Johnny Marr on his autobiography Set The Boy Free and his career

Virgin Radio

3 Nov 2016, 16:54

Music legend Johnny Marr popped by the studios for a chat with Edith Bowman. 

The singer-songwriter saw his career skyrocket as a member of alternative rock band The Smiths, whose four studio albums gathered them a cult following in the 1980s.

He then formed a successful solo career as a singer and record producer after The Smiths disbanded, and has received numerous awards, including NME's 'Godlike Genius' award. 

He's now written an autobiography detailing his experiences and career called Marr revealed to Edith more about the process through which the book came together, and his concerns as he was writing it.

"It was a task, it took me about nine months, It's a lot about places, people and stories," he said. "There was two years' worth of work crammed into that period, it was pretty intensive. 

"One of my concerns was falling into the trap of being self-indulgent. You have to kind of learn to self-edit in a way...you don't want to waffle on too much.

"I'm glad I've done it now, I see it in the same way I've done an album. I don't see it as a side-thing or promo thing."

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