Artist of the Week: Johnny Marr

This week WERS is featuring English musician and songwriter Johnny Marr. The number of accolades and bands that Marr has contributed is enough to stop a music lover in their tracks. Over the span of his career, Marr has contributed significantly to bands like Morrissey, The Smiths, Electronic, The The, Modest Mouse and The Cribs. Despite all of these collaborations, Marr someone managed to find time to work on solo tracks as well.

Marr developed a guitar-playing style described as “jangly” which quickly became popular with other musicians and many have begun to follow it in the Britpop era. In 2010, Marr was voted into the Top 5 Best Guitarist of last 30 years.

He recently announced an 18-date North American tour in support of his forthcoming solo album The Messenger which is due out on February 26. The tour will kick off in April and the three week tour will span the nation. Marr will be appearing at both Coachella weekends and will be playing with New Order on these dates. Details magazine said that The Messenger is a “hark back to the ’80s with chiming, effects-laden guitars and dreamy vocals.”

By Jeeyoon Kim

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