The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses are an English rock band from Manchester, active from 1984 to 2017. They are one of the key groups associated with the Madchester scene and are known for combining alternative rock, indie rock, jangle pop, alternative dance and neo-psychedelia. Their classic lineup features Ian Brown on vocals, John Squire on guitar, Mani on bass and Reni on drums.

The band forms in Manchester in the early 1980s and develops into one of the most prominent acts in the Madchester movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Their self-titled debut album appears in 1989 and becomes a breakthrough success, attracting widespread critical acclaim and later being widely regarded as one of the great British albums. After that success, they pursue a move to a major label, but their existing contract with Silvertone leads to a long legal dispute before they sign with Geffen Records in 1991.

The Stone Roses release their second album, Second Coming, in 1994. It receives mixed reviews. During the supporting tour, the band undergoes a series of lineup changes: Reni leaves in early 1995, Squire departs in 1996, and Brown and Mani end the group later that year after a performance at the Reading Festival.

The band reunites in 2011 and tours in 2012, including three homecoming shows at Heaton Park in Manchester. Two singles are released during this period, and recording sessions produce at least three or four new tracks. A documentary about the reunion, The Stone Roses: Made of Stone, directed by Shane Meadows, appears in 2013. The group releases new material in 2016 and continues touring until 2017.

The Stone Roses’ membership also includes Aziz Ibrahim and The Rub, alongside Brown, Squire, Mani and Reni.