Stone Roses rare art by guitarist John Squire auctions in Manchester, UK

If you can't wait for English rock group the Stone Roses' reunion gigs later this year (or if you've missed out entirely, as the 150,000 tickets for their two shows sold out in 14 minutes) then this Manchester auction could be a great stop-gap.

For many years, the group's guitarist, John Squire, denied that he would ever join a reformed Stone Roses. Instead, he insisted, his new passion was for painting.

And Squire - like his fellow rock guitarist, Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood (see bottom picture) - happens to be a very talented artist, as demonstrated by this piece 'Don't Stop' from 1989.

john-squire-dont-stop-art-aucton-1989.jpg
A close-up look at John Squire's 'Don't Stop' painting from 1989

Fans of the group will recognise this oil on canvas as vintage Squire. It dates to the same year as the band's eponymous class debut album.

stone-roses-guitarist-john-squire200.jpg

Many talents: painter and
Stone Roses guitarist John
Squire, shown in his heyday

The art piece's composition uses the "dripping technique", favoured by American Action Painters of the 1950s and '60s like Jackson Pollock.

Fleshy peach tones and shades of black, white, grey and the occasional accent of red help to create a layered effect in the painting.

Keen-eyed fans will note similarities between this artwork and the sleeves of the Stone Roses' debut (pictured top right) and 'Made of Stone' LPs. 

Squire's rare artworks rarely appear the for sale - the last auctioned from the collection of former Creation record label boss and 'man who discovered Oasis' Alan McGee, last year.

Consequently, this 72 x 160 cm artwork carries a £8,000-10,000 presale estimate.

Expect anticipation for the Stone Roses' reunion gigs later this year to boost anticipation, and auction bids, for this painting.

On a side note, this artwork was specifically commissioned by UK music magazine NME for its Christmas 1989 issue.


An autographed original sketch by Ronnie Wood - for sale priced at £2,750


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