Johnny Marr auctions guitars played with The Smiths and Billie Eilish

Key facts

• Johnny Marr is auctioning nearly 100 guitars.
• The guitars include instruments played with The Smiths.
• The guitars include instruments played with Billie Eilish.
• Marr wants to prevent his studio from becoming a museum.
• The collection will be displayed in London.
• The collection will be displayed in New York.
• The auction is scheduled for September 17.
• The auction will be held at Christie's.

Musician Johnny Marr is set to auction a significant portion of his guitar collection, comprising nearly 100 instruments. The guitars include those he played during his time with the iconic band The Smiths and more recently with artist Billie Eilish. Marr's primary motivation for this sale is to prevent his personal recording studio from being converted into a museum. He intends to use the proceeds to maintain the studio as an active creative space. The collection will be exhibited to the public in both London and New York. Following these exhibitions, the guitars will go under the hammer at Christie's auction house on September 17. This event marks a significant moment for fans and collectors interested in acquiring pieces of rock and roll history.