Gary “Mani” Mounfield, the 61-year-old bassist best known for his work with The Stone Roses, died peacefully in his sleep on November 20 from respiratory issues tied to a long-standing lung condition, family members and local reports say.
- Age: 61
- Date found: Morning of November 20; paramedics attended his Greater Manchester home
- Cause: Respiratory issues linked to emphysema
- Family: Survived by twin sons Gene and George; wife Imelda died in 2023
- Funeral: Scheduled for Monday, December 22
- Career: Bassist for The Stone Roses and later Primal Scream; announced a national speaking tour before his death
Reports from the Manchester Evening News and statements from family confirm that Mounfield was not taken to hospital and his death was declared at the scene; Greater Manchester Police said the incident is non-suspicious.
The Legacy
Gary “Mani” Mounfield was a defining voice in British rock. As the low-end architect behind The Stone Roses, his melodic, driving basslines helped propel the band into the center of the late-1980s “Madchester” movement. Key achievements include:
- Classic songs: “I Wanna Be Adored,” “She Bangs The Drums,” “I Am The Resurrection” — all highlighted by Mani’s distinctive bass work.
- Albums: The Stone Roses (1989) and Second Coming (1994), both U.K. top-five records that cemented the band’s influence.
- Later career: Joined Primal Scream in 1996 and played with them for about 15 years, broadening his impact across rock and dance-punk scenes.
Social Proof & Reactions
Tributes poured in from bandmates, peers and fans across social media and in Manchester. Colleagues remembered Mani for his signature sound, his presence onstage and his role in shaping a generation of British indie rock. Local outlets and fan communities highlighted his recent personal losses — including the death of his wife Imelda in 2023 — and mourned the passing of a musician who remained active and engaged with fans, having announced a national speaking tour shortly before his death.
Family statements and the Manchester Evening News provided the primary details about cause and circumstances, while friends and musicians publicly shared condolences and memories of his performances, basslines and friendship. Funeral arrangements are planned for December 22, with many expected to gather to celebrate his life and influence on modern British music.
Mani’s contribution to the sound of The Stone Roses and his later work with Primal Scream leave a clear legacy: bass playing that was melodic, propulsive and central to songs that remain touchstones of British rock.
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