The guitars are a vital part of Johnny Marr's DNA – each one tells a story of triumph, heartache, and British music history. Now, 80 of them will be up for grabs at Christie's in London on September 17th, with some estimates reaching as high as £150,000! It's a chance for fans to own a piece of The Smiths' magic – think 'This Charming Man', 'What Difference Does It Make?', and more.
Marr's Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo is one of the most coveted items. This guitar made history on tracks like 'This Charming Man', but it also has a cheeky connection to Oasis, having been lent to Noel Gallagher for their debut single 'Supersonic'. The price tag? A staggering £80,000 – a testament to its legendary status.
Next up is Marr's 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, which could fetch an eye-watering £150,000. This guitar holds a special place in Marr's heart, having been the instrument of choice for his 'Top of the Pops' performances and even making appearances on The Smiths' iconic tracks.
But that's not all – fans will also have the chance to own the 1971 Martin D-28 acoustic guitar used on the timeless ballad 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out', estimated between £30,000 and £50,000. Or Marr's primary instrument, the 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard, which featured in The Smiths' final live performance and has since been borrowed by Bernard Sumner for New Order's hit 'Regret'.
Some of these instruments have even been lent to fellow musicians – a 1984 Gibson Les Paul Standard was used on tracks by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, The The, The Cribs, and Gorillaz. Meanwhile, Marr's Fender Jaguar, seen on 'Top of the Pops' during The Smiths' performance of 'Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now', is also up for grabs.
But that's not all – some of these guitars have been used in even more iconic moments, like Marr's contribution to the James Bond film score. And here's the cherry on top: Marr has pledged that the full proceeds from 10 lots will be donated to two important charities – the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the National Autistic Society.
Marr has shared his love affair with these instruments in his 2023 coffee table book, 'Marr's Guitars', taking fans on a journey through some of the most pivotal moments of his career. Now, it's time to own a piece of that history for yourself!