Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

Johnny Marr (Part One)

Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

Show Notes

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with one of the most influential guitarists and songwriters of his generation, Johnny Marr.

Johnny grew up in Manchester in a house filled with music, before going on to co-found The Smiths and create a sound that would influence generations of musicians. He tells Emily about those early years, the formation of the band and the extraordinary musical legacy they left behind, as well as the lasting impact that period had on his own life and career.

After The Smiths, Johnny built a career every bit as eclectic as you’d expect, working with artists including The Pretenders, The The, Modest Mouse and Gorillaz, before establishing himself as an acclaimed solo artist.

His new album, The Age of Everything, is out now, and a new anniversary edition of his autobiography, Set the Boy Free, will be released on 22 October.

And, crucially, Johnny is a serious dog person. He arrived for the walk armed with treats for Ray and plenty of stories about his two Rhodesian Ridgebacks, leaving Emily wondering whether she and Ray might be able to move in with Johnny, his wife Angie and the dogs. There is just one condition: absolutely no guitar playing while Emily is watching reality TV.

Follow Emily: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyrebeccadean X: https://twitter.com/divine_miss_em

Walking The Dog is produced by Will Nichols Music: Rich Jarman Artwork: Alice Ludlam Photography: Karla Gowlett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More from Walking The Dog with Emily Dean

Oct 21, 2026

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with Dr Amir Khan, Amir opens up about the pressures and pleasures of life as an NHS GP, and why, despite his increasingly busy television and writing career, he has absolutely no intention of giving up his Bradford practice.

Oct 20, 2026

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll with NHS GP, bestselling author and resident doctor on Lorraine, Dr Amir Khan. Impeccably dressed and immediately besotted with Raymond, Amir proves to be excellent company, although his affection for Ray might have something to do with his own beloved cat, who is apparently every bit as much of a diva.

Oct 15, 2026

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with William Hanson, William reveals more about his unlikely journey from a boy fascinated by good manners to one of Britain's most recognisable etiquette experts.

Oct 13, 2026

This week Emily and Ray take a stroll through Hyde Park with etiquette expert, bestselling author and podcast host William Hanson.

Oct 8, 2026

In part two of Emily and Ray’s walk with Johnny Marr, there’s more from an extraordinary life in music, from the Manchester childhood that shaped him to the career that followed and the experiences that have stayed with him along the way.

See all episodes →