The Stone Roses and Primal Scream legend Gary “Mani” Mounfield is set to be laid to rest with a funeral in Manchester later this month.
The bassist and Manchester music icon, who played a central role in shaping the sound of two of Britain’s most influential rock bands, died on 20 November at the age of 63. His brother Greg announced the news on Facebook, saying he died “peacefully at his home in Heaton Moor” in Greater Manchester.
Mani first rose to fame in the late 1980s as the bassist for the Stone Roses, contributing defining basslines to classics that helped define the Madchester movement. After the Roses initially split, he went on to join Primal Scream, recording and touring with the band for many years before later reuniting with the Roses. Tributes poured in from across the music world following his passing, with bandmates, peers and fans remembering his influence and generosity.
Taking to Facebook, his brother described him as a “beloved husband to the late Imelda [and] the much loved father to George, Gene and Joe”, as well as “a loved son-in-law, nephew, cousin and good friend to many.”
A service in his honour will be held at Manchester Cathedral on Victoria Street on Monday 22 December, beginning at 11:30 am, followed by a private committal service.
Mani was born Gary Mounfield in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, and emerged as a key figure in the late-1980s Madchester scene, a movement that fused indie rock with dance rhythms and club culture. Joining The Stone Roses in 1987, he replaced founding bassist Pete Garner and quickly became integral to the band’s sound, helping to anchor their mix of psychedelic rock, funk and groove-driven rhythms at a time when Manchester was becoming a global music hub.
As a member of The Stone Roses, Mani played on their influential self-titled debut album released in 1989, widely regarded as one of the most important British albums of all time. His bass work featured prominently on tracks such as “I Wanna Be Adored,” “She Bangs the Drums” and “Fools Gold,” the latter becoming a defining anthem of the era. The band’s impact extended well beyond chart success, shaping the direction of British guitar music throughout the 1990s and influencing generations of artists.
Following the Stone Roses’ initial split in 1996, Mani joined Primal Scream, becoming a long-standing member of the band and contributing to albums including XTRMNTR and Evil Heat. His tenure coincided with Primal Scream’s heavier, more politically charged period, and he toured extensively worldwide before reuniting with the Stone Roses for their highly anticipated comeback shows between 2012 and 2017. Across both bands, Mani built a reputation as a technically distinctive bassist and a central figure in British alternative music, leaving a lasting legacy within Manchester’s cultural history and beyond.
