Johnny Marr has disputed a string of recent claims from Morrissey, who says that Marr declined a lucrative reunion tour offer, blocked a greatest hits album and acquired the trademark rights to The Smiths without informing him.
- READ MORE: The Smiths: every song ranked in order of greatness
On Sunday (September 15) Morrissey took to his website to allege that his ex-bandmate had acquired “trademark rights and Intellectual Property” of The Smiths, and could tour as a band without him. He stated that the action was taken without warning him or giving him a chance to object.
It followed his claims only a day prior that a Smiths ‘Greatest Hits’ album had been “blocked” by Marr. Before that, the former frontman also weighed in on the Oasis reunion, telling fans that he had received a lucrative offer for a Smiths reunion, but the prospect was quashed by Marr.
Now, Marr has responded to all claims via a statement from his management. In a post shared to Twitter/X today (September 17), his representatives say that Morrissey’s comments regarding the trademark of The Smiths’ name are “incorrect”.
“Here are the facts,” the statement begins. “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.”
The statement says that “a failure to respond” led to Marr registering the trademark himself, but that there was a subsequent agreement with Morrissey’s lawyers that the trademark was “held for the mutual benefit” of both parties.
It goes on to say that “as a gesture of goodwill”, Marr signed an assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey in January this year. “Execution of this document still requires Morrissey to sign,” the statement says.
Marr then comments directly, saying: “To prevent third parties from profiting from the band’s name, it was left to me to protect the legacy. This I have done on behalf of both. myself and my former bandmates.”
He also responded to Morrissey’s recent claims that Marr ignored a lucrative offer for a reunion tour, writing: “As for the offer to tour, I didn’t ignore the offer – I said no.”
Representatives go on to dispel Morrissey’s claims that Marr can now tour as The Smiths with a different singer, saying this is “not true” and that “there are no such plans”. They also explain suggestions of another greatest hits complication were declined by Marr “given the number already in existence”.
— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) September 17, 2024
The two were bandmates in The Smiths for six years and released four albums together during this time: ‘The Smiths’ (1984), ‘Meat Is Murder’ (1985), ‘The Queen Is Dead’ (1986), and ‘Strangeways, Here We Come’ (1987).
However, there has been bad blood between them for a number of years now, particularly over their difference in political views.
Morrissey recently said his former band’s popularity had not waned as it was all about “a refusal to surrender to enemy propaganda”, and also told fans that he felt that he had been “deleted” from the “essence” and history of The Smiths.
Back in 2019, Marr spoke to NME about whether or not he was worried about people viewing the music and legacy of The Smiths differently given the controversy surrounding Morrissey’s political beliefs and statements.
“I don’t think you can change history,” he said. “I’ve said that before. I’m not worried. It’s got nothing to do with my world or my life. The songs are out there for people to judge, relate to and hear. I think that’s all going to be forgotten in a few weeks, as these things inevitably are – for better or worse. It’s always been that way. I understand the issue, but I’m used to stuff coming and going.”
Later, in early 2022, Johnny Marr opened up further about his spat with Morrissey, saying that he felt he had to “defend [himself]”. It came after Morrissey asked Marr to stop mentioning him when giving interviews.
Recently, KISS’ Gene Simmons weighed in on the rift between Marr and Morrissey, describing the latter as “a great artist”, while simultaneously saying that the general public wouldn’t know who Marr is.
