“I was geared up to play Steve Vai solos. But they sent me in a completely different direction”: How John Squire’s replacement had to reinvent his playing when he joined the Stone Roses

Aziz Ibrahim and John Squire comp.

John Squire’s departure was a huge loss for the Stone Roses. The Mancunian indie band had released two monumental albums before he stepped aside in 1996, and Simply Red’s touring guitarist, Aziz Ibrahim, was subsequently sworn in.

Ibrahim delighted in the opportunity. But it also presented a huge learning curve.