Johnny Marr Responds to Morrissey’s Claims About Smiths Reunion Tour, Name Ownership: ‘It Was Left to Me to Protect the Legacy’
variety.comJem Aswad Executive Editor, Music With decades of unpleasant words between principal members Morrissey and Johnny Marr, the Smiths have long been one of the classic rock groups least likely to reunite, and it seems even less likely given the events of the past few weeks and days.
Last month, Morrissey claimed that the Smiths had received a lucrative offer for a reunion tour and that he was willing to go ahead with it, but that Marr “ignored the offer.” Last week, Morrissey further claimed that Marr was blocking the release of a Smiths greatest-hits album.
And earlier this week, Morrissey wrote on his website that Marr has acquired the rights to the Smiths name, meaning that he could conceivably tour under the group’s name with a different singer; he also says that he “alone created the musical unit name ‘The Smiths’ in May 1982.” Marr responded on Tuesday: 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.
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