Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield has tragically died aged 63, here, we take a look back at his career and his life as fellow stars pay tribute
The music world is in mourning after Stone Roses’ legendary bass player Gary Mani Mountfield died suddenly. The founding member the Stone Roses, who also played in Primal Scream, died aged 63.
His music has inspired millions, including the likes of Liam and Noel Gallagher, to form a band, and Mani had spoken just last month about his plans to get back into music after some time off stage.
His death also comes just two years after his wife Imelda died from Cancer. Mani’s brother Greg Mounfield posted the news on Facebook saying: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother.”His nephew also posted the news and said he would be “ reunited in heaven with his lovely wife Imelda”.
READ MORE: Stone Roses’ Mani was ‘itching’ to get back on stage just weeks before his deathREAD MORE: Stone Roses’ Mani dies nearly two years to the day after wife Imelda
North West Ambulance Service confirmed that paramedics were called to a home in Heaton Moor on Thursday morning. “Emergency crews attended a private address at 10.42am,” said an ambulance service spokesperson. It is understood this was Mani’s address, and no patient was taken to hospital following the emergency call.
Paying tribute Roses bandmate Ian Brown posted on X: “Rest in peace Mani x.” Whilst Oasis frontman Liam, on tour with the band in South America said: “In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani. My hero RIP RKid. LG.”
Former Happy Mondays singer Rowetta said: “Back with your Imelda, Mani. Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him.”
Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder posted: “RIP Mani – my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family.” Ian McCulloch from Echo and the Bunnymen said: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother.
“I am in shock to be honest. Please tell me I’m just having a bad, bad dream. My thoughts and feelings and Manilove to all of his family from me.” Journalist, musician and friend John Robb simply added: “RIP Mani – the soul of the Stone Roses.” As tributes continued to come in, fellow bass player formerly with New Order and Joy Division, Peter Hook said: “Oh God. Mani… words just fail me this time, they really do. I cannot believe it. Sending all my love to his family. This is so sad. RIP mate. Love Hooky. X”
And Manchester United said on X: “A Manchester music icon and a passionate, lifelong Red. Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.” Earlier this week in an emotional tribute posted to Facebook on Monday, the Stone Roses and Primal Scream star shared five pictures of his late wife and wrote: “Today marks the second anniversary of my Imelda’s passing… we miss her every day.
“But we have learnt to adapt to her being in ‘the next room’.… we cant see or touch you, but we feel your presence every day… rest well my love.” Just last week, Mani had announced plans for an extensive speaking tour of the UK, beginning next September 2026 in which he would look back on pivotal career moments such as the Stone Roses’ 1990 Spike Island gig and their comeback tour in 2011.
In an interview last month he told the Rockonteurs podcast: “I’m in a great space at the moment. Itching to get back bro. I’m ready to get back.” He added: “Johnny Marr’s always trying to get me to do stuff. Liam (Gallagher) was always trying to get me involved with stuff before the Oasis thing.
“I’m feeling now that I could pick up again, you know?. I’ve been in the lock up having a look at stuff and weeding out my collection.” Sadly fans never got to hear him play live again.
Mani was born in November 1962 in Crumpsall an outer suburb of Manchester and he attended Xaverian College in Rusholme before leaving school at the age 16. Mani then formed the band the Fireside Chaps with John Squire and Andy Couzens in Greater Manchester in the early 80s.
After several name and lineup changes, including taking on Ian Brown as frontman, the band became the Stone Roses and played their first official gig in October 1984. Mani was then part of The Stone Roses’ classic line-up alongside singer Brown, guitarist John Squire and drummer Alan ‘Reni’ Wren.
He worked on the Manchester band’s iconic 1989 self-titled debut album, which featured hits such as I Wanna Be Adored, She Bangs The Drums, and I Am The Resurrection, which is underpinned by Mani’s own prowling bassline. Years later, this was followed by its harder-rocking 1994 follow-up, Second Coming.
Speaking last month, he admitted bass was not the first instrument he picked up. He said: “I came late to the bass guitar. I was a rhythm guitar player for years, and when the option arose to get on the bass, I jumped on it. And my musical tastes have always been from reggae and funk and soul, and even going back to like, Chris Hillman, I love from The Byrds, is one of my favourites.
Asked about his choice of bass guitar, he said: “Well, I just love Rickenbacker basses, because I’m a real fan of 60s stuff. And The Byrds, the bands from that era, them and Hendrix and The Who and The Kinks. I love all that.”
After The Stone Roses broke up in 1996, citing musical differences, Mani joined Scottish rock band Primal Scream, and remained with them for 15 years. He played on their album Vanishing Point, released a year later, where his bass playing was a key part of lead single Kowalski. He would then go on to record four more albums with the band before leaving the band in 2011 to reform The Stone Roses.
Greeted with shock and delight by millions, the reunion tour took the Roses around the world that year, which ran until 2013, and later recorded the comeback singles All For One and Beautiful Thing in 2016.
The band then played a number of UK gigs in 2016 and 2017, including concerts at Manchester’s Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium and Glasgow’s Hampden Park, which would end up being the classic line-up’s last concert with Brown telling the crowd: “Don’t be sad that it’s over, be happy that it happened.”
Mani married his late wife Imelda after the two met during the 13-month recording of Second Coming at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, and they had two twin sons together born in 2013. Away from music, the Manchester-born star was a keen fan of Manchester United, and often spoke about the team on TV and radio.
This Summer he had attended four of the Oasis live gigs, including one with John Squire and was good friends with the Gallagher brothers. They are expected to now pay tribute to Mani in their final shows of their world tour in Brazil this weekend.
