Johnny Marr - NME Awards Johnny Marr 'Godlike Genius' Title, 2013

NME Awards Johnny Marr 'Godlike Genius' Title, 2013

Johnny Marr will be crowned Godlike Genius of the Year at this year’s NME Awards. Marr, whose distinctive guitar licks were combined with Morrissey’s song-writing skills to make The Smiths the legendary band that they are, has also played in Modest Mouse and – more recently, joined the three Wakefield brothers The Cribs.

The NME Awards will be held at The Troxy in East London, on Wednesday February 27, 2013, where Marr will collect his gong. Marr’s about to release his debut solo album The Messenger and speaking about the award, said “It is a very nice thing to be getting this award and I am honoured. The NME seems to be good at giving this award to people I like so I’m in good company. I guess it means that some things are alright with the world.” His previous band mate Morrissey won’t be expecting any such honour any time soon; he has fallen out with the magazine on a number of occasions, most recently when they printed an article that he felt had branded him a racist.

The magazine’s editor, Mike Williams, said “All hail Johnny Marr, NME Godlike Genius 2013 and the newest recruit into NME’s holy order of music legends. And what a legend he is! Not content with rewriting the history of music with one of the world’s greatest ever bands, The Smiths, he’s continued to push boundaries and evolve throughout his career, working with some of the best and most exciting artists on the planet.” Johnny follows in the footsteps of 2012’s Godlike Genius, Noel Gallagher, which just goes to show, there’s no justice in the world. Or no huge commitment to chronology, perhaps. 

Johnny Marr will be crowned this year's Godlike Genius by NME