The extraordinary true life stories of the Piccadilly Rats have been revealed in a new book

Read all about the colourful history of Manchester’s iconic Piccadilly Rats in a new biography that reveals all.

The Piccadilly Rats are Manchester legends in their own right, and can be spotted around town most Saturdays, bringing boisterous tunes and bold dance moves with them. 

We’ve all walked past them, some of us might have even stopped to listen and dance, but how much do you really know about the famous rats?

One man has decided to give us all an insight into their colourful pasts, including everything from spiritual awakenings to heroin addictions.  

The band is made up of Garry Stanley, who is described as a ‘genius’ and ‘is the glue that holds the band together’. 

The inspiration behind the band, Garry brings the entertainment to the streets, providing Mancunians exactly what they want each Saturday, week in and week out. 

A former friend of the Kray twins, Ray Boddington was a much-loved performer in the band before his tragic death last year after an accident with a Manchester tram. 

Bassist Heath has been on a spiritual journey over the years, travelling across three continents before finding home in Manchester. 

Together the band have travelled the country busking the streets from Liverpool to Blackpool, even bagging main stage performances at some of the UK’s biggest festivals. 

Author of the book Martin Green, who describes himself as a ‘Mancunian Louis Theroux’, has known the Rats since winter 2013 where he met Heath at his mobile soup kitchen. 

The band and Martin have been friends ever since, and the relationship has now blossomed into their official biography, and Martin’s second book: ‘The Rats Tales: The Extraordinary Life Stories of The Piccadilly Rats‘. 

The book begins with fellow Mancunian music legend Clint Boon’s tribute to the band, as the foreword to the book. 

The book officially launches today, Friday September 11th, with an event back where it all started, on the corner of Piccadilly Gardens and Lever Street, followed by an all day launch party at The Copper Hatch in Urmston this Saturday, September 12th. 

On the Friday event there will be a live set from the band, a pop-up Street Folk soup kitchen put on by the band and author, and a book signing. 

Donations made on the day will be given to Manchester homeless charity, Coffee 4 Craig. 

The biographic book is available to buy now on Amazon now.