Yesterday there was the sudden passing of Gary “Mani” Mounfield at 63, former bassist of The Stone Roses. The news led to a wave of tributes in the global press (and across social media) for the affable, always loveable, and brilliant bass player.
Mani’s Madchester Grooves Lifted a Generation
Mani joined The Stone Roses in 1987. He was Manchester through and through, born in Crumpsall north of the city centre. Playing in local bands on the bass, his opportunity to join the band came when original Roses bassist Pete Garner left the group.
Mani swooped in and, alongside the spectacularly gifted drummer Reni, they formed easily the best rhythm section of their generation.
For a band notoriously difficult with the press, and distant PR and any sort of public announcements (not even officially announcing they’d disbanded again in 2017), Mani stood out. He was always chatty and just got on with everyone. We never did see him out and about in Manchester, but lots of people online attest to spotting him and just having a chat with the guy.
For 2026, he was planning a series of talks where he discussed his musical career. He announced the tour last week, highlighting how sudden his death is.
There was a massive outpouring of love for the guy. BBC North West opening the evening’s news with the story. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham offered a tribute, he was at the legendary Blackpool Empress Ballroom gig in 1989.
Mani joined just as the band’s musical style changed significantly, which laid the groundwork for the band’s classic eponymous debut (The Stone Roses) in 1989. It’s now considered one of the best albums ever.
It’s his bass that opens the album from the 37 mark, riding in over the top of I Wanna Be Adored as the song gradually stires into life. After that, there’s a lot of brilliance in his work:
- She Bangs the Drums
- Elephant Stone
- Made of Stone
- Shoot You Down
- Fools Gold
Our favourite of his is the iconic bassline to Fools Gold. Funky as all hell, instantly memorable, and locking in (with Reni) to unlock the band’s core strength. How they made music integral to the Madchester dance music scene, merging acid house with classic rock.
Across 1989, The Stone Roses went from cult favourites to the biggest group of the moment. Into 1990 they were massive, tipped to take over the world.
Then warring studio interference derailed the momentum, blocking the band from performing live for two years, and from recording new material. A second album did follow in 1994, but they disbanded in 1996 in acrimonious fashion.
However! Mani always pushed for the group to reform. He was with Primal Scream during that time, but kept hassling the others to get back together.
When his mother died in 2010, the band members spent some time together again (for the first time in 15 years). That led to the largely successful reformation years from 2011-2017. And we got to see them live, most notably at Heaton Park in June 2012.
By all accounts a great guy, regularly foul-mouthed in the most casual fashion imaginable, and with a great sense of humour. That’s how we’ll remember him.
That and his awesome bass playing. A massive asset to any band, with ingenious licks and bags of groove to spare, getting a generation to stand up and dance, groove, and be melodic in the sweaty late ’80s nightclubs of Manchester.
