Pete Garner, the original bassist in The Stone Roses, has died aged 59. Tributes from fans and the remaining Stone Roses band members have flooded social media, honouring Garner’s contribution to the iconic Manchester band.
No official cause of death has been announced, though fans were aware that Garner had been battling cancer. Media outlets had also been reporting his age as 61, however Ian Brown, frontman of The Stone Roses, corrected this information via Twitter.
Brown wrote, “Our lovely friend Pete was only 59. RiP Pete X.”
Yes John, nice tribute.Our lovely friend Pete was only 59. RiP Pete X
— Ian Brown (@ianbrown) November 3, 2023
He continued, “Yeah very sad. We were young punk rockers when we met in 77. The nite before Petes maths and geography O levels we went to see the Clash. Always made me chuckle he did that and of course he made the right decision! X.”
Yeah very sad. We were young punk rockers when we met in 77. The nite before Petes maths and geography O levels we went to see the Clash. Always made me chuckle he did that and of course he made the right decision! X — Ian Brown (@ianbrown) November 3, 2023
Garner was a member of the band from 1983-1987, playing on some of the band’s most beloved tracks, including “Sally Cinnamon,” “Tell Me” and “So Young.” Garner met Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire at school and was asked to join The Stones Roses three years later.
Garner reportedly made the decision to leave The Stone Roses in favour of working at an HMV because he “believed he wasn’t good enough for them.” He was initially replaced by Rob Hampson, before Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield assumed the role in 1987.
Ian Brown also shared that “few loved music as much as Pete,” calling him “off the scale nice.”
Everything you’re sayin brother! Few loved music as much as Pete he been bathing in music since Anarchy in the Uk came out that i can vouch for and Pete was off the scale nice, an old skool nice that ya just dont get no more! He got that from his lovely Mum! GOD Bless Pete RiP X
— Ian Brown (@ianbrown) November 3, 2023
One fan made a tribute video, celebrating Garner’s contribution to The Stone Roses by putting together rare footage and photos of the band’s early days.
A tribute to Pete Garner. Enjoy pic.twitter.com/Vx5tCpoLUo — Reni (@renifanpage) November 4, 2023
Other fans also shared their appreciation for Garner, with one writing, “he laid the foundations of the band.”
No way was listening to tell me last night thinking of how great the bass is! he laid the foundations of the band
— Sam Taylor (@SamBFC91) November 3, 2023
