The Australian music community and fans worldwide are mourning the tragic loss of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the legendary bassist for Manchester icons The Stone Roses, who has died at age 63.
Heartbreaking Announcement from Family
The devastating news was confirmed by Mounfield's brother, Greg, who shared a heartfelt statement on social media platform Facebook this Thursday. "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother," Greg wrote in an emotional post that has since drawn an outpouring of grief from across the globe.
In a poignant addition to his original announcement, Greg revealed that Mani has now been "reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda." This touching sentiment references the profound loss Mounfield experienced just two years earlier when his wife Imelda passed away in November 2023 after a three-year battle with bowel cancer.
Music World Pays Tribute to a Legend
Since the news broke, tributes have been flooding in from across the music industry, with Oasis frontman and fellow Manchester icon Liam Gallagher leading the heartfelt messages. "In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani. My hero, RIP R Kid. LG," the singer shared on X, capturing the sentiment of countless fans and fellow musicians.
Mounfield's own bandmates from The Stone Roses also paid emotional tribute to their friend and collaborator, remembering him as a "wonderful brother" and "the greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for." The band shared their message alongside a nostalgic throwback photo, highlighting the deep bonds formed during their influential career.
A Lasting Musical Legacy
As the bassist for The Stone Roses, Mounfield helped define the sound of the indie music scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band's self-titled debut album featured timeless classics including I Wanna Be Adored, She Bangs The Drums and I Am The Resurrection, all powered by the distinctive grooves of Mani's innovative basslines.
Following The Stone Roses' initial split in 1996, which was attributed to "musical differences," Mounfield continued to make significant contributions to British music by joining another seminal group, Primal Scream. His 15-year tenure with the band saw him record four albums, including the critically acclaimed electro-punk masterpiece XTRMNTR in 2000, followed by Evil Heat (2002), Riot City Blues (2006) and Beautiful Future (2008).
The classic Stone Roses lineup, featuring Mounfield alongside Ian Brown on vocals, John Squire on guitar and Alan "Reni" Wren on drums, reunited in 2011 for a major comeback tour that extended through 2013. The band later recorded new material, releasing the comeback singles All For One and Beautiful Thing in 2016, before performing what would become their final concerts as the original lineup in 2017.
Beyond his musical achievements, Mounfield's personal life reflected deep commitment and love. He first met his wife Imelda during the 13-month recording session for The Stone Roses' second album, Second Coming, at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales. The couple welcomed twin sons in 2013, creating a family bond that remained central to Mounfield's life throughout his career.
As fans and the music community come to terms with this significant loss, the words of Stone Roses lead singer Ian Brown from the band's final performances seem particularly resonant: "Don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened." Gary 'Mani' Mounfield's legacy as one of Britain's most influential bass players will undoubtedly continue to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers alike.
