The music world is mourning the loss of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the charismatic bassist whose powerful lines propelled The Stone Roses to legendary status and who later enjoyed success with Primal Scream. He has died at the age of 63.
The Sound That Defined Madchester
Mani's contribution to British music cannot be overstated. When he joined The Stone Roses in 1987, the band's sound transformed almost overnight. The singer Ian Brown noted that it became a 'totally different groove', with everything falling into place upon Mani's arrival.
His bass work was the secret weapon on the band's seminal 1989 debut album. It was Mani's bass that emerges from the sonic fog on the iconic opening track, I Wanna Be Adored, setting the tone for a record that would change British music. His hard-edged, driving rhythms provided the rocket fuel for anthems like She Bangs the Drums and This Is the One.
The album's unique blend of 60s-inspired melodies and rave culture energy helped redefine Manchester as 'Madchester'. Author John Robb observed that The Stone Roses 'grabbed British indie music from the doldrums and made it colourful and sexy' at a time when most credible bands were dour and soulless.
From Manchester Beginnings to Lasting Legacy
Born in the Manchester suburb of Crumpsall, Mani was immersed in the city's fertile music scene from the early 1980s. He initially played guitar in bands including the Fireside Chaps with future Stone Roses guitarist John Squire.
After several lineup changes, Mani officially joined The Stone Roses in November 1987, making his stage debut that month. The band's success skyrocketed with their debut album, which earned rave reviews and has been consistently hailed as one of the greatest British albums ever made.
Despite the success, the band faced challenges including legal battles with their record label. Their second album, Second Coming, finally emerged in December 1994 after a five-and-a-half year gap. While it may have been an anticlimax for some, it produced their biggest UK hit single when Love Spreads reached number two.
Life After The Roses and Lasting Influence
When The Stone Roses dissolved in 1996, Mani didn't slow down. He immediately joined Primal Scream, another band embracing dance and club culture. His arrival provided a vital creative shot to the group, who had been considering splitting up before he joined.
During his 15-year tenure with Primal Scream, he recorded five albums and became a significant songwriting contributor. He co-wrote hits including Kowalski and Country Girl, the latter becoming the group's highest-charting UK single when it reached number five in 2006.
Mani also participated in the side-project Freebass, featuring three legendary bass players: himself, Peter Hook of New Order, and Andy Rourke from The Smiths. The project released several EPs and the album It's a Beautiful Life in 2010.
In 2011, Mani left Primal Scream to participate in The Stone Roses reunion, which was apparently prompted by a meeting with Ian Brown and John Squire at his mother's funeral. The band played numerous large-scale dates between 2012 and 2017, with their final concert at Hampden Park in Glasgow in June 2017.
Mani is survived by his twin sons, Gene and George, his brother Greg, and half-brother Steve. His wife, Imelda, whom he met during sessions for Second Coming, died from cancer in 2023.
