Class and talent go hand in glove with Johnny Marr. His shimmering guitar playing and songwriting graced The Smiths and his solo work. More recently, he worked on the score for the James Bond film No Time to Die.
But now he is using his fame to give one Salford muscian the chance to follow their dreams. The Manchester guitar legend is offering financial support to one young person from Salford who can show they have the potential to make a career in music.
The Johnny Marr Award is opening up to applications this month with the aim of finding a first worthy recipient of the funding, which will go towards musical instruments, recording equipment – or indeed anything that will help the successful young person to progress.
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Johnny was only a teenager himself when he formed The Smiths with singer Morrissey back in 1982, with the group becoming one of the most influential in British pop history.
The band famously posed in front of Salford Lads Club for an iconic album sleeve photo taken by Stephen Wright for the 1986 album The Queen Is Dead. The club then became a mecca for devoted fans of the singer and the band.
The ties between the band and the building was further highlighted in 2007, when Morrissey donated £20,000 to the club after thieves climbed scaffolding to steal guttering and lead from the roof. Volunteers had launched a £1 million campaign to restore and upgrade the grade II listed red-brick Edwardian building but, after the setback, Davyhulme-born Morrissey decided to help them out.
Project manager Leslie Holmes said at the time: “It is an unexpected and wonderful gesture, particularly coming from a Manchester lad – it does a great deal for relations between the two cities.”
And, after the building's future was secured earlier this year thanks to a near £50,000 cash boost, former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce said: "It's wonderful news to hear Salford Lads Club has been recognised by the Historic England and Heritage Fund in continuing its original purpose and passing on the working class traditions of the club."
Now Johnny is teaming up with a local charity in Salford to launch the new funding award. The Salford Foundation Trust will help identify the winners of the award, which is launching initially for three years.
Johnny, who was born in Ardwick, said: “It’s a privilege to make a contribution to the creative development of young people. The Salford Foundation Trust is a great example of positive local action that makes a difference. It’s an honour to be involved.”
The self-taught guitarist was honoured by Salford University in 2012. Already a visiting professor at the university, he donned a ceremonial robe to receive his honorary degree for his services to popular music.
Peter Collins CBE, Managing Trustee from The Salford Foundation Trust, said: “I am very grateful for the support from Johnny Marr – we can’t let financial difficulties stand in the way of talent and this fund gives a young person in Salford for each of the next three years a chance to progress their talent”.
Applicants must be 25 or under and applications are open from Tuesday 18th October until Tuesday 15th November. Please visit the Salford Foundation Trust website at www.salfordfoundationtrust.org.uk and click on How to Apply and then click on the Johnny Marr Award for more details and the application form.
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