The Stone Roses In-depth Biography

The Stone Roses are a Mancunian band who formed in 1983 and consist of vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield, and drummer Alan "Reni" Wren.

They are best known for their indie, alternative rock sound and had most success throughout the late '80s and early '90s with the emergence of Britpop and rising popularity in the music press. The NME and Melody Maker heavily publicised the band on their rise to fame.

Their first major success came after their debut album “The Stone Roses” in 1989 which was well received, but it was their next single “She Bangs the Drums", which gave them a top forty UK hit, and a number one on the UK Independent Chart. In the same year, the band released a double A-side single, "Fools Gold/What the World Is Waiting For", which reached number eight on the UK Singles Chart in November.

The group won four NME Readers poll award Band of the Year, Best New Band, Single of the Year (for "Fools Gold") and Album of the Year (for their debut album). Following on with sell-out concerts, the band fell out with their then record label Silver but signed a million pound contract with new label Geffen Records.

During the early '90s, the band toured Europe, shying away from the Madchester rave scene where clubs like the Hacienda and dance acts The Happy Monday, The Charlatans, 808 State and New Order were all prevalent at the time. After the band’s second album “Second Coming” December 94”, their style had changed to a more heavy, darker sound and the single “Love Spreads” reached number two in the UK Singles Chart.

Following a number of changes in the band, by 1996 the band was no longer together and Ian Brown and John Squire went on to pursue solo careers. Mani went on to join Primal scream as the bassist. After a long period apart the band announced their reunification in October 2011.

In December 2011, The Stone Roses signed new record deals with Columbia Records in New York and Universal Records in the United Kingdom, giving them the potential to earn millions.