Goodbye to Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream

Music news

Goodbye to Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream

Gary Mounfield, better known as Mani, has died at the age of 63. His brother Greg announced Mani’s death in a Facebook post, without revealing the cause of death: “Rest in peace, RKID.”

He achieved iconic status as a key bassist of the Madchester movement, during his time in The Stone Roses, and of late Britpop, with Primal Scream. The bass lines of songs like ‘I Wanna Be Adored’, ‘She Bangs The Drums’ or ‘Fools Gold’, his fun attitude and a life totally dedicated to music helped Mani earn a place in the hearts of all fans. And in that of his professional colleagues.

Ian Brown, singer in the Stone Roses and Mani’s partner, said goodbye to him in X with a “Rest in peace.” Tim Burgess, of The Charlatans, has described him as “one of the best in every way” and Liam Gallagher, on the other hand, has admitted to feeling “shocked”: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Mani, my hero.”

Originally from Crumpsall, Manchester, Mani began his career in the ranks of The Stone Roses, participating in the band’s only two albums until it dissolved in 1996. The first of these, self-titled, is still considered one of the most important albums for the origin of later Britpop and one of the best in history. That same year, Mani joined Primal Scream and remained in Bobby Gillespe’s band until 2011, at which time he left for The Stone Roses reunion.

Recently, Mounfield had announced a lecture tour of the United Kingdom that would have taken place from September 2026 to June 2027. The objective was to review key moments in his career, such as his first band’s legendary concert on Spike Island or his comeback tour.

Avatar photo
Simon Müller

Simon Müller is the driving force behind UMusic, embodying a lifelong passion for all things melodious. Born and raised in New York, his love for music took form at an early age and fueled his journey from an avid music enthusiast to the founder of a leading music-centered website. Simon's diverse musical tastes and intrinsic understanding of acoustic elements offer a unique perspective to the UMusic community. Sporting a dedicated commitment to aural enrichment and hearing health, his vision extends beyond just delivering news - he aspires to create a network of informed, appreciative music lovers. Spend a moment in Mueller's company, and you'd find his passion infectious – music isn’t simply his job, it’s his heartbeat.