The Stone Roses

The Stone Roses are an influential alternative rock band that formed in Manchester, England in 1984. For most of their career, the band consisted of Ian Brown (vocals), John Squire (guitar), Gary "Mani" Mounfield (bass) and Alan "Reni" Wren (drums). Meshing 60s-styled guitar-driven rock with understated 80s dance beats and other influences, the band largely defined the British alternative scene of the late 80s and early 90s. After their eponymous 1989 debut album became an international sensation, countless other groups in the same vein became popular, including The Charlatans, EMF, and the Inspiral Carpets. However, the band was never able to capitalize on the promise of their first album and the whole 'madchester' scene due to acrimonious conflicts with their label, their manager, and others, waiting five years before they released their second record and slowly disintegrating in the year and half after that album's release release.

At the very beginning, the Stone Roses emerged from the remains of the artist "The Garage Flowers", a Manchester-based band formed by schoolmates John Squire (guitar) and Ian Brown (vocals). In 1984, the Stone Roses officially formed as Squire and Brown added drummer Reni (born Alan John Wren), guitarist Andy Couzens, and bassist Pete Garner. The group began playing warehouses around Manchester, cultivating a dedicated following rather quickly.