Johnny Marr was born as John Martin Maher on 31 October 1963, in Ardwick, Manchester, England, of Irish descent, and is a musician, songwriter and singer, best known for being the lead guitarist of the British rock band The Smiths.
So just how rich is Johnny Marr? According to sources in early 2017, Marr’s fortune reaches $2.5 million, the main source being his music career which began in the early 1980s.
Johnny Marr Net Worth $2.5 million
Marr grew up in Ardwick, until in the early ’70s his family moved to Wythenshawe in South Manchester, where he attended St Augustine’s Catholic Grammar School. He later enrolled at Wythenshawe College, becoming the President of the Student Union.
His interest in music was developed during his teenage years, when he formed a band called Paris Valentinos, then he became a member of the band called White Dice and his third band was called Freak Party, but it was short-lived too.
In 1982 Marr met Steven Morrissey, and together they formed The Smiths. With Marr on guitar and Morrissey on vocals, the band was completed by bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce. In 1983 they signed with the indie label Rough Trade Records, releasing the single “Hand in Glove”, and the following year saw the release of their debut self-titled album which reached #2 on the UK Albums chart, greatly contributing to the band’s popularity. With his name becoming more known, Marr’s net worth began to increase too.
Their next album, “Meat Is Murder”, came out in 1985, reaching #1 on the UK Albums chart, and extensive tours followed, providing the band with a high level of fame and a large fan base.. Their third album, the 1986 “The Queen Is Dead”, was also a commercial and critical success, enabling Marr to further increase his popularity and his wealth as well. However, around this time he and Morrissey became involved in a conflict, which led him to leave the band in 1987. Shortly after, The Smiths, by now considered as one of the most influential bands of the ’80s, fell apart.
Marr went on to briefly perform with bands such as The Pretenders and The The, until in 1989 he formed an alternative dance band called Electronic, with New Order singer and guitarist Bernard Sumner. After releasing a hit single “Getting Away with It” in 1989, they went on to release their debut album in 1991, entitled “Electronics”. The album achieved great success, both critically and commercially, considerably adding to Marr’s fortune. Two more albums followed by the end of the decade, achieving modest success.
Meanwhile, Marr also worked as a session musician and writing collaborator for numerous artists and bands, including The Pet Shop Boys, Bryan Ferry, Kristy MacColl, Oasis and Billy Bragg.
In 2000 he formed a new band called Johnny Marr and the Healers, adding Zak Starkey on drums, Lee Spencer on guitar and Alonza Bevan on bass. Marr himself was the band’s singer and songwriter. They released one album in 2003, entitled “Boomslang”.
In 2006 he joined Modest Mouse, appearing in the band’s acclaimed 2007 album “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank”. The same year he served as a Visiting Professor of Music at the University of Salford, rewarded with an honorary doctorate from the university. All contributed to his net worth.
In 2008 Marr switched to another band, the Cribs. He wrote, played, and toured in support of their 2009 album “Ignore the Ignorant”, but leaving the band in 2011. He then pursued a solo career, releasing his debut solo album, “The Messenger”, in 2013. His second album, “Playland”, came out the following year so Marr’s solo career cemented his status of a talented artist, improving his wealth in a great way. Meanwhile, he also collaborated with other artists and bands, such as Hans Zimmer and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
In his private life, Marr has been married to Angie Brown since 1986. They have two children together.
