Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the influential bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, was laid to rest on December 22, 2025, at Manchester Cathedral following his death from respiratory issues linked to emphysema. Bandmates and celebrities including Liam Gallagher, Ian Brown, and David Beckham gathered to pay tribute to the 63-year-old musician. Emotional speeches highlighted Mani's humor, camaraderie, and lasting impact on the Manchester music scene.
Gary 'Mani' Mounfield passed away on November 20, 2025, at the age of 63, peacefully in his sleep at his home in Heaton Moor, Greater Manchester. His family confirmed the cause as respiratory issues connected to the lung condition emphysema. The funeral service took place on December 22 at Manchester Cathedral, drawing a crowd of music legends and sports figures from Manchester's cultural heritage.
Attendees included Stone Roses members Ian Brown, John Squire, and Reni; Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie; Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher; Paul Weller, Guy Garvey, Peter Hook, Tim Burgess, Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs, Mike Joyce, and Bez from Happy Mondays. Manchester United icons David Beckham and Gary Neville also joined, reflecting Mani's passion for the club.
Mani's coffin, wrapped in a multicolored print mimicking the cover of The Stone Roses' 1989 debut album, was carried out by Liam Gallagher, Reni, and John Squire at the service's end. Fans outside wore Stone Roses merchandise, underscoring the band's enduring legacy.
Ian Brown, speaking at the ceremony, described Mani as 'like a brother to me, a musical comrade. Beautiful soul and spirit. Mani was able to laugh his way through any darkness. He was the life and soul of any room he was in.' He proposed a campaign for a 50-foot gold statue of Mani in Manchester, drawing applause, and added, 'Mani wouldn’t want us to be broken-hearted, but we are.'
Bobby Gillespie paid tribute, saying, 'Mani’s warm and welcoming manner, treating me like an equal, made me feel like a million dollars, and I’ll never forget that. No one was too important to escape his laser-eye ability to cut the pretentious and self-important down to size, myself included.' He continued, 'His ability to make laughter out of any situation was our great value wherever we were in the world,' and concluded, 'Mani’s not dead, he’s just gone. He will always live forever in my soul and mind,' likening him to Manchester United legend Eric Cantona.
Bez told reporters Mani would be 'truly missed' and was 'a proper one of the boys, everyone loved him,' emphasizing their shared Manchester history.
Mani's career began in the early 1980s with the Fireside Chaps in Greater Manchester, evolving into The Stone Roses, who played their first gig in October 1984. He remained with the band through their 1996 split and 2017 reunion, while serving as a full-time Primal Scream member until 2011. Tributes following his death included Oasis performing 'Live Forever,' Richard Ashcroft covering 'She Bangs The Drums,' and My Bloody Valentine dedicating their tour to him. Tim Burgess called him 'one of the greats,' recalling their long-shared scenes.
