Johnny Marr Opened The Vault

'I Want the One I Can't Have'

Johnny Marr opened the vault.

Around 85 guitars, alongside amplifiers, posters and other memorabilia spanning more than 40 years of his career, fetched almost £4 million at Christie's yesterday.

This wasn't some random liquidation. Marr had been sitting on this stuff since he wrote 'Marr's Guitars' back in 2023, going through every instrument, every story, every song that came out of them. He said putting them back in storage after the book felt wrong. He wanted them out in the world, in someone's hands, still making noise. Ten of the lots had their entire hammer price donated straight to The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The National Autistic Society, causes close to him.

I took this one myself, at Albert Hall in Manchester, 8 October 2015.

I took this one myself, at Albert Hall in Manchester, 8 October 2015.

Among the most significant lots was Marr's legendary 1982 Rickenbacker 330. Bought with his first publishing advance, it was used to write 'This Charming Man' and can be heard throughout The Smiths' career, from 'What Difference Does It Make?' and their debut album to The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come. It also appeared in Electronic's video for 'Vivid.'

Another shot of my own, same night at Albert Hall, 8 October 2015.

Marr later loaned it to Oasis during the original Definitely Maybe sessions and it appeared lying on the floor on the cover of their debut single, 'Supersonic.' One guitar, two bands that changed Manchester, decades apart.

Some of my Smiths records where the Rickenbacker is used, and Oasis's 'Supersonic' sleeve.

Estimated at £60,000 to £80,000, it sold for £358,400, including Christie's buyer's premium.

Full auction results at Christie's.

Johnny fookin' Marr.