Manc music legend honoured for Record Store Day

Manchester music icon Johnny Marr has been honoured with a plaque at Piccadilly Records, celebrating his immense contribution to music and his support for independent record shops.

This special recognition comes as part of Record Store Day 2025, where Marr has been named the second-ever recipient of the Record Store Legend award.

The accolade, jointly presented by Record Store Day UK and US, acknowledges Marr’s tireless work championing independent record stores.

Following in the footsteps of Elton John, who received the first Record Store Legend title in 2017, Marr continues to inspire musicians and fans alike by advocating for the cultural importance of record shops in Manchester and beyond.

Record Store Day 2025

For Marr, the recognition is deeply personal. Speaking at the plaque unveiling, he reflected on his long-standing love for record stores: “Going out to a record store, it’s a nice pastime.

“It’s a part of the culture. If they were to completely disappear, the high street or the city centre would be a much worse off place. There’s something about the presence of a record store. It’s a magical thing.”

Johnny Marr began his prolific career with The Smiths, founding a legacy as one of the most influential songwriters and guitarists in British independent music. Since launching in 2013, his acclaimed solo career has given rise to five UK Top Ten albums – The Messenger (2013), Playland (2014), Call The Comet (2018), Fever Dreams Pts 1-4 (2022) and Spirit Power: The Best Of Johnny Marr (2023) – a record that captured the full measure of this extraordinarily prolific period.

Johnny’s solo career has also seen him collaborate with some of the most celebrated artists in contemporary music, including the Talking Heads, Pretenders, Electronic, Modest Mouse, The Cribs, The Avalanches, Hans Zimmer and Billie Eilish, recently recording the score and soundtrack for the latest James Bond film, No Time To Die.

The legendary Johnny Marr

His legendary guitar work has left an indelible mark on generations of musicians, and his commitment to supporting grassroots music remains stronger than ever.

Andy McQueen of Piccadilly Records expressed the store’s pride in being the location for Marr’s plaque: “Johnny Marr is our favourite living artist, and his music has soundtracked our lives for over forty years. To be associated with him in this beautiful way: well, the pleasure, the privilege is ours.”

The unveiling of the plaque at Piccadilly Records invites music fans to celebrate record stores’ role in nurturing talent and community spirit. The installation coincides with the 18th annual Record Store Day on April 12th, 2025, an event that brings thousands of indie shops together with in-store performances, exclusive releases, and parties worldwide.

To mark the occasion, Marr is releasing an exclusive live album, Look Out Live!, a double orange vinyl capturing the magic of his 2024 sold-out show at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. The album will feature solo favourites alongside The Smiths’ classics like This Charming Man and How Soon Is Now?, available only at independent record shops on Record Store Day.

Manchester has always been a city that champions its own, and Johnny Marr’s plaque at Piccadilly Records is a fitting tribute to a true musical legend. For generations of fans, musicians, and crate-diggers, Marr’s influence continues to echo through the streets of his hometown and beyond.

Record Store Day 2025 – get involved

Whether you’re a lifelong Marr fan or a newcomer to his music, Record Store Day 2025 is the perfect time to visit your local independent record shop, support grassroots music, and celebrate one of Manchester’s greatest musical icons.

Keep the spirit alive: just like Johnny Marr has always done.

You can ind out more about Record Store Day 2025 by clicking here