Last year, Johnny Marr turned down a “lucrative offer” to reunite with Morrissey and tour the world as The Smiths in 2025. During a recent appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, Marr expounded on the decision, explaining, “It was a little bit about principles, but I’m not an idiot, I just think the vibe’s not right.”
“It was an eye-watering amount of money, but also, I really like what I’m doing now which makes it a lot easier,” Marr added. “I like where I’m at. I still want to write the best song I’ve ever written. I want to be a better performer.”
For his part, Morrissey did accept the offer, explaining in an interview last year: “I agreed because it felt like the last time such a thing would be possible. We’ve all begun to grow old. I thought the tour that was offered would be a good way of saying thank you for those who have listened for what suddenly feels like a lifetime. It wasn’t because I had any emotional attachment to Marr. I have absolutely none.” As for the current status of his relationship with Marr, it’s clear there’s no love lost. “He seems to me to be just as insecure and fearful as he was during the 1980s,” Morrissey said of his former bandmate turned bitter rival.