Hot for Teacher

Although my true obsession—as everyone is by now so sufficiently well aware, that I am being roundly mocked for it, much to my eternal amusement—is Mozza, the other half of the fraught alliance around which The Smiths were built, Johnny Marr, has a special place in my heart, too. So I was delighted when Shakers Vicster and Radical Centrist forwarded me this article about the maestro of Obsession Minor:

Johnny Marr, the co-founder and guitarist of 1980s icons The Smiths, is turning to academia as a visiting professor of music.

Marr, whose distinctive guitar style propelled hits by The Smiths including "How Soon Is Now," "Panic" and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now," has been appointed to teach undergraduates at Salford University. The university in Manchester, northwest England, said Thursday that Marr would deliver a series of workshops and master classes to students in its popular music and recording course.

"Salford University is offering some fantastic opportunities to students in music," said Marr, 43. "It is an honor to be appointed as a professor and I'm excited at the prospect of being able to make a contribution."

How much would I give to be able to sit in on just one of his classes? If it's anything like this, they'll be great. I've never had the chance to meet Marr, although I'd love to have a wee chat with him one day.

For those really into Smithean trivia, the band has an interesting connection to Salford (which I'm slightly embarrassed and slightly pleased to admit I knew without the help of the AP): The sleeve of The Queen is Dead was shot in front of the Salford Lads' Club.



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I know, I know—shut up!