz has been proven wrong or proven to have told lies, he just goes quiet. What else can he do? 'Own' the mistake (too proud), refuse to accept that it is a mistake (futile) or just hope it all goes away. When the real situation with Bonfire was revealed on Twitter, Moz couldn't respond. He had to admit that he'd bought it back. He tried to change the subject. He just runs away.

 

[The Alchemist]

If Johnny had any lingering doubts about turning down The Smiths reunion... I bet he doesn't now. It's just sad really. It seemed like any opportunity for a reunion had long since passed - but in reality no. But for sure after this pointless drama - probably it has.

Agree. It's sad that what could have been the rekindling of something beautiful has instead oscillated towards something terribly forlorn.

It's painfully reminiscent of Charles and Sebastian from Brideshead, and I'm seeing more of Sebastian in Morrissey than ever before.

That breaks my heart, because underneath all of this he will be suffering immensely, and he is seemingly unable to release himself from it.

 

[Anonymous]

It's really only the legacy that needs to be secured at this point, to ensure that whichever of the pair dies first, the other one can't exploit The Smiths name/back catalogue in whatever way they see fit. Though the way things are going, I expect in future generations can look forward to Sam and Nile playing a variation of this drama out to the bitter end, and beyond.

Hopefully most of us will be under the soil by that point.

 

[Thewlis]

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame invite could come.

Will you stand on a stage together?
Will you even speak to one another again?

No and no. Unfortunately.