Some days it seems as if the universe is conspiring to provide me with exactly what I need, in the right amounts, and at the right time. Johnny Marr, the former guitarist of The Smiths, playing just down the street from me at The Fillmore — was concrete proof of this conspiracy.
He started off with the first track from his new solo album “The Messenger,” demonstrating his guitar genius by playing just the one sustained note that opens “The Right Thing Right.” The title of the song is also its best description.
There’s no need for Johnny Marr to prove himself with flashy guitar licks, and theatrical moves, as his mid-gig special guest, Billy Duffy from The Cult, did.
Johnny Marr’s singing was very good, and so was the performance of the young backup band touring with him. And he’s a very modest man, far from a rock and roll stereotype, but totally absorbed in the roots of the music.
And he finished the set with what must be the best guitar intro ever: The Smith’s “How Soon Is Now?”
The venue was hot and everyone was dripping, and it must have been much worse on stage. Before he came on for the encore he changed into a dry, loose fitting white T-shirt with three large words, one on each line: “Johnny Fucking Marr.” Indeed.
Even he’s not as good as he is….brilliant. Thank you universe for a superb night.
Tom Foremski is the Editor and Founder of the popular and top-ranked news site Silicon Valley Watcher, reporting on business and culture of innovation. He is a former journalist at the Financial Times and in 2004, became the first journalist from a leading newspaper to resign and become a full-time journalist blogger.
Tom has been reporting on Silicon Valley and the US tech industry since 1984 and has been named as one of the top 50 (#28) most influential bloggers in Silicon Valley. His current focus is on the convergence of media and technology — the making of a new era for Silicon Valley. He also writes a column at ZDNET.
