12-year-old busker named first winner of The Salford Foundation Trust Johnny Marr Award

A 12-year-old schoolboy who regularly performs in Manchester has received the first Salford Foundation Trust Johnny Marr award.

John Denton, who has racked up thousands of views on social media with his city centre performances, will now receive funding thanks to Marr’s new award dedicated to supporting talented youngsters in the city.

The young guitarist has been awarded £1,000 in funding to pay for music lessons and hopefully progress his career in the industry.

John started playing at the age of eight when he received his first guitar as a Christmas present. He has played gigs around his home town, including at Salford Lads Club – where his hero Johnny Marr posed with The Smiths for an iconic photograph famously used inside the album sleeve for The Queen Is Dead in 1986.

Busking as usual in #manchester today playing one of my favourite tunes from @viewofficial written by @KyleFrancisFalc

Not many @33_oldhamstreet tickets left so c’mon:https://t.co/OzWqD7mzwV@shiner_sam @rickbazza @liamgallagher @talktonighthq @MPeakeOfficial @Johnny_Marr pic.twitter.com/9dGRE67d0h

— John Denton Music (@JohnDentonMusic) February 5, 2022

John’s dad Phil Denton 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.”

Johnny Marr said: “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 has since gone on to from his own group called The Height, named after the area in Salford near where he lives.