Audiobook Review: SET THE BOY FREE by Johnny Marr

SET THE BOY FREE by Johnny Marr (Author, Narrator)  Harper Audio Books, November 2016.  ISBN # 0062565001 / 9780052565006. Penderyn Music Book Prize Nominee For Longlist 2017.

 

Summary from the Goodreads website . . . .

 

The long-awaited memoir from the legendary guitarist and cofounder of the seminal British band The Smiths. An artist who helped define a period in popular culture, Johnny Marr tells his story in a memoir as vivid and arresting as his music. 

 

The Smiths, the band with the signature sound he cofounded, remains one of the most beloved bands ever, and have a profound influence on a number of acts that followed--from the Stone Roses, Suede, Blur, and Radiohead to Oasis, The Libertines, and Arctic Monkeys. 

 

Marr recalls his childhood growing up in the northern working-class city of Manchester, in a house filled with music. He takes us back to the summer of 1982 when, at eighteen, he sought out one Stephen Morrissey to form a new band they called The Smiths. Marr invites fans on stage, on the road, and in the studio for the five years.

 

The Smiths were together and how after a rapid ascent, the working-class teenage rock star enjoyed and battled with the perks of success until ideological differences, combined with his much publicized strained relationships with fellow band mates, caused him to leave in 1987. Marr's "escape" as he calls it, ensured the beginning of the end for one of the most influential groups of a generation. 

 

But The Smiths' end was only the beginning for Marr. The bona-fide guitar hero continues to experiment and evolve in his solo career to this day, playing with Paul McCartney, Pretenders, Modest Mouse, Oasis and collaborating with today's most creative and renowned artists. 

 

Rising above and beyond the personal struggles and bitter feuds, Marr delivers the story of his music and his band, sharing the real insights of a man who has made music his life, and finally giving fans what they've truly been waiting for.  

 

My review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

 

    Some musician's autobiographies are tedious affairs in which the author lets everyone know how clever, creative and what a genius he or she is. Not so with Johnny Marr. He's refreshingly to the point, and matter of fact. Not much editorializing here, except for when he does reveal his thoughts and feelings. There's definitely a benefit to an audiobook narrated by the author, as you can tell even more from his inflections and tone. 

 

     As founder, writer and lead guitarist for the legendary Smiths, this is essential reading for anyone interested in musical artists that make a lasting difference in their field, as the Smiths without question certainly did. 

Marr tells all here, how he became interested in music and guitar, how he learned, his influences, his early efforts, forming the Smiths and partnering with Morrissey, the band's break-up, his later collaborations with Electronic, The The, Modest Mouse, The Cribs and sessions with The Pretenders, Talking Heads, and Paul McCarthy. He's seen a lot and learned a lot and shares it all.

 

     Those expecting to read some dirt about any of these artists, or hear some trash-talking or blaming of Morrissey will be disappointed. Marr seems to get along with everybody, or at least he tries to. As revealed in the story, the break-up of The Smiths had more to do with the rhythm section of the band suing over the split of royalties than anything that Marr or Morrissey did. What a shame.