Born in Manchester on October 31, 1963, John Martin Maher became known as Johnny Marr, guitarist and co-founder of The Smiths. Alongside lead singer Morrissey, he formed the band’s primary songwriting partnership, whose career—from 1982 to 1987—left its mark on British alternative rock. His melodic style and guitar arrangements made him an inspiration for generations of musicians.
After the band broke up, Marr pursued a diverse career, including stints with The The, Modest Mouse and The Cribs, as well as forming the band Electronic with Bernard Sumner of New Order. In the early 2000s, he led Johnny Marr + the Healers, with whom he released a single album, Boomslang, in 2003.
His solo discography continued with The Messenger, released in February 2013, followed by Playland, in 2014, and Call the Comet, in 2018. In 2022, he released the double album Fever Dreams Pts. 1–4, expanding the presence of electronic elements in his sound.
In 2023, he celebrated a decade of this phase with the compilation Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr. Two years later, he released Look Out Live!, a recording of a 2024 performance at the Hammersmith Apollo in London, featuring songs from his solo career as well as classics by The Smiths and Electronic, with a guest appearance by Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys.
On October 2, 2026, Marr released The Age of Everything, his fifth solo studio album, on BMG.
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