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

 

[Captain Caveman]

The depressing alternative is that Moz is using recent political tactics i.e. even if the lie is soon exposed, the impact of that lie registers with those who wish to ascribe malign motives to the 'enemy' party.

Morrissey has successfully got the narrative out there that Johnny wanted to replace him in the Smiths for his own reunion tour. Not everyone (especially the sycophantic slags) are going to believe Marr, so he's done enough to paint himself as a victim and Johnny as the bad guy. As with the 'Bonfire' debacle, or the Der Speigal interview, this is one area where Morrissey does operate in a Trump-like fashion - get his story out there, regardless of the truth, and some people will believe it.

 

[Thewlis]

 

[kissmyshadestoo]

I don't believe that Morrissey was deliberately lying, because nobody would embarrass themselves and taunt someone three times if they thought they would be exposed. The phrase "the plot thickens" - that suggests mystery i.e he did not know how or why Johnny had registered the trademark.

The most generous interpretation I can offer is that Morrissey is very poorly advised, was encouraged / enabled to sound off without having full possession of the facts, and is now back to being the unreasonable, lunatic Smith all over again. He needs to take a good look at the people around him, and think again about who he can trust. He seems to be surrounded by people who egg him on and say all the right things while they are filling their coffers, but set him up to fail.

He's like Elvis at the end of his career.....surrounded by yes men. It's sad. I feel like its been this way for a long time.

As far as their catalog/merchandise goes, I always thought they were missing out on have a cool "official" site that sold various items, whether it was offiically licensed shirts or even these boxsets being mentioned. I would think there's money to be made......I love the Replacements and Bob Mehr has done a fantastic job with their stuff. Imagine doing like a cool Meat Is Murder boxset and they release the Spain broadcast in Blu-Ray.....or South Bank Show documentary......heck the entire Rank show. I think enough people would buy it to make it worth their time.

 

[TheSmiths_1985]

 

[FactChecker]

Well, I saw that coming

Morrissey Central - "THE PLOT THICKENS" (September 15, 2024)

J Marr has successfully applied for 100% trademark rights / Intellectual Property ownership of The Smiths name. His application has been accepted on whatever oaths or proclamations he has put forward. This action was done without any consultation to Morrissey, and without allowing Morrissey the...

www.morrissey-solo.com

 

[Watson]

This is all very unsavoury and things are clearly unraveling for our Moz. The only thing that has brought some comfort is the image of WeirdUnclePeter, flaccid penis in sweaty palm, repeatedly hitting refresh on Johnny's website for the past 72 hours, just so that he could be the first to break the story. Which he duly did. He clearly is Moz's number one superfan. Bless him.

 

[Amy]

View attachment 111529

Christ. The response of a 5-year old.

 

[Thewlis]

Christ. The response of a 5-year old.

That account clearly is Sam, not Moz.

 

[Amy]

That account clearly is Sam, not Moz.

Whoever it is, it's pathetic beyond words.

 

[William Fisher]

- Where are we going?
- We’re all going mad!

 

[SteveWS]

This can only end up with the new Smiths: Johnny on guitar, the Pope on bass, and the bulls on drums.

 

[Captain Caveman]

As far as their catalog/merchandise goes, I always thought they were missing out on have a cool "official" site that sold various items, whether it was offiically licensed shirts or even these boxsets being mentioned. I would think there's money to be made......

I agree - it's nuts that they can't even manage to work together for something as mutually beneficial as a site where you could buy official Smiths T-shirts, posters etc. Everyone gets a slice of the profits, it's an easy win for all. How are things this dysfunctional between them? Is it the fact that Joyce would get 25% a sticking point?

 

[Amy]

Not sure if this is relevant, but - according to Johnny's statement, the joint ownership document for Morrissey to co-sign was sent to his representatives in January 2024. At that time, Moz was in Zurich, receiving 'medical supervision' for exhaustion. This was also just before he got new management, so he may not have had a formal manager at the time. Is it possible that he was unreachable as a result of that - and this is why he didn't know?

 

[dallow_bg]

Telling Morrissey "no".
That's unforgivable to Moz.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't know why but this feels sort of anticlimactic. Is it too much to want to see them fist fight or something . On a serious note, good on Marr for handling this like a gent. Morrissey should learn a thing or two from him . Just kidding, I'll never change the ol' Mozzer for anything. I'll still love him throughout all the mess.

 

[dallow_bg]

Not sure if this is relevant, but - according to Johnny's statement, the joint ownership document for Morrissey to co-sign was sent to his representatives in January 2024. At that time, Moz was in Zurich, receiving 'medical supervision' for exhaustion. Is it possible that he was unreachable as a result of that - and this is why he didn't know?

It's 8 months since then.
The letter would have gone to his lawyers and/or management.

 

[SteveWS]

Bearing grudges doesn't make a person more interesting.

 

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this is relevant, but - according to Johnny's statement, the joint ownership document for Morrissey to co-sign was sent to his representatives in January 2024. At that time, Moz was in Zurich, receiving 'medical supervision' for exhaustion. Is it possible that he was unreachable as a result of that - and this is why he didn't know?

He was also 'unreachable' in 2018 though, when the initial trademark issue arose. I'm guessing trying to get any kind of communication through to Morrissey is extremely challenging, especially if he keeps changing managers, legal teams and record labels.

 

[Benny-the-British-Butcher]

DEVIOUS
TRUCULENT
UNRELIABLE
SELFISH
LYING
MONEY GRABBING
EVIL
BASTARD
HAS BEEN
WANKER

Nobody has silenced Silly Steven the CrankFraud but himself.

Expect more cabbages at Beechmount Steve.

Me and BrummieBoy have always told the truth about this W@nker

Justice has been served today. He’s not a nice person or anything special.

Well done to the class act Johnny Marr

Benny

 

[Thewlis]