The Stone Roses guitarist John Squire lost his art studio on Wednesday when it burned to the ground in his home in Macclesfield, Cheshire. The building caught fire and took over 20 firefighters to tackle the blaze. The fire in a converted barn was next to the legendary rocker’s home. The fire Dept confirmed that the blaze was accidentally started. Squire’s agent told the BBC only recent art work was kept in the studio and mainly equipment was destroyed. Squire became a full-time artist after taking a break from music in 2004.
The Stone Roses were an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1984. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band’s most notable lineup consisted of vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield, and drummer Alan “Reni” Wren.
The band released their debut album in 1989, the self titled The Stone Roses. The album was a breakthrough success for the band. At this time the Stone Roses decided to capitalize on their success by signing to a major label; however, their current record label Silvertone would not let them out of their contract, which led to a long legal battle that culminated with the band signing with Geffen Records in 1991, and then finally releasing their second album Second Coming in 1994. The group soon disbanded after several lineup changes throughout the supporting tour, which began with Reni first departing, followed by Squire.
Squires reunited with fellow Stone Roses band members over the summer for three gigs in front of 220,000 fans at Heaton Park in Manchester.They are set to play live to a sold out audience in Finsbury park London next summer.