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Johnny Marr is simply one of the most skilled and influential guitarist of the 1980s. Upon forming The Smiths along side Morrissey in 1982, Johnny Marr defined guitar rock music in the UK for the next decade. His influence can be heard everywhere ranging from the likes of The Stone Roses, Oasis, Blur, Suede and more recently new bands such as Babyshambles among others. Having co-written such iconic songs like “This Charming Man”, “How Soon Is Now”, “There’s A Light That Never Goes Out”, Johnny Marr became a guitar hero for many generations to come.

After The Smiths split in 1987 what could he do for an encore? He simply carried on putting his magic guitar touch wherever he could participating on albums by Bryan Ferry, Tom Jones, Beck and Oasis. He temporally became a member of The Pretenders performing on tour and also appearing on the single “Windows of the World” b/w “1969″. He then joined The The, collaborating in what many see as the group’s classic album “Mind Bomb” which featured the hit, “The Beat(en) Generation”. Around the same time, he formed Electronic with Bernard Sumner (New Order) a group that also included occasional members Pet Shop Boys. The group had several hits notably “Getting Away With It” in 1989, and “Disappointed” featured on the Cool World soundtrack in 1992. Marr became as well a frequent collaborator with the Pet Shop Boys guesting on many songs and also providing all the guitar work on the duo’s 2002 rock oriented album Release.

In 2000 he began writing songs for a new project that ultimately became Johnny Marr and The Healers. It marked the first time he wrote all of the lyrics and performed all lead vocals on a project. The Healers included Zak Starkey (The Who, Oasis) on drums, Alonza Bevan (Kula Shaker) on bass and Lee Spencer (Cavewaves) on guitar. It was while the group was on tour supporting their debut “Boomslang” in 2003, that I got the chance to sit down with Johnny and discuss at length about his career and future plans.