Guitars owned by Johnny Marr, the legendary guitarist and songwriter for The Smiths, have sold for nearly £4 million at a Christie’s auction in London. The collection, featuring instruments used during the band’s tenure and on Marr’s upcoming solo record, generated £3,649,280—more than triple its preliminary estimate.
The five-hour sale attracted bidders from 34 countries and included approximately 80 guitars alongside amplifiers and other equipment integral to Marr’s career. Marr, whose first studio album in four years, The Age Of Everything, is scheduled for release on 2 October, described the event as exceeding his expectations.
“The auction has been a great experience,” Marr said. “I’d like to thank everyone who made bids and special thanks to Christie’s for making it so memorable.”
A highlight of the evening was a 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, which fetched £358,400 after a bidding war lasting over five minutes. This instrument was central to The Smiths’ early sound, appearing on their debut album and tracks such as This Charming Man and What Difference Does It Make? It also features on the cover of Oasis’s debut single Supersonic and was previously lent to Noel Gallagher during the recording of Definitely Maybe.
Another significant lot was Marr’s 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, which sold for £204,800. Marr credited the guitar with inspiring the music for the 1984 Smiths single Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now. He originally acquired the instrument in 1983 after joking with Sire Records founder Seymour Stein that the band would sign to the label if he received a new guitar.
In a gesture of philanthropy, Marr donated 100% of the hammer price for 31 lots, including 10 guitars, to two charities: The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society.
Amelia Walker of Christie’s remarked that the prices reflected Marr’s “groundbreaking and unparalleled musical influence.” She added, “It has been an absolute honour to work with him and to share these amazing instruments and their stories with so many fans, collectors and fellow musicians around the world.”
Marr served as the guitarist and co-songwriter for The Smiths alongside Morrissey. The Manchester-born band released four studio albums before disbanding in 1987, cementing their status as one of the defining groups of the British indie music scene.
£3.65 million for guitars! Makes me look at my dusty acoustic in the corner differently, honestly.
Triple the estimate is massive. I wonder if The Smiths’ legacy is finally getting the financial recognition it deserves?
Love that he gave all the proceeds to Guide Dogs and autism charities. Such a classy move from Johnny.
Wait, that same guitar was on the Oasis Supersonic cover? No wonder Noel borrowed it for Definitely Maybe.
Incredible that the Rickenbacker went for nearly £400k. That guitar literally defined a generation of indie rock.