Johnny Marr is Bringing ‘Playland’ to El Rey Theatre

The El Rey will play host to famous English musician Johnny Marr for two nights this Dec. 19 and 20. Opening for Marr will be Meredith Sheldon of the Ben Taylor Band and Family of the Year fame.

Formerly known as The Smiths’ guitarist, and co-songwriter with Morrissey, Johnny Marr has come a long way since the early ‘80s. Cited to be “the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s,” he has also been dubbed “the most influential artist ever” by NME in a 2002 poll.

Born on Halloween in 1963, John Martin Maher was raised by Irish emigrants in Ardwick, Manchester. Initially growing with aspirations to be a professional footballer, he soon fell in love with the guitar as he formed his first band at the age of 13, called the Paris Valentinos. Later he would be involved in a band called White Dice, which would go on to enter a demo-tape competition and win an audition for F-Beat Records.

Despite not being signed, Marr went on to form a funk band, this time entitled Freak Party that would fizzle out in 1982 because of the members being unable to find a lead singer. A suggestion to work with Steven Morrissey, who at the time was a short-lived singer for punk band the Nosebleeds, led Marr to The Smiths.

In Aug. 1987, Marr parted ways with The Smiths, briefly becoming a member of the Pretenders, only to leave and record with The Smiths from 1988 to 1994. Johnny Marr and the Healers would be his next project, one that he would be a part of with drummer Zak Starkey, guitarist Lee Spencer, and bassist Alonza Bevan. The band released two albums before going on an indefinite hiatus.

In addition to working on many projects, his musical endeavors have also led him to work with Oasis, Pet Shop Boys, Talking Heads, Beck, Radiohead, Pearl Jam and Modest Mouse. He has also recorded music for the latest “Spider-Man” film alongside Hans Zimmer, Pharrell Williams, Michael Einziger and David A. Stewart.

Marr’s second solo album, “Playland,” was released Oct. The two El Rey performances are with Meredith Sheldon on Dec. 19 and 20.

Johnny Marr will be performing for two nights at the El Rey on Dec. 19 and 20. Tickets are available here.