The Stone Roses
Elephant Stone

Reni was wanted by the Who.

The first and important debut on the scene of the Stone Roses happened thanks to a charity concert organized by Pete Townshend. The four Mancunians were already on the right path to becoming a force of nature in English rock.

But Reni (nickname of the crazy drummer Alan) was already on another level compared to the rest of the world. When Pete heard him play, he was stunned; Keith Moon had reincarnated (his words). He asked him to follow, but the most famous cap of Manchester politely declined: the Roses were now his home.

It so happened that the intertwining with Squire's guitar gave birth to a legend, and the legend was called Elephant Stone. The Eighties were coming to an end, and Madchester was brought to the surface with a pulsing rhythm. John Leckie (historic producer, also of the La's) and Peter Hook of the New Order produced this first single for Silvertone.

The lyrics were written by Ian and John about a girl whom the latter remembers with a touch of nostalgia. Clouds, heaven, and not being able to land. If you can't land, unfortunately, you fall.

And what other definition for this piece if not a kick in the ass towards heaven? Heaven is referenced multiple times in the quartet's lyrics, as well as many other biblical references mixed with the bittersweet verve of the Roses.

Why Reni? Because the fantastic introduction that precedes Mani's bass and John's splendid tapestry is his. Contemporaneous with the equally ethereal Just Like Heaven by the Cure, Elephant Stone should be listened to in the morning.

Few tracks like this manage to become anthems of life; when you get out of bed and you're ready to not care about the rest of the world. The same world that needs John, Ian, Mani, and Reni more than ever.