Johnny Marr is a musician and songwriter. Between 1982 and 1987 he was the guitarist and co-founder of The Smiths. He is now an established solo artist who has released two albums, The Messenger and Playland, to date. He currently lives in Manchester.
. . . wise, breezy, supersmart memoir . . . Marr's defiantly unghostwritten book is pleasant and direct . . . * Guardian * An unpretentious, clearly written memoir recounting his journey from a working-class upbringing on the outskirts of Manchester to his status as a musical polymath * The Times * Set the Boy Free - a telling title again - is much more than an obituary for a brilliant band. It's also a love letter to the women in Marr's life ... and a guide on how to keep changing and moving on with your creative life. * The Observer * It is a pleasure .... to read a memoir by a five-star guitar hero that ... present[s] a particular life in rock as one of pure, disarming joy and open possibility * New Statesman * The perfect book for aspiring musicians * Evening Standard * Excellent * The Sun * Set the Boy Free is a trip down memory lane featuring the all-star cast that Marr has rubbed shoulders with ... and it will likely serve as a guidebook to anyone who's ever dreamed about picking up the guitar and trying their hand at making music for a living because, at its heart, Set the Boy Free is written by a music fan for music fans. * Esquire * His sweetly and deceptively simple account of his lively youth and The Smith's early, joyous years ... will touch many * Mail on Sunday * Grounded and positive * MOJO * His writing is compassionate, courageous and concerned * Gigwise * Set The Boy Free tells the ordinary yet fascinating story of arguably one of the most influential guitar players of all time * The Pool * An excellent memoir. . . Stars don't come much brighter than Johnny Marr ... And it's a pleasure to hear the story from the man himself * Manchester Evening News * Smiths fans will love it for the insight into the songs ... He is relentlessly upbeat and positive * RTE Radio Arena Show * Set The Boy Free aims to set the record straight on the story of one of rock's most contentious break-ups * Hot Press * Marr's directness is refreshing * AV Club * A must read for indie fans * Vive le Rock *