Rock Revolver: Icons of the 80s Part 2

The Stone Roses are an English rock band who were formed in Manchester in 1983. The band currently consists of members Ian Brown (vocals), John Squire (guitar), Gary "Mani" Mounfield (bass) and Alan "Reni" Wren (drums). They were a part of the infamous Madchester scene, and were thought to have even lead the movement.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 1989, it was an instant success and music critics have hailed it as one of the most influential records. In 1990 The band played a legendary gig at Spike Island, one which was attended by roughly 27,000 fans, and was labelled the "Woodstock of the baggy generation."

The follow up was an album called "Second Coming" released in 1994. This was The Stone Roses' final studio album before they parted ways. The album didn't quite meet people's expectations due to the hype and pressure placed on it. Many bands often struggle to match the success of their hit debut album, and although there were some brilliant tracks (such as "Love Spreads" and "Ten Storey Love Song") The Stone Roses were a band that couldn't overcome the hype with 'that difficult second album'.

Following their breakup in 1996 things went very quiet. Ian Brown and John Squire enjoyed successful solo careers (individually), whilst Mani joined Primal Scream and little was heard from Reni. Reports of a reunion first surfaced in 2007, however members were quick to dismiss them. These rumours continued to be denied until late 2011. A press conference was called on 18th October to announce to the world that The Stone Roses had ended their fifteen year split.

News of an extensive Reunion Tour was also revealed to the world's press at the conference. A warm up show was to take place in Warrington, followed by the main attraction - three homecoming shows in Manchester's Heaton Park. These dates took place on the 29/30th June and 01st July 2012. Irish fans were treated with a gig at Dublin's Phoenix Park on 5th July, just four days later.

The band hit the festival circuit too, playing Scotland's T in the Park, Chelmsford and Staffordshire's V Festival and Northern Ireland's Tennent's Vital. The world tour consisted of gigs in Barcelona, Holland, Denmark, Hungary, Germany and France. It was announced in November 2012 that the band will play The Isle of Wight Festival 2013, various other dates around the world, two dates at London's Finsbury Park in June and a final date on Glasgow Green in June too.

Finally, as a great man once said "The Roses had northern cool but they also had northern soul. They believed they should matter and they did."