Road To The Reunion by Paul Stevens The death of a legend...

1995

April 1995

RENI QUITS THE STONE ROSES SHORTLY BEFORE SC TOUR On the eve of launching into their comeback tour and after missing the shooting of the 'Ten Storey Love Song' video, Reni makes the decision to leave the band. He is replaced by Robbie Jay Maddix, who remains in the band til the last performance (and appears of the Crimson Tonight Live EP). Session keyboardist Nigel Ipinson is unofficially made a permanent addition to the band.

1996

April 1996

JOHN SQUIRE QUITS THE BAND AND MARKS THE END Amid talks of the band recording a third LP, Squire calls up band members to call it a day, Ian Brown takes it very personally feeling that John abandons him when the chips are down and so starts 16 years of hurt. The Roses hunt for a replacement guitarist, rumours fly about and include Slash. Eventually fellow Manc (and one-time Simply Red guitarist) Aziz Ibrahim is announded.

10th & 11th August 1996

JOHN SQUIRE APPEARS ON STAGE WITH OASIS John Squire had already starting looking for and putting together a new band but not in time for Oasis' landmark gigs at Knebworth. Instead Squire joined Oasis on stage for two songs, their anthemic 'Champagne Supernova' (which he totally ripped apart with his legendary soloing) and Beatles cover 'I Am The Walrus'

25th August 1996

THE STONE ROSES HEADLINE READING FESTIVAL It would've been up for their disappointment for missing their Glastonbury Headline slot (due to John's biking accident) the prevous year but Squire-less the remaining Roses put in a dismal performance with an unrecognisable line-up (more of a pointer to the Ian Brown solo project than the classic and treasured 1989 line-up). Brown's singing is off (to be polite), Robbie Maddix is heard shouting "let's see those hands in the air", there's a shaved-headed mini-skirted lady freaky dancing on stage and only two of the classic line-up are to be seen. The fan's shed tears, the critics tear them to shreads and then comes the announcements...

29th October 1996

IAN BROWN OFFICIAL STATEMENT "Having spent the last ten years in the filthiest business in the universe it's a pleasure to announce the end of the Stone Roses. May God bless all who gave us their love and supported us throughout this time, special thanks to the people of Manchester who sent us on our way. Peace be upon you."

29th October 1996

MANI OFFICIAL STATEMENT "After much speculation I've decided, along with Ian Brown, that it's time to end the Roses saga. I will be joining Primal Scream, who are one of only three other bands I would ever consider joining. I'm absolutely delighted and am relishing the opportunity of playing with Bobby and my friends. I wish Ian, Robbie, Nigel & Aziz all the best and hope that we will work together again in the future. I take the opportunity to thank our Record Company who have stood by us through thick and thin and also to our fans worldwide for their total 100% loyal support. It's been a privilege to give these people a buzz and it wouldn't have been possible without them. I wish Johnny [Squire] and his new band a fruitful time, I hope they go on and smash it".

27th November 1996

JOHN SQUIRE REVEALS THE SEAHORSES Squire's new band 'The Seahorses' played a secret live debut at Buckley Tivoli. Seahorses are John Squire on guitar, Chris Helme on vocals, Stuart Fletcher on bass and Andy Watts on drums.

1997

April/May 1997

SEAHORSES DEBUT SINGLE & LP The Seahorses release their debut single 'Love Is The Law' (and only) studio album, 'Do It Yourself' featuring new artwork, also by Squire.

October 1997

IAN BROWN SIGNS TO POLYDOR Ian Brown told the NME that he had signed a solo deal with Polydor and has completed his debut album.

1998

12th January 1998

DEBUT SINGLE MY STAR RELEASED Ian Brown releases his debut solo single 'My Star', shortly followed by his album 'Unfinished Monkey Business'.

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Road To The Reunion

1999

January 1999

SEAHORSES SPLIT - FIRST ROSES REUNION RUMOUR Days after John gives an interview giving details of the Seahorses awaited 2nd album the band announces it is to split due to musical differences, this is mainly due to tensions and artistic direction issues between Squire and singer/songwriter Chris Helme. The split gives rise to the first Stone Roses reunion rumours, swiftly denied by Brown.

10th April 1999

SKUNK WORKS AD John places an advert in the Melody Maker's classified section looking for a singer and announcing that he is putting together a third band.

October 1999

SQUIRE TO WORK WITH EX-VERVE MEMBER News comes that John Squire is forming a band with ex-Verve Bassist Simon Jones and latter-day Seahorses drummer Mark Heaney, it is rumoured that the band are named Reluctance. Demoes would eventually surfaced (on the Don't Stop site) of some early instrumental Jams and later more finished songs with vocals from Duncan Baxter, one song 'I Want You' is a complete overhaul of a second album era Seahorses demo track which was halfway between the Seahorses version and the John Squire solo track that it would eventually become - 'Strange Feeling'.

2000

January 2000

RENI'S SECOND COMING Reni announces to the NME that he has put together a new band, called The Rub.

August 2000

SQUIRE LOSES ANOTHER BAND Jones and Heaney part company with Squire, burying the demos/jams for a number of years and putting into play steps to a dramatic change in John's musical career. Jones/Heaney/Baxter go on to form The Shining, Squire goes on to put together a band for his debut solo project, taking to the mic for the first time.

2002

16th September 2002

TIME CHANGES EVERYTHING Squire releases debut solo album 'Time Changes Everything' on own label (North Country Records) the NME gives it 8/10. Ironically The Shining release their debut LP 'True Skies' on the same day.

30th November 2002

SQUIRE OPENS DEBUT GIG WITH I AM THE RESURRECTION NME 30/11/02 Liverpool University Live review Link "The mood of regret couldn't hang heavier on the air if they'd played 'I Am The Resurrection' on the PA before he came on. John shoots a glance at a backing band who are so fresh-faced they make The Seahorses look like Motorhead's roadies. He starts up a riff, it's 'I Am The Resurrection'. Disbelief hits the crowd in waves. First comes mute belief. By the bass breakdown, aching limbs are preparing themselves for an unscheduled bout of freaky dancing. By the guitar solo, people are putting cigarettes out on their hands to quell the Spike Island flashbacks."

2004

11th July 2004

OBSERVER AIDS ROSES' RETURN Guardian 11/07/04 Link "The Stone Roses' eponymous debut album has steamed back into the charts at number nine - its highest position - after it was voted number one in Observer Music Monthly's 100 Greatest British Albums poll."

26th July 2004

SECOND COMING FOR ROSES CLASSICS NME 26/07/04 Link "IAN BROWN has played a full set of STONE ROSES songs for the first time in almost ten years" "The gig, Brown's biggest of the year, was made during a break from recording his fourth solo album, which is due later this year." "for the show the Stone Roses star hired members of a tribute band called 'Fools Gold', and played an hour of classics, including 'I Wanna Be Adored', 'Fools Gold' and 'Waterfall'."

2005

25th March 2005

ROSES RETURN NME 25/03/05 Link "IAN BROWN was joined by former STONE ROSES bandmate MANI last night (March 24) at the scene of a legendary gig once performed by their old band back in 1989." "The pair performed Roses classic 'I Wanna Be Adored' together to an ecstatic crowd at the end of the opening night of King Monkey's UK tour at Blackpool Empress Ballroom."

1st April 2005

ROSES RESURRECTION RUMOURS GROW Manchester Online 01/04/05 Link "RUMOURS of a Stone Roses reunion have been rife for the last few weeks, particularly since Mani made a guest appearance at Ian Brown's Blackpool show." "Another rumour - that Reni, Mani and John Squire spent yesterday evening together watching the Love gig at Manchester Academy - is also doing the rounds on the internet."

18th May 2005

NEW SQUIRE MATERIAL & STONE ROSES ARTWORK Don't Stop 18/05/05 Link "According to John Squire's website / design team, John plans to commission a new art print - a 15th Anniversary print of the Spike Island poster (which will - hopefully - be available from the 27th May and in very limited quantities) expect this to be confirmed very soon." "They were unable to confirm anything definite about John Squire's musical career, however, I was told that John "was writing songs again and focusing back on this activity for the immediate future"

18th May 2005

"ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ROSES REFORM" Manchester Online 18/05/05 Link "OASIS guitarist Noel Gallagher has added fuel to the Stone Roses’ reunion rumours by saying "it's only a matter of time" before they get back together" "They’ve got unfinished business, and they’d have to do new tunes, but they’d be idiots if they didn’t; Mani would at the drop of a hat; Ian and John have got issues, but they can be worked out."

May 2005

SQUIRE, MANI & RENI AT ARTHUR LEE & LOVE GIG BBC 6music 05/05 Link Mani: "Last time I saw John we had a talk about it and it's something we wouldn't rule out, but I think Mr Brown may have completely different ideas about it. "They're two grown men now, y'know what I mean, so hopefully they'll have a natter and see what comes of it. "It's something I'd like to do - close the book properly. There's still a lot of fans out there would like to see it. It's something that's not at the forefront of me mind, but totally not a million miles away from it either. "Me, John and Reni went to see Arthur Lee and Love in Manchester about a month ago and it's the first time John and Reni have met since about '94/'95 - got on like it was just yesterday they'd seen each other."

24th May 2005

SQUIRE TO MAKE FEROCIOUS GUITAR LP THEN REFORM ROSES Timeout Magazine 24/05/05 Link "The plan is to make a ferocious guitar album on my own. And then to put the Roses back together."

24th May 2005

STONE ROSES TO REFORM FOR GLASTO 2005? NME 24/05/05 / XFM 24/05/05 Link "Speaking to the magazine, Squire said, "The plan is to make a ferocious guitar record on my own. And then put the Roses back together. Kylie’s pulled out [of Glastonbury], hasn’t she? Maybe we should do it."

24th May 2005

RENI ALSO 'WILLING TO JOIN REFORM' Manchester Online 24/05/05 Link "The Roses’ drummer Alan “Reni” Wren, also 41, is also said to be willing to join a reformed line-up."

25th May 2005

BROWN DISMISSES ROSES REUNION CLAIMS Manchester Online 25/05/05 Link Don't Stop: "...however, reading the full article there's a full more balanced and less emotional response from Brown, whether this is a sign that things are winding down between them "remains to be seen".

25th May 2005

6MUSIC SPEAKS TO MANI 6Music 25/05/05 Link "Last time I saw John we had a talk about it and it's something we wouldn't rule out, but I think Mr Brown may have completely different ideas about it."

26th May 2005

6MUSIC SPEAKS TO MICHAEL EAVIS 6Music 26/05/05 Link "I was talking to Ian Brown about it a couple of weeks ago and he and John have got to get together really."

29th May 2005

BROWN CONTINUES TO DENY ROSES BY PLAYING THE CLASSICS Manchester Online 29/05/05 Link "There's been talk of a Stone Roses revival, yeah?" he told the crowd. "Well, this is it."

30th May 2005

MANI & RENI IN AUDIENCE AT CARLING 24 The Mirror 30/05/05 Link Furious former Stone Roses bassist Mani was overheard grumbling: "It would have been nice to have been fucking asked."

30th May 2005

IAN BROWN AT CARLING 24 Gigwise 30/05/05 Link "The monkey man was appearing at a gig in Manchester for the current run of Carling Live 24 events where bass player Mani and drummer Reni were stood in the audience. Brown performed several Roses’ classics on his own rather than inviting his former band mates onstage to join him. While it’s fairly well known that the singer has fallen out with guitarist John Squire, Brown has never publicly snubbed the other two until now."

31st May 2005

RENI SPEAKS OUT NME 31/05/05 Link Both confirmed they would be up for reforming their old band. "Never say never, but it won't be this year," Reni told BBC Six Music. "I'm going to play with Mani that's a guaranteed – I'm writing songs for me and him."

31st May 2005

UPCOMING RENI/MANI INTERVIEW BBC MCR 31/05/05 Link "This is the first time Reni has agreed to a face to face interview in over 10 years."

1st June 2005

TRANSCRIPT OF RENI/MANI INTERVIEW 01/06/05 Link Reni: "I'm going to play with him (Mani), that's a guaranteed. I'm writing songs for me and him…"

2nd June 2005

MANI: "I'LL GET BROWN AND SQUIRE TOGETHER" Guardian 02/06/05 Link Mani: "They're both over 40 and it's getting undignified."

2006

28th January 2006

'THE STONE ROSES' ONCE AGAIN TOPS THE NME'S TOP 100 GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME NME 28/01/06 Link Do you still see the others? "I bumped into Reni at an Arthur Lee gig, I see him now and again. We're friends. Mani's godfather to all three of my kids." And what about Ian? "Well, it's all very well him saying he's still got the same number and I should call him, but if the kid keeps slagging me off..." Do you foresee a time when you'll get on? "Yeah, why not? I'd like to be friends again."

23rd February 2006

IAN BROWN PICKS UP GODLIKE GENIUS AWARD FOR HIS OUTSTANDING SOLO AND STONE ROSES CAREER Don't Stop / NME 23/02/06 Link "NME Awards. As well as his acceptance speech and an introduction video, performances of 'F.E.A.R.' and Stone Roses classic 'I Wanna Be Adored' were televised." - Don't Stop "Reflecting on his career, Brown said that he was particularly pleased to be honoured for his solo work as he was for his contribution to The Stone Roses." - NME

18th May 2006

BRAND NEW JOHN SQUIRE MUSIC Don't Stop 18/05/06 Link "The biggest treat though, are two brand new instrumental recordings, recorded especially for this overhaul, simply listed as 'One' and 'Two'. The new tracks are something to get excited about, it sounds as if creating all of the new work has rubbed off on John and inspired him musically as well, here his guitar seems fresh, rejuvenated and with the confidence to be experimental again and challenge the listener and it's what we've been waiting for, I feel. And coming to us just over 2 years since his last recordings on 'Marshall's House'. Let's hope there is more of this on the way." - Don't Stop

21st May 2006

IAN BROWN INTERVIEW - SQUIRE SENDS BROWN BACKING TRACK Mail On Sunday 21/05/06 Link "Further evidence of Brown being at peace with the world emerged in 2004, when his live shows began to include a fair smattering of Stone Roses hits. With a massive pay packet in the offing, the almost annual rumours of The Stone Roses reforming (last year it was said they would play at Glastonbury) depend entirely on Brown's arctic relationship with Squire, who quit the band by phone ten years ago. Suprisingly, Brown reveals news of what could be construed as an olive branch. 'He actually sent me a backing track a few weeks ago,' says Brown, 'but that's the only contact I've had with him since 1996 - apart from a packet of Maltesers he sent me with a note telling me that he still loved me and that he hoped everything was cool. We always used to buy each other a box of Maltesers at Christmas...'" - Mail On Sunday

2007

27th March 2007

IAN BROWN & MANI TO JOIN FOR VERSUS CANCER Albumvote.co.uk 27/03/07 Link "Event organiser and former Smiths Bass Player Andy Rourke has told Music Week that: 'Both Mani and Hooky are going to be doing something with Echo and the Bunnymen, Mani's going to be doing something with Ian Brown, and the grand finale's going to be quite special.'" - musicweek

31st March 2007

IAN BROWN, MANI & CRESSA ON STAGE FOR 'I AM THE RESURRECTION' Don't Stop 31/03/07 Link "The most talked about collaboration, surely, was Ian Brown joined on stage by Mani and original vibemaster Cressa for a one-off performance of 'I Am The Resurrection', which you can view in full, here: I Am The Resurrection (10:13)." - Don't Stop

1st August 2007

BROWN: "I DON'T DRINK, BUT I WOULD HAVE A STARBUCKS WITH HIM" Manchester Online 01/08/07 Link Later, when asked of a Stone Roses reunion, of course he denied it completely and added: "I haven't spoken to John in 11 years. He left me to drown but I ended up doing the butterfly." but when asked if he'd meet Squire for a drink he, unexpectantly, answered: "I don't drink... but I would have a Starbucks with him. But only if he's buying."

2008

28th March 2008

IF JOHN SQUIRE CALLED IAN BROWN TOMORROW imwiththeband.com 28/03/08 Link Twenty years on from The Stone Roses album, Brown is still managing to make music as vital as that startling debut. This, however, has done little to silence the reformation demands from generations of fevered Roses fans, looking for the second coming; a little splash of light to shine on those glory days where anything seemed possible. So, hypothetically speaking, if John Squire called Ian Brown tomorrow and asked to get the Roses back together, what would it take? "Well, he'd better have some pretty good tunes together," Brown deadpans. "After this long, they'd want to be pretty great."

15th December 2008

MANI SUGGESTS ROSES SHOULD MARK 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A REUNION: "IT'S THE IDEAL TIME" Don't Stop 15/12/08 Link "He told internet TV station channelbee: "Me, John and Reni are up for doing it and Ian just needs some working on. Next year is the 20th anniversary of the first album. "It's the ideal time to do it. It’s something I would love to do before we are all fat and bald. Start the campaign." Mani said he had been working on Ian when they had met up: "I've been seeing Ian at United when he’s there with his kids."

2009

17th March 2009

IS THIS THE ONE?... Don't Stop 17/03/09 Link The Daily Record prints the story today: Ian Brown has finally agreed to Reform The Roses for a 21-date summer tour. It reports that the original four intended to announced this tour in May to coincide with the 20th Anniversary release of their debut album. A source said: "It's taken a lot of time to get Ian to agree but he's finally signed on the dotted line. "The rest of the band were really up for it, especially when they realised the amount of money on the table." Squire who left the band in 1996 to form The Seahorses has always stated openly that he would one day want to get back in contact with Ian Brown and reform the band.

19th March 2009

JOHN SQUIRE ATTEMPS TO QUELL RECENT 'VIRULENT' RUMOURS Don't Stop 19/03/09 Link John has concreted his current views on a reformation by making the image to the right (which reads "I have no desire whatsoever to desecrate the grave of seminal Manchester pop group The Stone Roses 18.3.09") his homepage entry to his official site.

20th March 2009

SQUIRE: "I'D RATHER LIVE MY LIFE THAN ATTEMPT TO RE-HASH IT." Don't Stop 20/03/09 Link Appearing on BBC Newsnight, John Squire permanently (?) closes the door on Stone Roses reformation rumours. Squire appeared on last night's programme denying the latest rumour and saying that he has no desire now to ever reform the Roses. When the presenter double-checked, asking: "Never means absolutely never?" Squire, smiling replied: "I'd rather live my life than attempt to re-hash it." He also said that it would be pointless to go back to that time. "I'm trying to stop the phones ringing."

9th June 2009

WAVE FUCKING £20M IN FRONT OF SOMEBODY AND THEY CHANGE THEIR MIND Don't Stop 09/06/09 Link "Ian and John have to get it sorted out and take it from there..." "For all the morals and principles that people have, you wave fucking £20m in front of somebody and they change their mind. You'll see how their philosophies soon change."

10th June 2009

IAN BROWN REMASTERS ANNIVERSARY RELEASE WITH JOHN LECKIE Don't Stop 10/06/09 Link Ian Brown takes time out to re-master The Stone Roses debut album with John Leckie.

10th August 2009

THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY Don't Stop 10/08/09 Link The Stone Roses - The 20th Anniversary is released on multiple format including a 3LP/3CD/DVD/USB Collector's Edition.

2011

13th April 2011

IAN, JOHN & MANI BACK TOGETHER AT LAST Don't Stop 13/04/11 Link If you look to your right, you may see something that you didn't expect to. When I first heard about this story (I was, of course saddened and felt for the entire Mounfield family) I wouldn't believe that Ian and John had actually met, when I read people close to them confirm it, I couldn't believe it and I am still shocked that a photograph has actually made it out there. So there can be no doubt now, for the first time in 15 years, Ian Brown and John Squire have met up and at the very least, put years of hurt aside and been amicable to each other. Let's hope that out of these tradgic circumstance, the three of them can maintain/rebuild their relationships, regardless of any possible future collaborations. I say well done to both of them for each putting their differences aside as while it's their private relationship, we know them both through the music and their current careers and owe them both for soundtracking our lives and inspiring us daily. Above everything, it just felt like they should make up and this is a great start. We'll butt out now and let you fellas get reacquainted.

11th May 2011

IAN TO PERFORM 'THIS IS THE ONE' AT OLD TRAFFORD Don't Stop 11/05/11 Link "Ian Brown is set to perform live before former Manchester United and England full-back Gary Neville's testimonial. As Neville himself tweeted: 'Big news! The legend that is Ian Brown is singing the teams out at my testimonial! Wow! Honour for me! This is the one!'"

14th October 2011

THE STONE ROSES TO REFORM IN 2012? Don't Stop 14/10/11 Link "It's that time of year again! There's certainly been plenty of Stone Roses reformation rumours over the years but this latest one (that first starting appearing earlier this evening, originated by newspaper The Sun) appears to be going viral, with stories appearing on all the main sites (NME, The Sun, Clash Music, Daily Mail as well as the usual flurry of tweets and facebook activity)." "These latest rumours are centred around the band reforming for two hometown gigs next year. A major music PR has called a press conference in London on Tuesday to make a "very important announcement" and although they have refused to confirm or deny the name of the artist making the announcement it is heavily rumoured that it is the Roses that are about to break the news." "The Sun follows up their story of three of the four original members meeting in tragic circumstances with John Squire and Ian Brown putting their issues aside to honour the memory of ex-bandmate Gary 'Mani' Mounfield's mother. The paper suggests that the two main songwriters have been in further contact since the funeral and have decided that now is the time to again share the stage." "At time of writing the NME suggests that they have been contacted by original drummer Alan 'Reni' Wren who suggests that he is not involved in any such reunion; messaging the NME: 'Not before 9T will I wear the hat 4 the Roses again'". At time of writing (Sunday 16th Oct) we still have had no denial from Squire, Brown or Mani so we will have to wait to Tuesday to see whether it is actually true and that The Stone Roses will reform for 2012!

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The Stone Roses


18th October 2011
Band Reformed. First Live Dates. New Material. Job Done.




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