Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher Reflect on Iconic Guitars

In a fascinating meeting of musical minds, Johnny Marr and Noel Gallagher recently came together to explore the storied history of Marr’s legendary guitar collection. The former The Smiths guitarist is set to auction off 80 of his instruments, including pieces used during his time with The Smiths and collaborations with artists like Billie Eilish, at an upcoming Christie’s exhibition.

The two Manchester icons inspected a 1982 black Rickenbacker 330, a guitar central to the creation of classic tracks such as 'This Charming Man'. For Gallagher, the sight of these instruments brought back vivid memories of the early days of Oasis. He recounted a story from the recording sessions of their debut album, Definitely Maybe, where Marr had generously lent some of his guitars to the band.

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Gallagher recalled the surreal experience of seeing a guitar belonging to his hero sitting on the floor of the studio. "I remember looking at it on the floor, going, 'that cannot be the fucking Smiths' guitar'," he laughed. "There’s no fucking way he’s sent that down here to a load of geezers from fucking Longsight!"

The conversation also touched upon the influence Marr’s gear had on Gallagher’s own songwriting. The Oasis chief revealed that one of the guitars gifted to him by Marr was the direct inspiration for the track 'Slide Away'. Marr, who recently contributed to Gallagher’s 2023 solo album Council Skies, noted that he has developed a keen sense for what producers and songwriters need from him in the studio, allowing him to elevate their work with his signature style.

The upcoming auction, which includes a red Gibson ES-355TDSV expected to fetch between £100,000 and £150,000, serves as a celebration of Marr’s storied career. Marr has confirmed that 100 per cent of the hammer price will be donated to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.

As Marr prepares to release his fifth solo album, The Age Of Everything, on October 2, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the tools that helped shape the sound of British guitar music for generations.

Johnny Marr Confirms Noel Gallagher Is Writing Songs for Fun

Legendary guitarist and former Smiths member Johnny Marr has shared an update on his long-time collaborator Noel Gallagher, revealing that the Britpop icon is currently “writing songs for fun.” The comments, made during a recent interview with Absolute Radio, have naturally sparked fresh speculation regarding the potential for new Oasis material.

“Yeah, I see him all the time,” Marr noted. “[He’s the] same as always, brilliant. He’s writing songs for fun, recording songs, enjoying himself, sending me hilarious WhatsApp’s — usually about Manchester United and lots and lots of effects pedals. [That] is the way our relationship has gone for 30 odd years now.”

While Marr offered no specific details on the nature of the music, the update aligns with previous reports from earlier this year, including comments from Noel Gallagher himself regarding his time in the studio. Fans have been eager for any sign of a new project since the band’s high-profile reunion in 2024 and their subsequent ‘Live ‘25’ tour.

Watch Johnny Marr Join Pet Shop Boys for Rare Live Performances

A Rare Collaboration at the Electric Ballroom

Pet Shop Boys treated fans to a special surprise during their recent residency at London’s Electric Ballroom, welcoming legendary guitarist Johnny Marr to the stage. The performance, which took place on Wednesday, March 8, was part of the duo’s ongoing ‘Obscure’ live series—a five-night residency dedicated exclusively to deep cuts and rarities from their extensive back catalogue.

The collaboration saw the trio breathe new life into tracks that have rarely, if ever, been performed live. Among the highlights were the live debuts of ‘Up Against It’ and ‘I Didn’t Get Where I Am Today’, alongside a rendition of ‘The Truck Driver and His Mate’, which had not been played live since 2002.

Deep Cuts and Career-Spanning Rarities

The ‘Obscure’ residency has been a masterclass in fan service, with Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant digging deep into their archives. Earlier shows in the week featured the first-ever live performances of tracks like ‘Jack The Lad’ (1986), ‘After The Event’ (2012), and ‘New Boy’ (2020). The setlist also marked the return of songs like ‘To Face The Truth’ and ‘Your Funny Uncle’, which had been absent from the stage for decades.

Marr’s appearance added a layer of historical significance to the evening. The guitarist, who famously formed the new wave supergroup Electronic with Tennant and Lowe in the late 1980s, integrated seamlessly into the set. Following the performance, Marr took to Instagram to express his gratitude, sharing photos from the stage and noting his excitement leading up to the gig.

A History of Creative Partnership

The connection between Marr and Pet Shop Boys is long-standing. Beyond their work in Electronic, Marr has contributed guitar work to numerous Pet Shop Boys albums, including 1990’s Behaviour, 2002’s Release, and 2009’s Yes. Their collaborative history extends to live appearances as well, including a notable 2017 performance at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

This latest guest spot continues a busy period for both acts. Pet Shop Boys recently released their 15th studio album, Nonetheless, to critical acclaim, while Johnny Marr continues to balance his solo career with high-profile projects, including his upcoming homecoming show at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl this July.

The Setlist

Pet Shop Boys’ setlist was:

• ‘Through You’
• ‘Will‐o‐the‐wisp’
• ‘Two Divided by Zero’
• ‘Jack the Lad’
• ‘The Truck Driver and His Mate’ (with Johnny Marr)
• ‘I Didn’t Get Where I Am Today’ (with Johnny Marr)
• ‘Up Against It’ (with Johnny Marr)
• ‘Hit and Miss’
• ‘Always’
• ‘One in a Million / Mr. Vain’
• ‘Sexy Northerner’
• ‘Young Offender’
• ‘It Couldn’t Happen Here’
• ‘New Boy’
• ‘King of Rome’
• ‘King’s Cross’
• ‘Love Is the Law’
• ‘Why Don’t We Live Together?’
• ‘The Performance of My Life’

Encore:

• ‘Your Funny Uncle’
• ‘The Way It Used to Be’
• ‘Later Tonight’
• ‘I Dream of a Better Tomorrow’