Description:

Based on 400 hours of interviews with over seventy of The Stone Roses' closest associates, including six former band members, *War and Peace* is the first major biography of the band that defined a generation. Originally planned in collaboration with Reni, the reclusive drummer, this book had been a year in the making when the Roses, against all odds, announced their re-formation. It is a remarkable coda to an astonishing story. In 1989 their debut album and the single 'Fools Gold' made them the most exciting British export since the Sex Pistols. With their incendiary aura the Roses became figureheads of the 'Madchester' movement *War and Peace* traces the band's genesis, studded with violent gigs and abandoned recordings, and shaped by their infamous manager Gareth Evans. As their jeans grew wider and their songs more anthemic, the Roses' legendary gigs culminated in the era-defining Spike Island show in 1990. From this pinnacle the unravelling was spectacular. With the band refusing to play in America, arrested for vandalizing a record company and dragged through the High Court, the epic recording of their dark second album is the stuff of legend. They disbanded in turmoil in 1996. Since then the Roses myth has grown even bigger. 'I Wanna Be Adored', 'She Bangs the Drums', 'Waterfall', 'This Is the One' and 'I Am the Resurrection' have become national anthems, and their first album is widely recognized as one of the best ever made. But the true story behind their rise and fall - and resurrection - has never been told. Until now. From the Manchester backwaters to the worldwide 2012 tour, *War and Peace* lays bare the irresistible tale of the last of the great bands. * With 40 unseen photos, including from renowned rock photographer Dennis Morris ** ### Review "This is the one. It’s the definitive biography of the band, stuffed with photos that have never been seen before—the production values are gorgeous. The writing feels really fresh and definitive. It’s a classic." —Alex Heminsley, BBC 6 Music Book of the Month "The Stone Roses are more important than Picasso.” —Damien Hirst, artist "[Their music] brings back memories of the most happiest time in my football career...The fact that they are back is incredible to see." —David Beckham "It's like 'Quadrophenia.' They're the best band in the world, no question. I followed them around when I was 16 and 17, it's amazing." —Liam Gallagher, former Oasis frontman and Beady Eye singer "A comprehensive, no-holds-barred account of a . . . shambolic, chaotic, mercurial and self-destructive band. Spence details, with steely, forensic precision, the story of the group's ascent, heyday and spectacular implosion. All the triumphs and disasters are here." —*Sunday Times *"This is the one Stone Roses book fans will want to read. Copies of this superb biography will not remain on shop shelves for long." —*The Bookseller * 'The band's background has never been so exhaustively detailed...an absorbing yarn." —*Sunday Business Post* "Rich with context. The view from the American industry is particularly illuminating." —*The Observer * "Simon Spence’s Stone Roses bio *War & Peace* is so good. This is gonna be a summer of Roses books—but this is the one, this is the one." —*Q Magazine* ### About the Author SIMON SPENCE is a writer, journalist, and biographer who has collaborated with Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham on the acclaimed memoirs *Stoned* and *2Stoned*. He has written for the *NME*, *i-D*, *Dazed & Confused* and the *Independent*. He lives in London, England.