JOHNNY Marr, one of the most influential guitar players / songwriters in rock music will play Live at The Big Top, Limerick Milk Market on Monday June 24, 2024.
Johnny Marr (Maher) was born in Manchester of Irish parents who hailed originally from Athy, County Kildare. Playing music since the age of 13, Marr was co-founder and co-songwriter in The Smiths. Marr created the distinctive Smiths jangly guitar sound, a sound which has gone on to influence countless bands such as The Cranberries, The Sundays, The Decemberists and The National.
It is Johnny Marr that we have to thank for such classics as ‘How Soon Is Now’, ‘This Charming Man’, ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ and ‘Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want.’
Johnny last played in Limerick with The Smiths in November 1984 at the Savoy.
Since leaving The Smiths, Johnny Marr has carved out an award-winning career as a collaborator and solo-artist. Marr has played with The The; The Pretenders; Modest Mouse and The Cribs. He formed Electronic with Bernard Sumner of New Order and has also collaborated with Talking Heads, Bryan Ferry and Hans Zimmer. One of his most notable projects in recent years was the creation of a soundtrack for the 25th James Bond Movie ‘No Time To Die.’
Marr’s solo output has gone from strength to strength and his recent performance at the 2023 Electric Picnic can only be described as sublime. His previous appearance at the festival in 2019 is part of Electric Picnic folklore when the guitar legend played a killer set of classics and did a little crowdsurfing in a packed Electric Arena.
Johnny Marr has just released a ‘Spirit Power’, a compilation of his best songs from his solo recordings. He has also just published a new book called Marr’s Guitars. It contains photographs of each of Marr’s guitars and a short essay on each by the man himself.
In 2010, Marr was voted the fourth-best guitarist of the last 30 years in a BBC Poll. Mojo have described him as “arguably Britain’s last great guitar stylist.”
The NME gave him their “Godlike Genius” award in 2013 stating: “Not content with rewriting the history of music with one of the world’s greatest-ever bands, The Smiths, he’s continued to push boundaries and evolve throughout his career, working with some of the best and most exciting artists on the planet.”
Speaking at today’s announcement Mick Dolan said: “We are delighted to welcome the legendary Johnny Marr back to Limerick. Johnny last played in Limerick with The Smiths in November 1984 at the old Savoy. As the man responsible for the unique and highly influential sound of The Smiths and a hugely successful artist in his own right, Johnny Marr is up there with the world’s guitar greats such as Rory Gallagher and Jimmy Hendrix. The gig promises to be a major highlight marking our 30 years in the music business.”
Neil Dolan added:
“Dolans are beyond excited to announce this gig with Johnny Marr. Our venue has, for many years, celebrated the sounds emanating from Manchester. To have a founding member of The Smiths and one of the world’s greatest guitarists play at Limerick’s Milk Market is a major milestone for us. This gig is a must for all Indie music fans.”
Tickets go on sale Friday November 24 at 10am.
www.dolans.ie
www.ticketmaster.ie
