He had already followed in his hero's footsteps with a gig at Salford Lads Club. But 12-year-old John Denton's career which began by busking on rain-denched streets of Manchester is poised to take off thanks to a little help from a friend.
Guitar legend, Johnny Marr, who along with fellow members of The Smiths posed for an iconic picture at the Club in Ordsall, has chosen John to be the first recipient of an award he is sponsoring to help young people from Salford with potential to make it in the music industry.
John has covered songs by classic Manchester bands including The Smiths while playing to shoppers on Market Street, with videos of his performances gaining thousands of views on social media.
