Tributes to Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Mani

Tributes to Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Mani

Tributes have been paid to Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield, who has died aged 63.

Mounfield’s death was announced “with the heaviest of hearts” by his brother Greg on Facebook.

Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown posted on social media: “Rest in peace Mani x”.

Liam Gallagher posted: "In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani. My hero, RIP R Kid."

Fellow artists including The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, Echo And The Bunnymen and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder and vocalist Rowetta have also paid tribute (see below).

Mounfield was a founding member of the Stone Roses and his sinuous basslines were a key element in the success of the Manchester band’s 1989 self-titled debut album. Although it only just cracked the Top 20 the following year, peaking at No.19, the LP stuck around and produced multiple charting singles, becoming a musical touchstone for a generation. The impact of the album from a British guitar band arguably paved the way for Oasis.

The Stone Roses album has post-1994 sales of 1,651,081, according to the Official Charts Company.

Mounfield also played on the long-awaited follow-up, Second Coming (1994), following the band’s signing to Geffen Records in the US. It has post-1994 UK sales of 674,079. The album suffered from the huge weight of expectation around the band's return, although it did deliver their highest-charting single, Love Spreads, which peaked at No.2.

The Stone Roses split in 1996 but were reunited after 15 years in 2011. Although they released a couple of new songs – All For One and Beautiful Thing, both Top 40 singles – a much-anticipated third album never materialised. Nevertheless, the band’s comeback was rapturously received at their joyous live shows, which introduced the Stone Roses to a new generation. 

Between 1996 and 2011, Mounfield was bassist for Primal Scream, touring and recording with the band.

The BBC reported that Mounfield's wife, Imelda, died in November 2023, three years after she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. The couple had twin boys, who were born in 2013.

Mounfield had booked a speaking tour of venues for 2026 to share his experiences in the Stone Roses and Primal Scream.

PHOTO: Mani performing in 2016 (Kieran Frost/Redferns/Getty Images)

 



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