Johnny Marr Guitars Fetch Nearly $700,000 at Auction
Iconic instruments played with The Smiths and on Oasis tracks were sold as part of a collection sale.
Two guitars owned by Manchester musician Johnny Marr have sold for more than £560,000 (approximately $695,000) at auction, Christie's announced. The instruments, integral to Marr's work with The Smiths and his solo career, were featured in the "Marr's Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection" sale.
Marr's 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo guitar, used throughout the recording of The Smiths' debut album and on early tours, sold for £358,400. This guitar was featured on songs such as "This Charming Man," "Still Ill," and "What Difference Does It Make?" It also appeared on the cover of Oasis's debut single "Supersonic." Marr had loaned this instrument to Noel Gallagher during the early recording sessions for Oasis's album "Definitely Maybe."
A second guitar, Marr's 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, sold for £204,800. Marr has stated that the music for The Smiths' 1984 single "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" and its B-side "Girl Afraid" was inspired by this instrument. The guitar was purchased for him in 1983 by Seymour Stein, founder of Sire Records, after Marr joked that The Smiths would sign to the label if Stein bought him a new guitar.
The auction precedes the release of Marr's first studio album in four years, "The Age Of Everything," which is scheduled for release on October 2. The collection sale highlights Marr's significant contribution to music history through his iconic instruments.