Although I spend far too much time online when it comes to news I, unlike a lot of people still prefer to hold a newspaper in my hand and read the news with my morning cuppa. Not that I am loyal to one title or even buy a paper every single day but if I'm in a shop and a headline catches my eye I'll buy the paper regardless of whether it's a nasty tabloid or a highbrow broadsheet. When it comes to Sunday papers I quite often find myself buying a few papers which keep me in reading through to the next weekend. One such paper is the Observer. Not that I buy it every week but twice a month the paper comes with a magazine that is dedicated to my passions. Music is catered for on one of these weeks and on another week, which just happened to be last Sunday it was the turn of the 'Food Monthly' supplement. Also included every week is another magazine entitled not too imaginitively, The Observer Magazine. Last Sunday's regular 'My Body & Soul' article featured ex Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. I would imagine if you stopped 100 people randomly in the street and asked what is the first thing that comes to mind when they think of The Smiths, the majority would say Morrissey which is a shame because for me Johnny Marr was every bit as equal in the band's music. Anyway here's the article as it appeared last Sunday.
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My body & soul
Johnny Marr, musician, 45
Johnny Marr, musician, 45
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What's your general attitude to health?
I'm pretty healthy. People think that I live a rock'n'roll lifestyle, but I've either missed doing all that stuff or I've done it and can't remember.
I'm pretty healthy. People think that I live a rock'n'roll lifestyle, but I've either missed doing all that stuff or I've done it and can't remember.
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Have you ever spent a night in hospital?
No, not a full one. I crashed a BMW into a wall when I was in the Smiths, even though I couldn't actually drive at the time. I did my back and neck in pretty badly but checked out after a few hours. I wore a neck brace - Morrissey was very envious.
Have you ever spent a night in hospital?
No, not a full one. I crashed a BMW into a wall when I was in the Smiths, even though I couldn't actually drive at the time. I did my back and neck in pretty badly but checked out after a few hours. I wore a neck brace - Morrissey was very envious.
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What exercise do you take?
I got into running in the early 90s. Now, wherever I am in the world, I just put on my hoodie and run for 20 miles.
What exercise do you take?
I got into running in the early 90s. Now, wherever I am in the world, I just put on my hoodie and run for 20 miles.
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How do you relax?
By staying up too late watching nonsense on YouTube.
How do you relax?
By staying up too late watching nonsense on YouTube.
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How much do you drink?
I've had no interest in alcohol for the past 10 years. We had quite a dark time with the Smiths when there was a lot of drink. But we were recording The Queen Is Dead, and it turned out great, so I can't be too evangelical.
How much do you drink?
I've had no interest in alcohol for the past 10 years. We had quite a dark time with the Smiths when there was a lot of drink. But we were recording The Queen Is Dead, and it turned out great, so I can't be too evangelical.
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What's your attitude to smoking?
I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day. It took me about three attempts to stop - and it was tortuous, to say the least.
What's your attitude to smoking?
I used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day. It took me about three attempts to stop - and it was tortuous, to say the least.
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And drugs?
I don't have any problem at all with psychedelics - they seem to unlock creativity. I really don't like being around people who are on cocaine, though. They just seem stupid.
And drugs?
I don't have any problem at all with psychedelics - they seem to unlock creativity. I really don't like being around people who are on cocaine, though. They just seem stupid.
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Do you worry about your weight?
Not at all. I became a vegan in 1985 when the Smiths were making the album Meat is Murder and I figured that it wasn't very cool eating meat.
Do you worry about your weight?
Not at all. I became a vegan in 1985 when the Smiths were making the album Meat is Murder and I figured that it wasn't very cool eating meat.
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Is sex important to you?
Yes. Life would be easier for some people if it wasn't such a big deal. My wife and I have been together since we were kids, since 1979. We both feel pretty lucky. I'm not an idiot; I know when I'm on to a good thing.
Is sex important to you?
Yes. Life would be easier for some people if it wasn't such a big deal. My wife and I have been together since we were kids, since 1979. We both feel pretty lucky. I'm not an idiot; I know when I'm on to a good thing.
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Are you happy?
I work on it. As a teenager I had a lot of things on a checklist that I feel blessed that I've achieved, such as: get to play with your heroes, be in a really important band, stay up for days ... But what's next? Either sit around listening to your old records, which doesn't interest me, or carry on travelling without a map. I have a compulsion to move forward. It's the only way to live.
Are you happy?
I work on it. As a teenager I had a lot of things on a checklist that I feel blessed that I've achieved, such as: get to play with your heroes, be in a really important band, stay up for days ... But what's next? Either sit around listening to your old records, which doesn't interest me, or carry on travelling without a map. I have a compulsion to move forward. It's the only way to live.
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15 Cymande - Bra
17 The Fatback Band - King Tim III
8 Ball Quick Fire Pool
