Set the Boy Free

The Autobiography

De: Johnny Marr

Narrado por: Johnny Marr

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!!

Johnny’s passion and drive to create music and staying true to himself, his love of music, fashion and the Manchester scene.

It was great to hear insight to a music era I grew up in from an insider.

Great listen, excellent in all ways.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It brought me back to a time in my life that was very good and very long ago. Highly recommend this audio book, especially the audio version there’s nothing like it when an author reads their own material. There’s just something a little extra in there.

Engaging and Inspiring

I highly recommended for those aspiring to create art without falling into the traps that await. it is a story of passion and devotion.

Johnny Marr's autobiography

this is a fascinating story about the lead guitarist of the British rock band, The Smiths. if you like alternative music and music of the Post punk era you can read about one of the big names of that era with this book. I liked it I liked it a lot

If you weren’t a fan before, you will be now

A really in depth dive of the professional life and work of Johnny F’n Marr, with a nice touch of personal stories to get to know the man. This book took me from a casual admirer, to a full on fan.

Johnny has such a great voice for narration.

Being so easy to listen to I flew through this book. Having your Guitar Hero read you his autobiography was a real joy. Despite coming from across the world in a slightly different era I still felt his story very relatible and inspiring.

The best autobiography I've ever read!

Growing up, the Smiths were one of my favorite bands. Since Morrissey was such an enigmatic frontman and lyricist, regrettably most of my attention went towards him. I always knew Johnny Marr was a true talent, but I had no idea to what extent.

Listening to this audiobook, which I truly appreciated was read by Johnny himself, made me feel like I really got to know this man. And what a warm, humble, down to earth gem he is! It was interesting to hear about his family and childhood, founding and rising to fame with the Smiths, his love for Angie and his children, all the various artists he's worked with, but most of all his love for the guitar and creating music. This book was a love letter to music. I am going to revisit Electronic, Modest Mouse, and off course the Smiths because of this book.

Johnny Marr rarely had a sour word to say about anybody, although there were plenty of characters from his past he could have been bitter about. He spoke of giving up meat, eventually becoming a vegan, quitting drugs and booze, and becoming healthier through these lifestyle choices, along with running. But he never came across as preachy, just more so that those choices worked for him.

If you're on the fence about listening to this audiobook, don't be! It really was a great read.