Key facts
- Johnny Marr is auctioning nearly 100 of his guitars.
- Guitars used on The Smiths' 'This Charming Man' and Billie Eilish's 'No Time To Die' are included.
- A 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, a gift from Seymour Stein, is part of the sale.
- The auction will take place on September 17 in London.
- Estimates for the guitars range from £1,000 to £150,000.
- Marr will donate proceeds from 10 lots to Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.
Johnny Marr, the acclaimed guitarist known for his work with The Smiths and numerous collaborations, is set to auction nearly 100 of his cherished guitars. The collection includes instruments integral to iconic songs such as The Smiths' 'This Charming Man' and Billie Eilish's James Bond theme 'No Time To Die'.
Marr's decision to part with his extensive collection stems from a desire to prevent his studio space from becoming a static museum. He expressed that the process of photographing his guitars for his book, 'Marr's Guitars,' made him realize the instruments could continue to inspire other musicians if they found new homes.
Among the notable items is a 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, a gift from music mogul Seymour Stein, which Marr first played on The Smiths' hit 'Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now.' Other highlights include a Gibson Les Paul used in early Smiths television appearances, a Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo featured on 'This Charming Man,' a Green burst Telecaster gifted by his wife, a Martin D-28 acoustic used for writing Smiths classics, and a Cherry Gibson Les Paul Standard from The Smiths' 'Meat Is Murder' era.
The auction, managed by Christie's, will feature 95 lots with estimates ranging from £1,000 to £150,000. The guitars will be displayed in New York and London before the sale on September 17. Marr plans to donate the hammer price of 10 specific lots to benefit The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.