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Ian Brown and John Squire met at funeral of bassist's mother – and that's all, he says
It was the reunion that a generation had hoped for, and for a short while it seemed that their prayers for a resurrection had been answered. But, after hours of frenzied speculation, a little anxiety and some unbridled delight, rumours that the Stone Roses were to reunite have been brought to an abrupt end. And the consolation prize? A Right Said Fred comeback.
After a day of rumour, the former Stone Roses drummer Reni flatly denied that the Stone Roses, who split after two albums, were about to reform.
A meeting between estranged singer and lead guitarist, Ian Brown and John Squire, at the funeral of bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield's mother, set off rumours that resulted in the Sun reporting that their "megabucks reunion is now being lined up to happen later in the year".
Clint Boon, of fellow 90s "Madchester" band Inspiral Carpets, added fuel to the reunion fire with a series of tweets. "It's true that Ian & John met recently. It was at Mani's mum's funeral. We all went back to a pub in Failsworth. Ian & John got on great," he wrote. "They spent a couple of hours chatting. All very relaxed n that. Apart from that, i know nowt else ..." He added: "As a friend and a fan i do hope it happens."
But by the end of the day, the story that led one fan to tweet: "A Stone Roses reunion would make my life" had been denied. Mani did little to hide his anger. "I'm disgusted that my personal grief has been invaded and hijacked by these nonsensical stories," he told the NME, referring to the meeting of Brown and Squire at his mother's funeral.
"Two old friends meeting up after 15 years to pay their respects to my mother does not constitute the reformation of the Stone Roses. Please fuck off and leave it alone. It isn't true and isn't happening."
Another reunion, however, was confirmed. PVC-clad brothers Richard and Fred Fairbrass revealed that a new Right Said Fred single will be released next month, with a tour – Night of the Living Fred – kicking off on 25 April.
