Johnny Marr has said he turned down the chance of a reunion tour with The Smiths. The guitarist and co-songwriter also said he stepped in to “protect the legacy” of the band’s name in a trademark row as he denied claims made by the band’s frontman Morrissey. Advertisement In a statement released on Tuesday by Marr’s management team, the 60-year-old said: “To prevent third parties from profiting from the band’s name, it was left to me protect the legacy.
“This I have done on behalf of both myself and my former bandmates. “As for the offer to tour, I didn’t ignore the offer – I said no.” Advertisement Morrissey (Andy Butterton/PA) The comments came in a response headlined “Recent statements by Morrissey on his website regarding the trademark of The Smiths name are incorrect”.
Advertisement The Manchester band had a string of hits in the 1980s with songs including Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, This Charming Man and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, and split in 1987. Morrissey, 65, said in August that Marr had turned down a reunion tour. Advertisement Claims were also made that the guitarist had “successfully applied for 100% trademark rights.
.. without any consultation” with Morrissey.
Marr’s management said: “In 2018, following an attempt by a third party to use The Smiths’ name – and upon discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band – Marr reached out to Morrissey, via his representatives, to work together in protect.