Liam Gallagher joined members of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream to carry the coffin of legendary bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield as he was laid to rest at Manchester Cathedral this morning.
The funeral took place on Monday 22 December, bringing together musicians, public figures and hundreds of fans to honour the life of one of Manchester’s most influential music figures. Mani, who rose to fame as the bassist for The Stone Roses before later joining Primal Scream, died peacefully in his sleep on 20 November, aged 63, following complications related to emphysema.
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His death came just two years after the loss of his wife Imelda, who died from cancer, a tragedy that deeply affected the musician in his final years.
Among those who helped carry Mani’s coffin were Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Stone Roses singer Ian Brown, drummer Alan John ‘Reni’ Wren, guitarist John Squire, and Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie. The coffin itself was wrapped in John Squire’s iconic ‘Bye, Bye Birdman’ artwork, famously used on the cover of The Stone Roses’ self-titled debut album, a visual tribute that resonated deeply with fans of the band.
The service drew mourners from across the worlds of music, sport and public life. Sir David Beckham, a lifelong Stone Roses fan and former Manchester United star, attended alongside ex-teammate Gary Neville. Musicians present included members of Blossoms, Happy Mondays star Bez, guitarist Aziz Ibrahim, The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess, Inspiral Carpets musician Clint Boone, Courteeners frontman Liam Fray, and The Jam legend Paul Weller.
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Also in attendance were Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsey and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, reflecting the wide-reaching impact Mani had beyond music alone.
During the service, Ian Brown paid a heartfelt tribute to his longtime bandmate, describing him as a “beautiful soul and spirit” and telling those gathered: “He was the life and soul of any room he was in.”
Bobby Gillespie also spoke warmly of their friendship, saying the bassist made him “feel like a million dollars.”
Former Happy Mondays singer Rowetta described Mani as “a great role model for his sons,” highlighting the importance of family in his later life.
Las week, John Squire shared a new piece of artwork in honour of his former Stone Roses bandmate, Mani.
Outside the cathedral, hundreds of locals and fans lined the streets of Manchester to pay their respects as the funeral cortege passed through the city. Floral tributes adorned the hearse, spelling out “DAD”, “R KID”, and Mani’s nickname, a poignant reminder of the affection he inspired both at home and among fans worldwide.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Mani had died at his family home in Heaton Moor, Stockport. Announcing the news on Facebook, his brother Greg Mounfield wrote: “IT IS WITH THE HEAVIEST OF HEARTS THAT I HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THE SAD PASSING OF MY BROTHER GARY MANI MOUNFIELD. RIP RKID.”
Despite his ill health, Mani had recently announced plans for a lengthy speaking tour, scheduled to run between September 2026 and June 2027, in which he intended to reflect on his life and career in music. His final public appearance came in October, when he attended the funeral of boxer Ricky Hatton.
Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield is survived by his teenage twin sons, Gene and George, to whom many of today’s tributes were dedicated.
