Absolutely Marr-vellous! Listen to schoolboy busker, 12, whose amazing playing wowed Smiths guitarist so much he gave him £1,000 cash grant
A schoolboy busker has caught the eye of his ‘hero’ and ‘The Smiths’ legend, Johnny Marr, after the charming young man covered one of the band’s songs.
John Denton’s online performances as home of his finger-picking skills went viral on social media which led to him being chosen for a £1,000 grant that was created Marr’s name.
The news came after the 12-year-old queued up for three hours in the freezing cold at the back of Piccadilly records in Manchester for an event signing hosted by Marrs.
The lead Smiths guitarist instantly knew the boy from Salford was a guitarist and gave him some pirceless advice on getting a new bass guitarist for his new band.
John told the Mail Online: ‘It was amazing. I really enjoyed meeting him and me and my mum would never do this for anyone else.
Schoolboy John Denton, 12, went to meet Johnny Marr at a signing event at Manchester’s Piccadilly Records store, where John eagerly asked his hero for advice about forming a band
‘We lined up for three hours and it was freezing at the back of piccadilly records and it was great really.
‘When it was our turn to see him he just went, you play guitar?
‘And I was like yeah! how do you know that?!
‘He was brilliant, a really nice guy and he gave me some advice for getting a bassist for my band which a few months later I did so it was great.’
He has since created his own group called ‘The Height’ – named after an area in Salford near where he lives – with their first single released just before Christmas.
The uprising star has his second single ‘Go’ coming out tomorrow.
John’s dad Phil Denton said his boy would be using the money to fund music lessons and help with future performances.
John said: ‘He is my absolute hero and Smiths are my favourite band and I instantly applied. Honestly I think I was probably the first person to apply, it was about eight minutes after it went up.
‘I kinda messed up the first application but I contacted the foundation and in an email they just let me do it again so that was nice of them.
John’s dad Phil Denton said his boy would be using the money to fund music lessons and help with future performances
‘I did it again with my dad and luckily I managed to get through.
‘They took me for a meeting to ask me what I was going to do with it and to tell me I got it.
‘So it was brilliant.’
Paul said: ‘John’s ambition is to have a career in music. He will be using the funding to have music lessons to help both his guitar playing and his singing.
‘In these tough times, it’s a massive help and means that he can progress in his passion.
‘Music is not a hobby for John but just who he is and a creative outlet he hopes to enjoy for the rest of his life.
He is incredibly grateful to Johnny and the Salford Foundation Trust who have provided this opportunity.
‘It is a real privilege to get this award and he is determined to make the very most of the opportunity he has been given.’
Legendary guitarist for The Smiths, Johnny Marr, awarded young John Denton with a £1000 grant after meeting him at a signing event in Manchester
Legend Johnny Marr added: ‘It’s a pleasure and privilege to give some assistance to a young musician especially when they’re as dedicated as John. Well done, brother.’
John was selected for the ‘Johnny Marr Award’ by a panel from the Salford Foundation Trust, a local charity which supports talented young people in the city.
The prize will run for three years, selecting another young musician from Salford for financial assistance annually.
Peter Collins CBE, from The Salford Foundation Trust, said: ‘There couldn’t be a more worthy recipient of the Johnny Marr Award.
‘Even though John is only 12 he’s already proven he’s committed to making a future in music and we’re delighted the Trust can give him a helping hand on this journey.’
