1984
Melody Maker - 14 April 1984
'We're really getting back to the original inspiration for making music. Right back at the birth of this phenomenon called pop music, music was a way of bringing young people together and inspiring them. That's exactly what we're trying to do: we're trying to get back to old values that have been lost.'
Johnny Guitar by Allan Jones.
One of Johnny's earliest interviews, discussing the philosophy of The Smiths and his songwriting partnership with Morrissey.
No.1 - 25 August 1984
Johnny Too Bad by Nick Adams.
Morrissey is the public face of The Smiths. While he waves the words and the flowers, his three fellow Smiths let their music do the talking. Guitarist Johnny Marr co-founded the band, writes all the tunes and sports a neat line in winkle-pickers. Nick Adams asks him to step into the limelight.
Smash Hits - 30 August 1984
"I'm one of these people who turns night into day. I play and write songs and go to bed really early in the morning. Trouble is, as soon as I put my head down I write 300 Number Ones and then when I wake up I can't remember any of them."
Johnny stars in Smash Hits' Personal File feature.
1985
Melody Maker - 3 August 1985
'So much has been made of that first meeting with Morrissey, but I suppose that looking back at it, it must have been the attraction of opposites.'
The thoughts of Chairman Marr by Barry McIlheney.
Lengthy interview covering topics such as Morrissey being The Smiths' representative in the press, touring, becoming successful, his own musical tastes, his Irish heritage, adolescence, and his relationship with Morrissey.
1986
Record Mirror - 14 June 1986
Johnny Marr by Eleanor Levy.
'I play guitar in a hip group and I'm skinny with dark hair. Sounds perfect to me.' As The Smiths tell the world 'The Queen is Dead', J Marr tells us about record company disputes, moving to London, drunkards wandering around his garden at two o'clock in the morning...and coming to terms with sex symbol status.
1987
NME - 14 February 1987
Exile on Mainstream by Danny Kelly.
Smiths' ears have been ringing all year with accusations of racism ('Panic'), rockism (two axemen), and sell-out (signing to EMI). 'Shoplifters...' sees them stealing up the charts and now 'The World Won't Listen'. Bring in JOHNNY MARR - guitarist, composer, hirer and firer, producer and committed muso - to answer Danny Kelly's reservations.
BAM - 3 July 1987
'We never lose sight of the aspect that if you can't hear someone with an acoustic guitar and voice singing it, then it doesn't mean anything.'
Marr needs guitars by Cary Darling.
Interview covering topics such as: Johnny's musical roots, meeting Morrissey, songwriting, synthesisers, working with Craig Gannon, drinking, crowd violence on the recent tour, and the move to EMI.