Morrissey claims Johnny Marr has obtained the rights to use The Smiths name
After Morrissey previously alleged Johnny Marr had rejected the chance to reunite The Smiths, he’s now claimed that the guitarist has acquired the rights to use the band’s name.
While the finances of the reunion offer were undisclosed, Morrissey issued a statement on his website that said it was on “lucrative” terms that he’d accepted. However, his plans were derailed when Marr turned down the opportunity to get the band back together for the first time since they split in 1987.
A statement on his website, published in late August, read, “In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as ‘The Smiths’ throughout 2025. Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.”
The message issued on behalf of the former frontman of the iconic Manchester group then signed off with a condescending remark about Marr’s solo career, stating, “Morrissey undertakes a largely sold-out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.”
Then, on September 11th, Morrissey shared a further update on his website that claimed Marr had prevented The Smiths from releasing a new compilation record. The statement began, “The proposed greatest hits album by The Smiths entitled Smiths Rule OK! has been blocked by J Marr. The album, and also the single Hand In Glove were planned for 2024 worldwide release by Warner Records along with a deluxe box release of The Smiths first album in order to commemorate its 40-year anniversary, and also a new 7-inch of This Charming Man.”
It continued: “Warner approached Morrissey and Darren Evans to assemble artwork for all four releases, all of which were rejected and halted out of hand by J Marr.”
Following his recent two revelations, Morrissey issued another statement on his website on September 15th, titled ‘The Plot Thickens’. The post claims: “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.”
The message also states “this action was done without any consultation to Morrissey, and without allowing Morrissey the standard opportunity of ‘objection’.”
It also claims that the acquisition of the trademark allows Marr to “tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice”. Furthermore, they claim this “prohibits Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying Morrissey considerable financial livelihood.”
The statement concluded by alleging that The Smiths name was created in May, 1982, by Morrissey “alone” with no assistance from his bandmates.
Although Marr has stayed largely silent on the matter, he did share an image of the Reform MP, Nigel Farage, when asked about the chances of a Smiths reunion on X following the Oasis news, in reference to Morrissey’s political views.
Could The Smiths reunite without Morrissey or Johnny Marr?
While, if Morrissey’s claim is true, Marr may have the ability to tour under the name of The Smiths without the frontman’s involvement, this doesn’t necessarily mean he has any plans to do so.
Additionally, Morrissey recently shared an interview on his website with Kiss frontman Gene Simmons, who pleaded with the frontman to tour as The Smiths regardless of whether Marr is part of the group.
“Get rid of the guitar player and get somebody off. Nobody cares. They just want to hear the songs,” he told Forbes as his advice to Morrissey.
Simmons also suggested the average ticket buyer likely wouldn’t even know who Marr is and would only care about hearing the hits, stating, “If you go down the street, and with all due respect to Johnny Marr, you go down the street and ask the general person, ‘Who’s Johnny Marr?’ they won’t know who you’re talking about.”
Far Out has contacted Johnny Marr for comment on Morrissey’s claims.
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