The music world is mourning the loss of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the charismatic bassist whose powerful lines propelled the Stone Roses to become one of Britain's most influential bands. He has died at the age of 63.
The Architect of the Madchester Sound
When the Stone Roses released their eponymous debut album in May 1989, it instantly became a benchmark record. It masterfully blended 1960s-inspired melodies with the explosive energy of the UK's burgeoning rave culture. While John Squire provided the jangling guitar, it was Mani's hard-edged bass that provided the rocket fuel for anthems like She Bangs the Drums and This Is the One. The very first sound on the album is his bass, emerging tantalisingly from the sonic fog at the start of I Wanna Be Adored.
This potent mixture was instrumental in redefining the band's hometown, leading to the birth of the 'Madchester' scene. The crossover between club culture and indie music, centred around legendary venues like the Hacienda, made the city feel 'baggydelic' and utterly transformed.
The album received a tsunami of critical acclaim. Its legacy was cemented when, in 1997, an HMV poll judged it the second-best album of all time, beaten only by The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Rolling Stone later declared that it "single-handedly launched 90s Britpop".
A Musical Journey: From Manchester Pubs to Stadiums
Mani's impact on the Stone Roses was immediate. Singer Ian Brown noted that when Mani joined in 1987, the band's groove transformed "almost overnight". Born in the Manchester suburb of Crumpsall, Mani was immersed in the city's fertile music scene from the early 1980s, initially playing guitar in bands like the Fireside Chaps with Squire.
After the success of their first album and era-defining gigs like the one at Spike Island, the band's progress was stalled by legal battles with their record label. Their second album, Second Coming, finally arrived in December 1994, yielding their biggest UK hit single, Love Spreads, which reached number two.
Following the band's dissolution in 1996, Mani brought his immense talent to Primal Scream. His arrival injected vital creative energy into the group, who had been considering splitting up. He became a significant songwriting contributor, co-writing hits like Kowalski and Country Girl, the latter reaching number five in the UK in 2006.
Reunion and Legacy
Mani left Primal Scream in 2011 to participate in a long-awaited Stone Roses reunion. The reconciliation was reportedly prompted by a meeting with Ian Brown and John Squire at his mother's funeral that same year. The band went on to play a series of huge comeback shows, including a final performance at Hampden Park in Glasgow in June 2017.
Mani met his future wife, Imelda, during the recording sessions for Second Coming. She tragically died from cancer in 2023. Gary 'Mani' Mounfield died after collapsing at his home in Stockport. He is survived by his twin sons, Gene and George, his brother Greg, and half-brother Steve.
