One of the most celebrated heroes of the British rock scene has passed away, leaving a profound sense of loss resonating throughout the music community.
Gary “Mani” Mounfield — the legendary bassist who provided the driving force behind both The Stone Roses and Primal Scream — has died at the age of 63.
The cause of his death has not yet been revealed.
I became a fan of The Stone Roses the very first time their music reached my ears — and Mani was a significant reason for that. He wasn’t merely a bassist; he was one of the most genuinely endearing personalities in the music industry.
He infused The Stone Roses with their distinctive groove and brought so much warmth and passion to everything he played. His sound defined the soundtrack for countless young people, and his impact resonated through numerous bands that came after.
The news of Mani’s passing was announced by his brother Greg on Facebook, on Thursday (November 20).
In his post, he expressed: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother Gary Mani Mounfield. RIP RKID.” He later added in the comments: “Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda.”
No information has been provided regarding the cause of death.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, emergency services responded to a private home in Heaton Moor, Stockport, on Thursday morning. This residence was identified as belonging to Mounfield.
A nearby resident mentioned that Mounfield generally “kept to himself,” adding: “I only saw him occasionally and would sometimes pick up a parcel for him. I don’t know anyone on this street who was close to him. He mostly kept to himself and his family.”
Another neighbor, who noticed the ambulance outside, shared: “I walked by around 11am. I saw two ambulances parked outside. I didn’t get a chance to find out what was going on because all the staff were inside.
“They were there for quite some time, but I can’t recall when they left. He was always a quiet neighbor; I didn’t know him well or have much interaction with him. I knew he lived nearby, but we weren’t part of the same social circles.”
A significant moment for the band
Ian Brown, the frontman of Stone Roses, also acknowledged the loss by posting a brief tribute on X that stated: “REST IN PEACE MANI X.”
Mounfield, who was born and raised in Crumpsall, Manchester, joined The Stone Roses in 1987 after previously being part of the competing band The Waterfront. He stayed with the Roses until their breakup in 1996.
After the split, he became a full-time member of Primal Scream, quickly developing a strong friendship with guitarist Robert “Throb” Young. The duo even made a notable appearance together on the Scottish TV program Trout ‘n’ About in 2004.
Mounfield’s entry into The Stone Roses is frequently regarded as a pivotal moment for the band, a change that fans and critics have often highlighted.
In a conversation with Uncut in 2006, he referred to Primal Scream as “mostly a democracy,” while noting that in The Stone Roses, they often found themselves “looking over our shoulder to see if Ian and John [Squire] were satisfied.
“Since they were the ones writing the songs and being compared to the likes of Lennon-McCartney and Jagger-Richards. For me now, there’s significantly more freedom. Primal Scream are just as adept at detecting bulls*** as the Stone Roses ever were.”
He later rejoined Ian Brown, John Squire, and Alan “Reni” Wren for The Stone Roses’ reunion shows from 2011 to 2017.
Beyond music, Mounfield had a deep passion for fishing — a hobby he picked up as a child while exploring the canals of Manchester.
In a 2008 interview with The Guardian, he reminisced about witnessing wildlife like otters and kingfishers, but also less pleasant sights, such as “people shagging in bushes” and “smackheads on the prowl at night, looking to rob houses.”
Mani also developed a strong interest in darts, a sport he continued to support throughout his life.
His passing occurs nearly two years after his wife, Imelda Mounfield, succumbed to cancer in November 2023. Together, they raised money for cancer charities by organizing memorabilia auctions featuring items from friends like Oasis members and David Beckham. The couple had twin sons, Gene Clarke and George Christopher, who were born in 2012.
Mounfield had recently revealed plans for a nationwide conversation tour scheduled for September 2026, where he aimed to reflect on his four decades in the music industry.
Liam Gallagher, who has often credited The Stone Roses as his inspiration for forming his band Oasis, expressed: “IN TOTAL SHOCK AND ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED ON HEARING THE NEWS ABOUT MANI MY HERO RIP RKID LG.”
Shaun Ryder from The Happy Mondays also extended his sympathies: “RIP Mani, my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family.”
Rest in peace, Mani. We are grateful for the happiness your music brings us and the memories we will cherish for a lifetime!
