Reflecting on a memorable encounter with Johnny Marr, legendary guitarist of The Smiths, the Ven Dr Rachel Mann, Archdeacon of Bolton and Salford shared this Pause for Thought on BBC Radio 2.
"Years back, I went to a very convivial lunch in Manchester with a music journalist friend. At the end of the meal, he said, ‘do you fancy coming to an interview with me?’ I must admit I really needed to get back to being a vicar, but just for once I thought, why not? Have some fun.
"So off we went to a nearby studio and joined the press pack for a face to face with one of the greatest guitarists who’s ever lived, the legend that is Johnny Marr, who was talking to select journos about his new signature guitar. My heart was racing. Johnny Marr. I had to play it cool.
"Then we were led into his presence, and this is where it got surreal. My friend asked his questions and Johnny answered pleasantly. I kept silent. Then my mate said, Rachel plays guitar. And Johnny only went and passed his signature guitar across to me, and what was I going to do? In front of one of the greatest players ever? Well, I went for it. I decided to play the one style he never would – heavy metal shredding. What was I thinking? Though as my mate said later, that’s the first time anyone, least of all a vicar, has done an Eddie Van Halen in front of Johnnie on his own guitar.
"I guess sometimes you just have to go for it. It’s not really my style, though. I’ve learned a lot from a spiritual writer called St. Ignatius who says we need to engage our brains as well as our hearts before we act. Discern the way ahead, he says. And when I do that, I’m less likely to do something completely idiotic. I might even draw closer to God.
"But that afternoon with Johnnie, reminds that in life, as much as in faith, it’s all very well to think deeply before you act, but sometimes you just have to follow the energy and see where it leads. Most often it won’t lead to an encounter with a famous guitarist, but it might just show us something new about God’s amazing world. I, for one, will never forget the look of surprise and pleasure on Johnnie’s face as I blazed up and down the fretboard."