The Smiths former frontman Morrissey claims his bandmate Johnny Marr has turned down a reunion tour.
The Manchester band split in 1987 after securing hits with songs including Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now, This Charming Man and How Soon Is Now?
They are lauded by among others Noel Gallagher but it appears that – unlike Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher – a reunion is definitely off the cards.
Morrissey, 65, wrote on his website: “In June 2024, AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as ‘The Smiths’ throughout 2025.
“Morrissey said ‘Yes’ to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.”
It was – perhaps – not surprising though.
In 2016, Marr, 60, told Sky News that Morrissey’s apparently pro-Nigel Farage views would also be “a slight drawback” to any possible reunion.
In that interview, he said: “The breakup of any band, as any musician who’s gone through it will tell you, is horrific and heartbreaking, and it absolutely was inevitable.
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Johnny Marr told Sky in 2016 he thought that reuniting The Smiths was “unnecessary”.
“Five years and a hell of a lot of good songs and good gigs, I think is fine.
And – on the question of a reunion – he said: “The question of The Smiths reformation, I understand why people ask me.
“Doing what I’m doing now, it doesn’t feel necessary at all – I really like moving forward.”
Earlier this week, Marr posted an image of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, when asked if The Smiths will reunite.
In 2022, Morrissey wrote an open letter to Marr asking his former bandmate to stop talking about him in interviews.
He said: “You know nothing of my life, my intentions, my thoughts, my feelings. Yet you talk as if you were my personal psychiatrist with consistent and uninterrupted access to my instincts.”
He also urged him to “move on”, before adding: “There comes a time when you must take responsibility for your own actions and your own career, with which I wish you good health to enjoy. Just stop using my name as click-bait.”
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Following their split, Morrissey, full name Steven Patrick Morrissey, went solo and produced several hit albums, including Viva Hate, Vauxhall And I and You Are The Quarry.
Earlier this year, he said he sought “medical supervision for physical exhaustion” amid him cancelling shows in the US, but has since returned to touring.
Marr went on after The Smiths to collaborate with a wide variety of other artists and acts, including Electronic, The Cribs, The The, The Pretenders, Crowded House, Hans Zimmer and also Noel Gallagher.
AEG Entertainment Group and Marr have been contacted for a response.