Set the Boy Free

The Autobiography

By: Johnny Marr

Narrated by: Johnny Marr

Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

The long-awaited memoir from the legendary guitarist and cofounder of the seminal British band The Smiths.

An artist who helped define a period in popular culture, Johnny Marr tells his story in a memoir as vivid and arresting as his music. The Smiths, the band with the signature sound he cofounded, remains one of the most beloved bands ever and have had a profound influence on a number of acts that followed - from the Stone Roses, Suede, Blur, and Radiohead to Oasis, The Libertines, and Arctic Monkeys.

Marr recalls his childhood growing up in the northern working-class city of Manchester, in a house filled with music. He takes us back to the summer of 1982, when, at 18, he sought out one Stephen Morrissey to form a new band they called The Smiths. Marr invites fans onstage, on the road, and in the studio for the five years The Smiths were together and shares how, after a rapid ascent, the working-class teenage rock star enjoyed and battled with the perks of success until ideological differences, combined with his much publicized strained relationships with his bandmates, caused him to leave in 1987. Marr's "escape", as he calls it, ensured the beginning of the end for one of the most influential groups of a generation.

But The Smiths' end was only the beginning for Marr. The bona fide guitar hero continues to experiment and evolve in his solo career to this day, playing with Paul McCartney, Pretenders, Modest Mouse, and Oasis and collaborating with today's most creative and renowned artists.

Rising above and beyond the personal struggles and bitter feuds, Marr delivers the story of his music and his band, sharing the real insights of a man who has made music his life and finally giving fans what they've truly been waiting for.

©2016 Johnny Marr (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Really good

Great story...and it’s good to hear Johnny tell it himself. Kind of like going along for the ride, and it’s been a cool ride with a lot of gifted music people.

Amazing

Oh I loved this book so much! One of my most favorite autobiographies ever! I have been a major Marr fan since The Smiths and hearing his voice narrate his incredible story was just brilliant. As a musician myself it was so awesome to hear about his specific influences and his descriptions of them in detail and of his own music and artistic process and way of being as well. This book resparked my inspiration in so many ways. Thank you Johnny.

I did it…. For Johnny!!

I wanted another perspective on Johnny Marr, The Smiths and all he had been up to since! Message Received!! Such a great read errrr listen ;) It brought some needed closure and appreciation for all he’s done as a musician in the industry, but always more to advance the value of music itself. When you can play better than Marr, you can dismiss the book, but if you are obsessed by guitars? A MUST READ!!

This is my new favorite rock autobiography

Honestly, this book is about a truly solid and honest human being who ended up taking the entire world's ears in his hands. it's a Great book with sharp insights made all the better by its narration by Johnny Marr. After hearing this, u you'll want to delve into his catalog much deeper. you won't regret this book.

Exactly what I was hoping for

Johnny Marr is my favorite guitarist of all time. To hear him read his story and tell it the way he has was an immense pleasure. The stories behind so many of his great songs and collaborations are told here. I'm so glad he narrated it himself as no one else could've done it justice. This book has made me an even bigger fan. Thanks, Johnny!

Thank You Johnny Marr

Thank You Johnny for your music and creativity. i enjoyed you in high school in the 80s with your music and I enjoyed you today with your book. Thank you for telling your stories...i enjoyed fhem completely.

a great read for music lovers.

many questions answered. so many of my favorite groups were spoken about. real and insightful.

Exactly what I wanted from this author

Set The Boy Free is refreshingly free of the self-pity and navel-gazing of Morrissey's Autobiography. It's a fairly straightforward narrative, covering Johnny's early life, as well as the familiar beats of his career as a musical artist. He addresses topics of great interest to me including favorite guitars, his thoughts on select songs in his discography, and his memories of his favorite collaborations. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Johnny Marr's work, and how he made it.

If you're a fan, a good read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you're a fan of Johnny Marr, guitar playing in general, or how an artist integrates influences, this is a worthy read that gives a good solid glimpse of Johnny Marr's world view. Lots of celebrity stories, but you can hear how the man tries hard to overcome hero and celebrity worship. Also, just how much his relentless pursuit of avoiding complacency, personally, artistically, and as a person. I've always suspected JM is a difficult man to work with. He may be. But his passion for music, for the guitar, pushing his own boundaries and taking risks, and his wide open ears across a huge range of pop sub-genres...well, he's had a very cool life so far. Oh, and see his solo band live if you can, too.

What did you like best about this story?

While it doesn't really convey, one feels, all the nuances of events like his separation from The Smiths, it definitely does give you a feel for how these events impacted him, personally and artistically. An enjoyable read with a dark and compelling wit that belies the seriousness of his pursuits and lightens up that impression you might have that his music is mired in misery.

Legendary!

Sure everyone knows Johnny Marr as the guitarist of The Smiths but this man has been involved in so many musical projects with so many legends over multiple decades and changes in the music industry. Even though it is what catapulted him into the canon of guitar heroes The Smiths era is merely a blip on the radar in the totality of Johnny's journey. An inspiring, fascinating, sometimes quite comical listen told by the man himself!