Today, the music world wakes up to heartbreaking news.
An unmistakable bassline has fallen silent.
A Manchester icon… a Madchester pioneer… a man whose groove shaped an entire generation… has left us forever.
Gary “Mani” Mounfield, the beloved bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, passed away on the twentieth of November, two thousand twenty-five, only days after celebrating his sixty-third birthday. His death comes just two years after the loss of his wife, Imelda — a tragedy that left fans and friends devastated.
The news of his sudden passing has sent shockwaves through Manchester, the United Kingdom, and the global music community. Tributes began pouring in instantly… from fellow musicians… from fans… from those who grew up on the anthems Mani helped create.
The world has lost more than a musician.
It has lost a heartbeat — one that pulsed through the very soul of British alternative rock.
BIOGRAPHY
Gary “Mani” Mounfield was born on the sixteenth of November, nineteen sixty-two, in Crumpsall, Manchester. Raised in a working-class environment, Mani grew up surrounded by the sounds of the city — the hum of the streets, the rhythm of youth culture, the heartbeat of a generation preparing to redefine music forever.
He attended Xaverian College in Rusholme, where his love for music started quietly but burned fiercely. While his school days were not long—leaving at sixteen—his dreams ran far beyond any classroom. He developed a love for darts, a passion he would carry alongside his music career for decades.
By the late nineteen-eighties, Mani’s destiny was sealed.
Manchester was erupting with creativity, chaos, and culture — the era that would soon be known as Madchester. And Mani would become one of its most important figures.
THE RISE WITH THE STONE ROSES
In nineteen eighty-seven, Mani joined The Stone Roses, a decision that would forever change the landscape of British music. With Ian Brown, John Squire, and Reni, Mani completed a lineup that would become mythical.
His basslines were not just rhythm — they were the foundation of an entire movement. Warm… melodic… hypnotic… the backbone of songs that millions still sing today.
He played on both of the band’s studio albums, including the self-titled debut — widely regarded as one of the greatest British albums ever recorded.
Onstage, Mani was electric.
Offstage, he was the most loved member of the band — funny, kind, approachable, and deeply loyal. Even during the band’s split, he was considered the one most open to reunion dreams.
His use of the paint-splattered Rickenbacker bass, inspired by Jackson Pollock, became iconic — a visual symbol of the Roses’ creative rebellion.
PRIMAL SCREAM — A NEW ERA
After The Stone Roses disbanded in the mid-nineteen-nineties, Mani found a new home — and a new musical family — with Primal Scream.
From dance-rock to psychedelia to raw rock-and-roll, Mani adapted effortlessly.
His contribution to Primal Scream helped define albums, tours, and the sound of an entire era of British underground rock.
He once said that Primal Scream was one of the only three bands he’d ever join. The others? Oasis and The Jesus and Mary Chain. That was the kind of musician he was — selective, passionate, loyal to the sound he believed in.
Through the two thousands, Mani’s career flourished — DJ sets, touring with Ocean Colour Scene, guest appearances, collaborations. He remained one of the busiest and most respected figures in the scene.
In two thousand eleven, in a moment fans had dreamed of for years, Mani announced he was leaving Primal Scream… to reform The Stone Roses.
Manchester rejoiced.
Music history repeated itself.
And Mani returned to the band that made him a legend.
OTHER WORK & APPEARANCES
Mani’s career was rich and diverse:
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He had a guest role in the film Twenty-Four Hour Party People, a tribute to the Manchester scene he helped shape.
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He joined a supergroup, Freebass, alongside Andy Rourke of The Smiths and Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order — three bass icons in one project.
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He performed at the Manchester Versus Cancer event, showing his commitment to charitable causes.
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He appeared as a celebrity guest at the World Darts Championship — a nod to his lifelong love of darts.
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He remained a beloved figure across festivals, TV appearances, and charity gigs.
Wherever he went, Mani was greeted with love.
PERSONAL LIFE
Away from the stage, Mani was a devoted husband, father, and proud Mancunian.
During the long and intense recording of Second Coming, he met the love of his life — Imelda. The two married and welcomed twin sons, the joy of their lives.
He supported Manchester United but often joked that he was “Mancunian Irish,” raised to support Ireland passionately.
In November two thousand twenty-three, heartbreak struck when Imelda passed away from cancer. Mani was devastated, yet he channeled his grief into supporting cancer charities and helping families facing similar battles.
He lived for more than three decades in Heaton Moor, Stockport, where neighbors knew him simply as “Mani,” the friendly local legend.
In two thousand nineteen, he received the Made of Athy Award in his mother’s hometown in County Kildare — a moment of pride and heritage.
CAUSE OF DEATH
Gary “Mani” Mounfield’s passing was sudden and tragic.
On the morning of the twentieth of November, two thousand twenty-five, Mani collapsed at his home in Heaton Moor. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but despite all efforts, he could not be revived.
His brother Greg confirmed his passing publicly, sharing emotional words and expressing that Mani is now reunited with his beloved wife, Imelda.
His death shocked the music world — coming so soon after the loss of Imelda, and at a time when fans hoped to see him return to public life.
AWARDS
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Muso Awards – Best Bass Guitar, two thousand five
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Muso Awards – Muso’s Muso, two thousand five (with Primal Scream)
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NME Godlike Genius, two thousand seven (with Primal Scream)
LEGACY AND IMPACT
Gary “Mani” Mounfield’s legacy can only be described as monumental.
His basslines were more than notes — they were movement, momentum, soul.
His playing defined the sound of Madchester.
His influence shaped countless musicians across rock, indie, and dance-rock genres.
Mani had the rare ability to make a song feel alive.
He was the pulse beneath the melody.
The heartbeat behind the anthem.
His kindness, warmth, and down-to-earth spirit made him not only a respected musician, but a deeply loved human being.
Manchester lost a hero.
Britain lost a music pioneer.
The world lost a gentle, generous soul.
But his music — the songs he crafted, the basslines he gave life to — will echo forever.
NET WORTH
Exact figures were never publicly confirmed, but estimates place Mani’s net worth in the one to three million dollar range, based on decades of touring, royalties, reunion performances, and collaborations.
He lived a modest, grounded life — one defined more by love, music, and family than financial luxury.
EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE ENDING
And so today… we say goodbye to Gary “Mani” Mounfield.
A man who helped score the soundtrack of youth.
A man whose basslines made the world move.
A man whose smile lit up stages and hearts.
A man who survived tragedy, shared love, and gave music everything he had.
His legacy is carved into the walls of Manchester.
Into the soul of British rock.
Into every fan who felt the earth shake beneath a Mani bassline.
Though his voice has quieted, his rhythm will never fade.
He walks now with Imelda.
He rests now in peace.
But his music — his spirit — lives on forever.
Rest easy, Mani.
Thank you for everything.
TOP FACTS ABOUT MANI
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Born sixteenth November nineteen sixty-two in Manchester.
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Joined The Stone Roses in nineteen eighty-seven.
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Played on both Stone Roses albums.
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Longtime member of Primal Scream.
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Part of the supergroup Freebass.
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Lifelong darts enthusiast.
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Appeared in Twenty-Four Hour Party People.
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Raised funds for cancer charities after Imelda’s diagnosis.
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Collapsed and passed away at home in November two thousand twenty-five.
