Ernie Ball: String Theory featuring Johnny Marr

"There’s politics in it, there’s obsession in it, there’s romanticism in it, there’s poetry in it, and there’s your own personal relationship to it. It’s an entire world really."

In this episode, Johnny Marr (The Smiths) discusses his inspirations in music and guitar and his relationship with Ernie Ball from the beginning.

String Theory is a web series from Ernie Ball that explores the sonic origins of some of music's most innovative players.

[adriu]

I could listen to him just playing for hours...

[julianpratt]

Legend. As Noel Gallagher said "Not even Johnny Marr can play like Johnny Marr"

[philisaacs]

Johnny Marr definitely has a definitive style

[slumber]

It's very rare that I'm interested about an artist beyond their professional career but Johnny is one of them.

Great on the guitar/songwriting, of course but his endeavor & his way of conducting himself amazed me. Huge respect, one of a kind.

[Malto_Dextrin]

Johnny Marr is a bona fide genius!
Songs played (times approximate):
00:00 What Difference Does It Make? - the Smiths
1:00 That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore - the Smiths
2:00 There Is a Light That Never Goes Out - the Smiths
3:23 Hi Hello - Johnny Marr/Call the Comet
5:00 How Soon Is Now - the Smiths
6:50 Walk Into the Sea - Johnny Marr/Call the Comet
8:40 Headmaster Ritual - the Smiths
10:09 Accept Yourself - the Smiths
10:58 Bug - Johnny Marr/Call the Comet
13:13 Still Ill - the Smiths
14:15 That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore - the Smiths

[yorkie]

What a fantastic bloke, so humble. Just starting out on my guitar journey in my 60's, he's a real inspiration.

[richardmeftah]

He always comes across as such a nice guy. He's just so down to earth and just really loves his music which he's really rather good at!

[Johnsonjackson]

He wrote most of the riffs when he was in his late teens, very early 20’s... absolute genius

[mvsr]

Every interview I see or hear with Marr, he comes off as just the nicest possible guy to be as famous and important as he is.

[marvinshenk]

The Smiths are one of my favorite bands ever. I play guitar and Johnny Marr's parts are so unique that I never even try to learn them. They are made up of so many chords and rhythms that they are just hard to play but so enjoyable to listen to.

[gilguajardo]

Such an amazing guitarist. These songs. These riffs. I *WILL* learn how to play Headmaster Ritual one of these days! ❤️ PS, do yourselves a favor and catch Johnny’s current tour. He’s a true frontman now. Killer show.

[basti_marr]

"it's not about being famous, never was" Ladies and gentlemen, Johnny Marr

[TheAcousticBandits]

Johnny is one of the most important and iconic guitarists in the history of music.

[MarkOwen-ejgy]

I am a year older than Johnny Marr in age, And when you think about all those famous people that lived over the hundreds of years of history, I feel very Fortunato that our time on this earth has been the same. A real living legend

[dbob]

Great guitarist and amazing songwriter plus his Johnny Marr Jaguar is one of the best signature guitars out there—his changes to the original design are well thought out and make the instrument much better

[stevencastro]

Johnny Marr is absolutely mesmerizing in so many ways. He is the reason why I picked up the guitar and learned to play it.

[xyzxyz]

I could listen to him all day. So humble and honest. An out and out living legend

[instantramengd]

I've watched this video so many times, Johnny Marr is my hero I look up to him so much, and he's so cool. He always keeps up with the modern times with his music. I remember seeing him the first time at a Killers concert, at first, I thought "Who the hell is this guy? let's start the show already" but the moment he strummed the chords to "Getting Away with it" I fell in love, Then soon after he filled the venue with "How soon is now" my ears have never been the same, since then I got into T-rex, bowie, oasis, Led Zepplin, The Church, The police, Springsteen, Benard Summer's work. TFF, Keith Richards, the Pretenders and so many more just can't thank him enough

[ngronlund]

I went thru college listening to his playing. His playing inspired me to learn guitar. Hearing all those great riffs strung together literally gives me chills and goosebumps. Genius.

[lefthandluke]

Johny Marr... mastered turning rhythm into lead and lead into rhythm. A true pioneer, humble all the way and so passionate about guitar. Dude is my hero. A rare talent and a total class act.