Known for his work with The Smiths from 1982 to 1987, guitarist Johnny Marr went
on to play with several other bands before pursuing his own solo career. Born in
Manchester on October 31, 1963, as John Martin Maher, he gave up soccer to learn
to play the guitar, which he played with his first bands—The Paris Valentinos,
White Dice, and Freak Party—all of which also featured Andy Rourke. The two
recruited a new singer, Steven Morrissey, for their new project, The Smiths,
which enjoyed meteoric success beginning in 1982. Having become the most
influential rock band in the United Ki...