Johnny Marr Responds to Morrissey’s Claims Over The Smiths Trademark and Reunion Tour
Johnny Marr has swiftly dismissed Morrissey’s recent claims regarding the ownership of The Smiths trademark and his supposed refusal to reunite the iconic band. The tension between the two former bandmates of The Smiths, known for their rocky history, has resurfaced once again. This time, the dispute is over control of The Smiths' name and decisions surrounding its use in potential projects.
Morrissey recently accused Marr of acquiring the trademark for The Smiths without consulting him, suggesting that Marr’s move could pave the way for a tour with a new vocalist under The Smiths’ name. Morrissey also lamented that his former bandmate had blocked the release of a new greatest hits album. However, Marr’s representatives responded promptly to these allegations, firmly refuting them.
Also Read:According to Marr’s team, the guitarist reached out to Morrissey back in 2018 after discovering that no one from the band held the rights to The Smiths' trademark. A third party was attempting to use the band’s name, which led Marr to take action to protect it. After receiving no response from Morrissey at that time, Marr went ahead and secured the trademark. Eventually, it was agreed that the ownership would be shared between the two. In January 2024, as an act of goodwill, Marr even signed a document giving joint ownership of the trademark to Morrissey. The catch? Morrissey still hasn’t signed the document, leaving the situation in limbo.
Marr also addressed Morrissey’s claim that he had ignored an offer for a lucrative worldwide reunion tour. He denied this, stating that he did not ignore the offer but outright refused it, reaffirming his stance that he has no desire to reunite the band. He emphasized that his decision was made to protect The Smiths' legacy from exploitation, rejecting the idea of touring under the band’s name with a different vocalist as simply "not true."
Additionally, Marr confirmed that he declined Warner Music Group's suggestion of releasing another greatest hits album, pointing out that enough compilations already exist, and there’s little need for another.
These public disagreements highlight the ongoing strain between the former bandmates, who have not worked together since The Smiths disbanded in 1987. While fans of the band may still hold hope for a reunion, the latest turn of events suggests that the possibility remains unlikely.
In sum, Johnny Marr has positioned himself as the defender of The Smiths' legacy, both in terms of the band’s name and the way its music is handled. As for Morrissey, it remains to be seen whether he will sign the joint trademark agreement or continue to make his grievances public. For now, the future of The Smiths is left as it has been for decades—uncertain and steeped in lingering tensions between its once-great collaborators.
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