Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield dead: Liam Gallagher and Ian Brown lead tributes to Stone Roses icon
The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, Mani, has passed away at the age of 63. Tributes have been pouring in for the beloved musician.
The news was shared via Facebook by his brother, Greg. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother Gary Mani Mounfield. RIP RKID,” he wrote online.
The death is unexpected, given that only last week, Mounfield had announced details of an in-conversation tour that was set to take him around the UK in 2026.
Tragically, in 2023, Mounfield’s wife, Imelda, died following a lengthy battle with bowel cancer. The couple had twins together who were born in 2013.
Mounfield joined The Stone Roses in 1987 and played on all of their recorded work. The iconic band made their comeback in 2012, and took to the stage again in 2016, during which they displayed their first new material in two decades. They played their final performance together in 2017.
Since news broke of his passing, tributes from far and wide across the music industry have been pouring in.
Leading the tributes was Mani’s former band, The Stone Roses, who shared on social media, “RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for. X”.
English musician and lead singer of The Charlatans, Tim Burgess, also honoured Mani. Following up with the same photo he had shared on X only five days prior to his death, Burgess wrote, “I shared this photo a week or so ago on Mani’s birthday – It never failed to bring a smile to my face – and that was exactly the same for the man himself.”
He rounded out the tribute, “One of the absolute best in every way – such a beautiful friend Love you Mani x x Never to be forgotten.”
The Stone Roses lead singer, Ian Brown, also paid tribute to his bassist. He kept the post short but sweet, writing simply, “REST IN PEACE MANI X”.
British singer Rowetta, known for her work with the Happy Mondays, has also shared a moving post about the musician. “Back with your Imelda, Mani. Going to miss you so much,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of the pair. “All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him,” she finished.
Mounfield’s nephew also posted a heart-breaking tribute on X, writing, “Unfortunately with sad news my uncle Gary Mani Mounfield from the stone roses has sadly passed away today. Thinking of his twins and my uncle Greg at this sad time. He will be reunited in heaven with his lovely wife Imelda RIP Manni Your annoying nephew.”
Liverpudlian rock band Echo and the Bunnymen joined in on the online discourse. Ian McClulloch wrote on X, “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 Mac Bunnyman.”
Shaun Ryder also shared a photo of the pair of friends laughing. He wrote, “RIP Mani – my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family.”
Oasis legend Liam Gallagher added his own tribute to the mix, writing on X: “In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani my hero RIP RKID LG.” Oasis drummer Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs followed suit, writing, “RIP Mani. X”.
Johnny Marr, who was a close friend of Mani, simply shared an image of the bassist alongside a heart emoji. His former band, The Cribs, also shared an image of them with Mani and Marr at an awards show, describing him as “so funny” and a “really nice guy”.
Peter Hook shared on X: “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” In response, Ian Brown told the former Joy Division bassist, “He loved you mate. First as a fan and he loved to call you his friend. What a lad X”
Also sharing a tribute on X, Reverend and The Makers frontman Jon McClure shared a photo of Mani pulling a goofy face, along with the words, “My heart is broken. Found out this morning and just felt low as it gets all day. Mani was my musical hero and just a lovely genuine human. When my Dad died , he offered me the warmest and best advice.”
The tribute continued, “No fuss, privately, straight up and always available to everyone. I’m a bit ill myself at the minute and not ashamed to say I shed at tear at the news. See on the next one mate. A true legend of the game.”
Kasabian have also added their tribute to X, writing, “Sad and shocked to hear the news. RIP Mani. Beautiful man, Manchester Icon, a huge talent with huge heart and one of our first industry supporters as a band. You will be missed massively.”
Additionally, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, described the musician as a “warm, engaging, and incredible person” in an interview with ITV.
He added thoughtfully: “It’s like a punch to a stomach… He’s such a character and it’s so hard to get my head around the shock of him not being with us, but he will forever be a Manchester legend and a member of in my view the greatest band in my lifetime.”
Mounfield’s beloved football club, Manchester United, who play The Stone Roses’ ‘This Is The One’ before games, have also honoured the musician, writing on social media, “A Manchester music icon and a passionate, lifelong Red. Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.”
No cause of death has been revealed.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Music Newsletter
All the latest music news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.