Johnny Marr reveals what Paul McCartney said when he told him about The Smiths’ ugly breakup: “It’s such a brilliant answer coming from him”
The breakup of The Smiths at the height of their fame is the stuff of music legend. Famously, Johnny Marr was only 24 when band split, but over three decades later, he still remembers the simple nugget of wisdom Paul McCartney shared with him in the aftermath.
In the wake of the acrimonious dissolution of the band in 1987, Marr recalls meeting with McCartney, and spending “one long, incredible day” with him and his wife Linda. Of course, there could be no better person to go to for wisdom on all the complexities of being in a band – and navigating what happens when they split up – than a Beatle.
READ MORE: Paul McCartney’s advice to young bands: “Don’t rely too much on gadgetry. Just play it all, learn it all, write it all”
Speaking to MOJO, Marr recalls, “Linda was so generous as a person, she was asking me all about my life. And he was sat there so I just told him about the break-up of the band. I looked to him and waited and he just said, ‘That’s bands for you.’ It’s such a brilliant answer coming from him. Over the years, I’ve been asked to give advice. There is just a time to say, ‘That’s bands for you.’”
Marr also goes on to share how post-Smiths, he found purpose in being a “ringer”, as he didn’t feel ready to form another band right away. In fact, he says it gave him a sense of “sanctuary”.
“I just have to give credit to the people I was working with – [The The’s] Matt Johnson is one of my closest friends to this day. Bernard Sumner and Chrissie Hynde – that collection of people. Because I get very tight with people, you know.
“If you’re looking at it like a CV it seems to be flitting around a lot, but I know when I’ve got a good job – playing with Bryan Ferry and turning up on his records. There’s a time to not look too deeply at stuff,” he says.
Earlier this year, Marr also spoke of what it was like to play alongside McCartney. He told The Overlap podcast, “Paul McCartney on the other hand – and speaking as a musician – I had a mind-blowing experience playing with Paul McCartney when I was younger. He’s like having your 12th man. In a band he really is like having two guys. Because he’s so melodic, he’s so attitude-y, and just [has] amazing musicality.”
Johnny Marr’s new album, The Age of Everything, lands on 2 October. You can pre-order it now.
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