This Charming Man
The renowned guitar icon, Johnny Marr, made a comeback to the location of his most memorable gig with the Smiths and delivered his first public lecture as an appointed visiting music professor at the University of Salford. More than a thousand students and other attendees were present to listen to the accomplished musician speak about the role of "outsiders" in the music industry.
This appearance marked Marr’s return to the university’s Maxwell hall, where he last performed with the Smiths in 1986. He expressed that the gig was "astonishing," with the speakers having to be secured because the floor was vibrating so enthusiastically.
On the same day that Barack Obama won the presidential election in the United States, Marr talked about how significant outsiders are in this age of suffocating conservatism. He commended musicians such as Bob Marley, Sex Pistols, and Kurt Cobain for constructing their own "arks" and advancing ahead of the music industry.
Furthermore, he asserted that the music industry had never introduced anything innovative throughout its history and insisted that "the moment money is infused into it, it becomes corrupted."
To support music students, Marr’s academic duties at Salford University would include conducting several workshops and masterclasses. According to him, it is thrilling to think that someone he has mentored might soon start their own record label or become a music producer.
John Sweeney, from the university’s school of media, music, and performance, stated that Marr was the most prominent and influential guitarist in recent decades. To have him back for this lecture was an honor, and the event was very special.
