“I Was Really Heartbroken”: Johnny Marr on Leaving The Smiths and Rejecting an “Eye-Watering Amount of Money” To Reunite

While only together for a few years, The Smiths was often remembered as one of the top acts to come from the 1980s British independent music scene. From 1982 to the year the band broke up in 1987, The Smiths released four studio albums that featured songs like “Handsome Devil”, “You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet Baby”, and “Girlfriend In a Coma.” Although gaining a great deal of attention at the time, the band eventually broke up due to internal tensions. And decades later, musician Johnny Marr revealed the reason he left and why he continuously declined to take part in reunion shows. 

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Although some fans hoped that Morrissey, Marr, Mike Joyce, and Andy Rourke would eventually find their way back to the stage, that hope seemed nothing but a dream now. Especially since Rourke sadly passed away back in 2023. But even with the group losing a member, Marr recalled how quickly the good times turned sour. “I was having a great time, until I wasn’t. I got miserable.” 

Remembering the tension within the group, Marr insisted he fought back on the idea of leaving until he could no longer take it. “It was untenable, really. It was an emotional decision, but it wasn’t an impulsive decision either. I looked at it for quite a long time and I was really heartbroken about it, really. It was certainly not a career decision.”  

[RELATED: Johnny Marr’s Iconic Guitar That Led to Hits by The Smiths and Oasis]

Johnny Marr Cared Little About The Money

With many former bands finding common ground once again and returning to the stage, apparently, Marr was asked about doing a reunion show with The Smiths. “Yeah, we got made an offer really recently, in fact. But yeah, I said no. I’m not an idiot, I just think the vibe’s not right. Bad vibe. It was an eye-watering amount of money.”

While Marr didn’t reveal the number that was offered to him, the musician seemed content with his career at the moment. “I really like what I’m doing now, which makes it a lot easier.” He continued, “I like where I’m at. I still have to work at my craft, I still want to write the best song I’ve ever written.”

Outside of his own career, it appeared that Marr had no interest in returning to The Smiths. Still, with time healing all wounds, a reunion could happen, but it will take more than an “eye-watering amount of money.”

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