The Stone Roses War and Peace

Based on exclusive and original material, The Stone Rosescaptures the magicand chaosbehind the UK band's rise, fall, and recent resurrection The iconic Brit pop band The Stone Roses became an overnight sensation when their 1989 eponymous album went double platinum. It was a recording that is still often listed as one of the best albums ever made. Its chiming guitar riffs, anthemicmelodies, and Smiths-like pop sensibility elevated The Stone Roses to a cult-like status in the UK and put them on the map in the U.S. But theirs is a story of unfulfilled success: their star imploded as their sophomore effort took years to complete and the band broke up acrimoniously in 1996. Now, sixteen years later, they have reunited and toured Europe to much anticipation in the summer 2012; not stopping there, the Stone Roses have announced a new record deal and a US tour to come in 2013. With one hundred interviews of key figures, forty unseen photographs, and exclusive insider material including how they created their music, The Stone Rosescharts the band's rise from the backwaters of Manchester to becoming the stars of the "Madchester" scene to their 2011 reunion. Going beyond the myths to depict a band that defined Brit pop, the book illustrates their incandescent talent and jaw-dropping success while contextualizing them in the 90s music scene. This isthe definitive story of The Stone Roses.

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.

"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