- Music
- 01 Oct 14
The legendary guitarist opens up on his celebrity pals, big screen ambitions and passing on the musical genes, in conversation with Hot Press’ Roisin Dwyer.
This weekend, Johnny Marr’s Playland hits the shelves; it comes just 18 months since his last full-length effort, The Messenger. While the former Smiths man draws heavily on his own urban environment, it turns out there’s an Irishman who provided the inspiration to get back in studio so quickly.
"The bands I liked when I was a kid just got on with being bands and that’s the reason why Rory Gallagher came to mind…There didn’t seem to be a lot of contrivance. It seemed to be about plugging in and playing, and then going out and doing it again and again."
While the legendary Gallagher is an enduring hero of Marr’s, there’s no shortage of modern artists who he admires. Working on the soundtrack to Spiderman 2 brought him in contact with some names that may not jump to mind as direct contemporaries of the indie icon.
"Pharell was amazing, as anyone would imagine. He’s very inspired. Working with Alicia Keys was really unexpected. She had a brilliant work ethic. Music is the best universal language."
Read the man himself discussing famous fans, screen dreams, and quiet afternoons at the football with Noel Gallagher in the new issue of Hot Press, out tomorrow!