NME to award The Smiths Johnny Marr its annual Godlike Genius award

Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr is to receive a top honorary prize at this year's NME Awards - the annual Godlike Genius title.

The musician, who is about to launch his first solo album after recording with acts such as Modest Mouse and The Cribs in recent years, will collect the title later this month.

He follows acts such as The Clash, Paul Weller and last year's recipient Noel Gallagher in being chosen for the award.

After leaving The Smiths in 1987, Marr worked with acts such as The Pretenders and The The as well as leading his band Johnny Marr + The Healers and guesting on recordings by John Frusciante, Talking Heads and Beck, as well as Hans Zimmer's soundtrack for the film Inception.

He will pick up the prize on February 27 at the music magazine's annual award ceremony being staged at east London venue The Troxy.

Marr said: "It is a very nice thing to be getting this award and I am honoured. The NME seems to be good at giving this award to people I like so I'm in good company. I guess it means that some things are alright with the world."

NME editor Mike Williams said: "Never has anyone been so utterly deserving of the title.

"Not content with rewriting the history of music with one of the world's greatest ever bands, The Smiths, he's continued to push boundaries and evolve throughout his career, working with some of the best and most exciting artists on the planet."

PA