THE STONE Roses bassist Pete Garner has died at age 61.
The star was in the original line-up of the band when they formed in 1983.
It’s believed he passed away after a battle with cancer.
Frontman Ian Brown today paid tribute to the rocker.
Brown wrote: “Yeah very sad. We were young punk rockers when we met in 77.
“The night before Pete’s 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!”
He added: “Few loved music as much as Pete.
“He had 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 don’t get no more!
“He got that from his lovely Mum! GOD Bless Pete RIP.”
Garner had met Brown and guitarist John Squire in school – and they played together in a band called The Patrol until 1980.
Three years later they together formed The Stone Roses with with Andy Couzens on rhythm guitar and Simon Wolstencroft on drums.
They played their first gig in October 1984, and released their debut single in 1984.
However, after the release of their second single in 1987 Garner left the band to work at HMV.
