Book Review: Johnny Marr, Set the Boy Free

Johnny Marr has a good claim on the title of busiest guitarist in rock. Before embarking on his recent solo career with two well-received albums – The Messenger in 2013 and Playland in 2014 – the Manchester six–stringer had strapped on his trusty Fender Jaguar with Yorkshire upstarts The Cribs and Portland indie–darlings Modest Mouse. Having toured consistently throughout, and collaborated on soundtrack work with Hans Zimmer, it’s astounding to learn that Marr has also had time to put pen to paper for this highly–anticipated memoir.
Perhaps even more so than Mozza’s own fine and pointed autobiography, Set The Boy Free aims to set the record straight on the story of one of rock’s most contentious break–ups. Fans of The Smiths must be clamouring for more, since learning that the book reveals details of a 2008 meeting between the two former bandmates that nearly resulted in the most lusted-after reunion of recent years.