In June 2016, British music icons The Stone Roses, featuring prominently guitarist John Squire, delighted fans worldwide with a reunion tour after a three-year hiatus. This followed their initial Reunion Tour of 2012-2013, sparked by a 2011 press conference where they not only announced tour dates but also hinted at a new album – their first since 1994’s Second Coming. While the reunion tours were a resounding success in terms of performances and fan reception, the promised new music remained elusive.
By the summer of 2016, anticipation for a third Stone Roses album surged again with the release of singles “Beautiful Thing” and “All For One“. These tracks, rooted in groove and seemingly born from post-tour jam sessions, suggested a forthcoming album. However, this hope proved to be short-lived.
MOJO 365, with cover stars Liam Gallagher and John Squire
“MOJO Magazine Cover featuring Liam Gallagher and John Squire promoting their collaboration, highlighting John Squire’s return to the music scene after The Stone Roses”
In a recent interview in MOJO Magazine, John Squire, the celebrated guitarist of The Stone Roses, offered a candid perspective on this period. “[Both singles] were really difficult to record,” Squire admitted with notable understatement, suggesting that the creation of a full album was simply “beyond us” at that stage. He further explained, “That last tour was an obligation, we all knew we weren’t signing up for anything more, so, in that sense, it was a satisfying ending.” This reveals the internal dynamics and perhaps strained relationships within The Stone Roses, particularly between the songwriting core of Ian Brown and John Squire.
The complexities within The Stone Roses culminated in their final performance at Hampden Park on June 24, 2017. By this point, John Squire had already made a significant personal decision: to step away from professional music, confining his guitar playing to his home and local pub for personal enjoyment. His focus shifted towards painting and his family life, marking a quiet departure from the intense world of rock and roll.
Interestingly, just a week prior to his MOJO interview, Squire and Liam Gallagher, another prominent figure in British rock, traveled to Manchester for the funeral of Mani’s wife, Imelda. Mani, the bassist for The Stone Roses, shares a long history with Squire that transcends music. “Mani and his wife really doted on our girls when they were younger,” Squire reminisced, highlighting the personal bonds formed over years. “I’ve been in touch with Mani a lot since the first time the band broke up. We used to go on holiday together, the two families.” The funeral wake also brought encounters with former bandmates. “I saw Ian at the funeral… I’ve seen Reni once since the last gig…” Squire’s reflections suggest a sense of time passed and evolving relationships.
Squire’s contemplation on his relationships with his former bandmates is poignant: “With Mani, it’s almost a family thing. With Ian and Reni, it’s just occasional…” This nuanced statement underscores the deep connection with Mani and a more distant, infrequent contact with Ian Brown and Reni, painting a picture of the band’s current dynamics years after their active period.
For fans eager to delve deeper into John Squire’s musical journey, his perspective on The Stone Roses, and his new collaboration with Liam Gallagher, the full interview is available in the latest issue of MOJO magazine. This exclusive interview promises to reveal more about Squire’s decision to step back, his creative pursuits, and his unexpected return to the music scene alongside Liam Gallagher, making it essential reading for followers of British rock history and the enduring legacy of John Squire’s guitar work.
