Manchester is and always will be a city of music. From The Hollies in the sixties, to contemporary chart-toppers like The 1975 and Blossoms – the city has produced more than its fair share of world-class musicians.
Today people flock here from all over the world to share in the city’s musical heritage, which is evident on almost every street corner – from Salford Lads’ Club, the site of the iconic Smiths photo, to the apartment block that was once the Hacienda, the birthplace of the Madchester era.
While Wonderwall may be the first thing people think of when it comes to Manchester music, our city’s musical legacy runs much deeper than that. Here are some of the best albums made by Manchester bands and musicians.
1. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures (1979)
Even the cover for this album is iconic. Never mind Manchester, Joy Division’s debut album, recorded in Stockport’s Strawberry Studios, often ranks among the best albums ever recorded.
2. Stone Roses – Self-titled (1989)
Despite having only two studio albums to their name, Stone Roses are one of the defining Manchester bands of the nineties. Their self-titled debut album features crowd favourites like “I Wanna Be Adored,” “Made of Stone” and “I am the Resurrection.” (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)
3. Simply Red – Stars (1991)
The fourth studio album from Simply Red, led by Denton-raised Mick Hucknall (one of the two famous people from Tameside – the other is also on this list), was the number one album in the UK in both 1991 and 1992. It is certified 12-times platinum. (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
4. The Verve – Urban Hymns (1997)
The third studio album from Wigan’s The Verve features hits like “Bittersweet Symphony” and “The Drugs Don’t Work.” (Photo by Simone Joyner/Getty Images)