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

 

[Ashley_TakeABow]

Sorry Ashley, but you don't look enough like a young Johnny Marr to stand a chance with the Mozzer.

LOL, true. Luckily I don't want a chance with him. Being his friend though, yes, in another world I wish I could be. We'd get along well, we would never pick up each others phone calls (actually, we would never call each other) only hang out once in a blue moon to have somewhat deep conversations. Perfect friendship in my opinion.

 

[minminmusic]

I almost never post on here but the one thing I haven't seen anyone mention...that if Johnny REALLY wanted to go for the head shot instead of a fact-based de-escalation, he could have easily said in that statement "Yes...I turned down the reunion offer. In light of Andy Rourke's recent passing, I felt such discussions were inappropriate." Which...is essentially true (I'm certain those close are still mourning) and would have made Morrissey appear to be even more the villain.

Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and he didn't but time will tell.

 

[Mohnny Jarr]

I feel like years ago, it was easy to romanticise Morrissey's depression, social anxiety, interpersonal issues etc because it was packaged up with his "image" in a very fluffy, palatable way - the back-bedroom casualty, chained to the women's section of the library, tucked up in bed by 10pm with tea and toast and all that. "An ailing Victorian" as one journo put it. He could say things like "I just don't like people" or "I expect everything I do to go down in the annals of history" and you could just laugh and appreciate the hyperbole. It was so exaggerated - nobody thought he was really like that.

Now it feels like the real dysfunction has replaced the mythology. What was hyperbole is now genuine alienation, grandiosity, anger, paranoia, a total refusal to 'climb down' when he has made mistakes. I have faith in Johnny's humanity, even though he sometimes lets himself down, and I believe he understands these difficulties more than anyone else. That is the only light in the tunnel for me.

TL;DR:

This reminds me of the interview Johnny did around 2002 that I believe you posted about a LONG time ago.

Thread 'Johnny Marr discusses relationship with Morrissey, circa.2002'
https://www.morrissey-solo.com/thre...elationship-with-morrissey-circa-2002.117569/

Specifically, when asked to surmise Morrissey, Johnny said:

…The thing that brought us really close together is the essence of why he lives his life and why I live my life. And that is that without what we consider to be the art of pop music and pop culture, life doesn’t make any sense. And that understanding: He needed it like I needed it. It was a pretty serious, deep need. It wasn’t just the need to escape our social situation, because underneath it all, one of the things that makes us the same is that we’re both incredibly sensitive. There was this serious burden with serious mental problems that were taken care of by records.

Although I’m sure there are many different factors at play (I can think of a few), that last part really does make me believe that the lack of record deals, etc., have had a considerable effect on where Morrissey’s mental state currently appears to be and why the sudden outbursts. That being said, I am not saying that’s unusual behavior for him, nor am I saying that there isn’t a clear solution in self-publishing or any other reasonable course of action, but as many people who struggle with mental health will know, the most simple, reasonable solution is often the most difficult one to take. In the way Johnny’s life diverged, I think he’s largely overcome this, whereas with Morrissey…less so.

Also, I would agree that Johnny is probably the most understanding person on this subject, seeing as he as much says so himself in this interview:

Only he and I know that something like a fight or a difference in lifestyles or court cases or who said what in the press about who, or what fans might say, is pretty small change compared to the connection we have. It’s very deep. In short, there’s a very big part of him that I understand. And he knows it.

Unfortunately, we’re very far away from the people they both were in 2002, and many things have changed. But I do think this is insightful to how the way Johnny handled this is not only for his own wellbeing, but likely for Morrissey’s sake too because of that understanding of where Morrissey’s head might currently be at. The response was not reactionary, it was straightforward, and like many have stated, still left a door open out of respect to what they created. This was the very best I think Johnny could do considering the circumstances without groveling to someone who is irrationally lashing out, and I respect him for it.

 

[gashonthenail]

I almost never post on here but the one thing I haven't seen anyone mention...that if Johnny REALLY wanted to go for the head shot instead of a fact-based de-escalation, he could have easily said in that statement "Yes...I turned down the reunion offer. In light of Andy Rourke's recent passing, I felt such discussions were inappropriate." Which...is essentially true (I'm certain those close are still mourning) and would have made Morrissey appear to be even more the villain.

Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and he didn't but time will tell.

He could have said that - but he didn't because most probably his decision to turn down the offer was nothing to do with Andy's passing. He turned it down because he doesn't want to share a stage with Morrissey. For obvious reasons.

 

[Amy]

This reminds me of the interview Johnny did around 2002 that I believe you posted about a LONG time ago.

Thread 'Johnny Marr discusses relationship with Morrissey, circa.2002'
https://www.morrissey-solo.com/thre...elationship-with-morrissey-circa-2002.117569/

Specifically, when asked to surmise Morrissey, Johnny said:

…The thing that brought us really close together is the essence of why he lives his life and why I live my life. And that is that without what we consider to be the art of pop music and pop culture, life doesn’t make any sense. And that understanding: He needed it like I needed it. It was a pretty serious, deep need. It wasn’t just the need to escape our social situation, because underneath it all, one of the things that makes us the same is that we’re both incredibly sensitive. There was this serious burden with serious mental problems that were taken care of by records.

Although I’m sure there are many different factors at play (I can think of a few), that last part really does make me believe that the lack of record deals, etc., have had a considerable effect on where Morrissey’s mental state currently appears to be and why the sudden outbursts. That being said, I am not saying that’s unusual behavior for him, nor am I saying that there isn’t a clear solution in self-publishing or any other reasonable course of action, but as many people who struggle with mental health will know, the most simple, reasonable solution is often the most difficult one to take. In the way Johnny’s life diverged, I think he’s largely overcome this, whereas with Morrissey…less so.

Also, I would agree that Johnny is probably the most understanding person on this subject, seeing as he as much says so himself in this interview:

Only he and I know that something like a fight or a difference in lifestyles or court cases or who said what in the press about who, or what fans might say, is pretty small change compared to the connection we have. It’s very deep. In short, there’s a very big part of him that I understand. And he knows it.

Unfortunately, we’re very far away from the people they both were in 2002, and many things have changed. But I do think this is insightful to how the way Johnny handled this is not only for his own wellbeing, but likely for Morrissey’s sake too because of that understanding of where Morrissey’s head might currently be at. The response was not reactionary, it was straightforward, and like many have stated, still left a door open out of respect to what they created. This was the very best I think Johnny could do considering the circumstances without groveling to someone who is irrationally lashing out, and I respect him for it.

That Magnet interview was so lovely. I wish it were possible to send it to Moz and make him read it, because he seems to think Johnny completely hates him.

This line stands out too - "I was probably as dysfunctional in my own way as he was until I immersed myself in pop culture". Unexpected maybe but it makes sense - even moreso when you look at the post-Smiths vocalists he has worked with like Matt Johnson, Isaac Brock etc. Very similar 'difficult people with problems', and he is obviously very drawn to that.

 

[minminmusic]

He could have said that - but he didn't because most probably his decision to turn down the offer was nothing to do with Andy's passing. He turned it down because he doesn't want to share a stage with Morrissey. For obvious reasons.

Agreed...because he knows it will probably be "more of the same" and he knows very well what to expect and that things really haven't changed. But...I would also think that Andy's recent passing weighs heavily on him given the nature of their long-term relationship/friendship.

My point being...if the game was to escalate and insinuate the way Morrissey has...he could have easily approached this with a flame thrower and cast a much more negative shadow towards Morrissey in the court of public opinion. But he didn't...

 

[Mohnny Jarr]

That Magnet interview was so lovely. I wish it were possible to send it to Moz and make him read it, because he seems to think Johnny completely hates him.

This line stands out too - "I was probably as dysfunctional in my own way as he was until I immersed myself in pop culture". Unexpected maybe but it makes sense - even moreso when you look at the post-Smiths vocalists he has worked with like Matt Johnson, Isaac Brock etc. Very similar 'difficult people with problems', and he is obviously very drawn to it.

A lot of people throwing such vitriol at Johnny Marr could probably benefit from a read too.

But I digress

In the words of Johnny himself, “people think that I’m the antithesis of Morrissey. If that’s the thing they relate to me for, well, they’re wrong.”

http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2002/12/15/qa-with-johnny-marr/

 

[Baird]

6 years to share the rights

 

[Katsneezle]

View attachment 111589

Huh, did Johnny name his album in honor of Morrissey? New insight!

 

[DaveJCarr]

I hope he doesn't and just lets it die. It seems that once exposed (meaning when the truth comes out) he drops it and doesn't mention it anymore. Of course, there might be a great new FiDo 'article' to explain it all.

You could be right. I hope you are. In this case, I don't know. There's so much riding on it, I think he has to respond to get whatever his side of the story is out. Maybe the response will just be challenging the copyright, which he could have done at any point and could still do without all of the public nonsense that he seems very clear to me that he thinks he was responsible for every major part of the band identity and I think it would be irresistible to him to let an opportunity pass to substantiate that on some kind of legal record regardless of what anybody else might think in terms of the artistry and the metaphysics of the history

 

[dallow_bg]

6 years to share the rights

And 6 years for Moz to care.
Never mind the fact that he had reached out 6 years ago to no avail before taking ownership.

 

[The Alchemist]

LOL the beef comment, made me laugh

Made me laugh too, but seems no mention of beef in the headline now, so that appears to have been altered.

But the near the beginning, the article does still mention 'The This Charming Man hitmakers have endured a timeline of beef since their 1987 split'

 

[Thewlis]

Central: Morrissey has severed all connections with Red Light Management/Pete Galli Management.

What else is new

 

[Mohnny Jarr]

Central: Morrissey has severed all connections with Red Light Management/Pete Galli Management.

What else is new

Well, I suppose the plot really does thicken.

 

[Discorobot]

Central: Morrissey has severed all connections with Red Light Management/Pete Galli Management.

What else is new

I assumed this was a joke! Insanity.

 

[Lujan369]

Solo para verificar si Steven Quilloughby CrankFraud Dorrissey ya emitió una disculpa pública.
No sólo a Johnny sino también a toda la familia Smithdom.

Estoy adivinando
a) Va a ser un completo imbécil ignorante.
b) Se toma su tiempo intentando componer algo que sólo él piensa que es inteligente.

Benny :cuchillo:

Sos infumable!!!

 

[Lujan369]

Cry harder , crybully!

Your cult leader has crashed and burned & you're trying to do PR damage limitation. Ineptly!

Your constant attempts to demonise me & your demands that the moderators censor my input is a sign of your desperation. Your motives are totally transparent.

You probably fantasise that Morrissey notices your pathetic attempt to form a praetorian guard here with that other numpty eejit Malarkey.

I'm 'deplorable '? Who do you think you are? Hilary Clinton?

Defamation?
Are you a lawyer? Doubt it given your ludicrous prose.

If Steven Patrick Morrissey wants to send me a Letter Before Action he can do so via the site proprietor...were he do so, trust me, he'd receive an appropriate response:balls deep & both barrels.

You cried wolf claiming I'd sent you abusive messages but, of course, you cannot produce any evidence because I did no such thing.

Stop referring to me to try and raise your profile here.

This thread is about Johnny Marr's exquisitely focused and compassionate response to Morrissey's latest meltdown. He could have inserted a picture of a 'For Britain' lapel badge instead of an innocuous photo of Nigel Farage but didn't because he is probably deeply concerned this turn of events.

I don't know what role Morrissey's late mother had in advising her troubled son in her final years but I assume Morrissey is still reeling from her passing. It's clear he either has no management or just surrounds himself with flunkeys too scared to reign in his bizarre paranoid ideation about this trademark issue. Or they are so totally incompetent that they didn't even relay the correspondence from Team Johnny. Either way, Morrissey's remains responsible for this debacle- nobody else. Does he ignore correspondence from the tax authorities?

Please refrain from further attempts to police my contributions here and stop trying to generate a pile on. Trust me: your credibility and influence here is minimal.

Have a nice day @goinghome

His message too long... it looks like the letter Moz sent to J Marr not long ago. Ha, ha, but hey, you shouldn't take it so seriously... This place is a showstopper

 

[SteveWS]

Yet another of the apparently zillion aspects to consider when discussing Moz's curious persona/personality is that, from a very young age, he was enamoured of the whole business of stardom; and not merely stardom for himself, but stardom in others (i.e. actual stars of stage, screen, sounds etc etc). Soooooo, some of his much-criticised and debated actions could possibly be reflections of his being bedazzled by the idea of being & acting like a star of some kind or other. This might explain his passion for dishing out waspish and memorable criticism, like that of the fictional 'notoriously acerbic' personality Sheridan Whiteside; his apparent love of grudges and feuds, like the verbal (and sometimes physical) duelling of Norman Mailer and Gore Vidal; and of course his taste for the supposedly diva-like and aristocratic 'Never explain' approach to so many situations. And so on.

 

[goinghome]

more media coverage
https://www.billboard.com/music/mus...k-morrissey-trademark-tour-claims-1235777846/

https://variety.com/2024/music/news...esponds-to-morrissey-reunion-tour-1236147686/

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/en...ark-smiths-claims_uk_66ea81d8e4b0beccbbaf3a36

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowb...mate-Morrissey-offer-Smiths-reunion-tour.html

and much more

"The spirit of the age [80s-90s] was diverse enough to embrace the post-punk songwriting of Elvis Costello, the artsy synthpop of Cyndi Lauper, the androgynous neo-punk of Prince, the glittery dance grooves of blondie, the dark melancholiy of Morrissey and his band The Smiths, and countless other unique takes on musical self-expression."

This sentence is found on page 424 of Ted Gioia's 2019 book, Music: A Subversive History. Why does it matter what Ted Gioia thinks? Because among music historians, he's emerged as the paragon, heralded by critics of every musical genre for his life-long scholarship in the area.

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/ted-gioia/music/9781541617971/?lens=basic-books

That such an expert refers to The Smiths as Morrissey's band carries much weight:

"the dark melancholy of Morrissey and his band The Smiths"

That's not to deny the role of the co-founder and the guitar talent, but it is to underline that Morrissey is the one that can't be done without when it comes to the identity of The Smiths. If Marr is bent on persisting with snapping at Morrissey, waging law-fare against him, sniping at him in public and joining in with the character assassination mob, that's got to be confronted, even if it can't be immediately stopped. Let Marr knock himself out and capture that attention craved, even if it's increasingly procured at the expense of his one-time comrade.

I wouldn't advise Morrissey to hold out for sole attribution or a reunion but my own uninformed sense is that he should attend to the trademark paperwork without delay and ensure he's at least named as one of the two equal owners of the 'brand', in that assignment of joint ownership, which might first require some renegotiation and redrafting. Thrash it out and get it right. Other trusted musicians and people familiar with the music industry could suggest appropriate and best next steps, to redeem what is owed at this sorry pass.

And when people choose a 'team' and they hate on one or the other, they take some of the magic away. #TeamSmiths

There is so much to be proud of. Few can touch it. Possessing peace of mind, quality of life and agreeing only to undertakings most enjoyed may inform a future mindset to transcend ungracious squabbles, increasingly a defining behavior of this dark era, against which, for so many for so long, The Smiths were a bulwark. Let The Smiths live on.

 

[Lujan369]

Todo sucedió como se esperaba, por desgracia. Sabía que Morrissey seguiría insistiendo infantilmente hasta que alguien finalmente dijera algo. Con todos los rumores, Johnny no podía quedarse callado para siempre. Johnny lo manejó de la manera más profesional, manteniéndose formal y centrándose en los hechos. Realmente no sé por qué Morrissey hace esto con su carrera, realmente parece estar muy enfermo mental y no puede evitarlo, porque nadie en su sano juicio sería tan loco como para correr hasta el suelo a propósito y más de una vez. Es simplemente desconcertante, Der Spiegel, Bonfire/Capitol, ahora esto: él debe saber que el otro lado puede presentar hechos y lo hará cuando se le presione lo suficiente. ¿Y ahora qué? No ha ganado absolutamente nada positivo de esto. Nada. Exponerse como un mentiroso y un lunático paranoico (de nuevo), hizo a Johnny aún más popular como el guardián y el cuerdo de los Smiths y la posibilidad de que un sello lo contrate se esté reduciendo aún más. No entiendo por qué sus súper fanáticos dicen que eso es brutalmente honesto, cuando él está mintiendo y saboteándose a sí mismo. Eso no es ingenioso ni divertido ni artístico, eso es realmente enfermizo.

Siento que hace años era fácil romantizar la depresión, la ansiedad social, los problemas interpersonales, etc. de Morrissey porque todo estaba empaquetado con su "imagen" de una manera muy suave y agradable: la víctima del dormitorio trasero, encadenada a la sección de mujeres de la biblioteca, metida en la cama a las 10 de la noche con té y tostadas y todo eso. "Un victoriano enfermo", como dijo un periodista. Podía decir cosas como "No me gusta la gente " o "Espero que todo lo que hago pase a los anales de la historia" y uno podía reírse y apreciar la hipérbole. Era tan exagerado que nadie pensaba que realmente fuera así.

Ahora parece que la disfunción real ha sustituido a la mitología. Lo que era una hipérbole es ahora una auténtica alienación, grandiosidad, ira, paranoia, una negativa total a "bajar" cuando ha cometido errores. Tengo fe en la humanidad de Johnny, aunque a veces se defraude a sí mismo, y creo que entiende estas dificultades mejor que nadie. Esa es la única luz en el túnel para mí.

Resumen:

mm....terrible!! Triste