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Mani (musician)

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Gary Mounfield
Mani in 2009
Mani in 2009
Background information
Also known asMani
Born(1962-11-16)16 November 1962
Crumpsall, Manchester, England
Died20 November 2025(2025-11-20) (aged 63)
Heaton Moor, Stockport, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • DJ
InstrumentBass guitar
Years active1987–2025
Labels
Formerly of
Spouse
Imelda Mounfield
​
(died 2023)​

Gary Mounfield (16 November 1962 – 20 November 2025), known professionally as Mani, was an English bassist, best known for being a member of the rock bands the Stone Roses and Primal Scream.

Mani joined the Stone Roses in 1987 and played on both their albums before the group disbanded in 1996. Later that year, he became the full-time bassist for Primal Scream, performing on five consecutive albums from Vanishing Point (1997) to Beautiful Future (2008). He left Primal Scream in 2011 to participate in the Stone Roses' reunion; the Stone Roses broke up for a second time in 2017.

Early life

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Gary Mounfield was born on 16 November 1962, in Crumpsall.[1] His father was Colin Mounfield, a chef for the Manchester United football team.[2] His mother was Irish, Anne Patricia Farrell from Athy in South Kildare.[3] He attended Xaverian College in Rusholme, Manchester.[4] He developed an interest in darts, a sport he went on to champion throughout his career.[5]

Career

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Mounfield left school aged sixteen in 1979. In 1984–1985 he briefly played with Clint Boon in a band that called themselves The Mill.[6] Along with John Squire, he was in the original line-up on guitar in a band called The Waterfront that didn't perform live but did record two tracks that were eventually released in 2018.[7] He joined the Stone Roses in 1987 which were part of the "Madchester" music scene. Playing on both of the band's studio albums, Mounfield was in the Stone Roses until they disbanded in 1996. Mounfield used a Rickenbacker 4005 Jackson Pollock-influenced paint-splattered bass guitar in the period after the Stone Roses debut studio album.[8] He joined Primal Scream after the Stone Roses disbanded. He claimed that Primal Scream were one of three other bands that he would be willing to join; the Jesus and Mary Chain and Oasis being the others.[9] In 2003, with Damon Minchella having left Ocean Colour Scene (OCS), he toured with the band supporting the Stereophonics.[10]

Mounfield performing with Primal Scream in 2009

Mounfield was often viewed as the most amiable member of the Roses, both while the band were still together and after their break-up. After the Stone Roses split up, there had been frequent speculation that they might reform. Mounfield, a lifelong Manchester United fan,[11] joked that the band would reform after "Manchester City won the European Cup".[12] He was also viewed as the most likely member to be up for a Roses reunion. During the band's split, he occasionally joined their lead vocalist Ian Brown on stage for renditions of songs by the Stone Roses ("Waterfall", "Made of Stone", "I Am the Resurrection"),[13][14] as happened in 2008 at Summercase Festival (in Madrid and Barcelona), when both Primal Scream and Brown were playing on the same day. Mounfield played bass on some demos for ex-Stone Roses drummer Reni[15] and there were further rumours of the group reforming in 2005 when the two were interviewed for the Manchester Music show on BBC GMR whilst attending a gig in Manchester.[16] Mounfield toured with the Enemy on their UK tour.[17]

Mounfield had a guest role in the biographical comedy drama film 24 Hour Party People (2002).[18] He was in a supergroup band called Freebass with bassists Andy Rourke (formerly of the Smiths) and Peter Hook (Joy Division and New Order).[19] Freebass disbanded before releasing their debut studio album It's a Beautiful Life in 2010.[20] He appeared at the "Manchester Versus Cancer" event on 30 March 2007, performing a DJ set and appearing with Ian Brown for the finale, the Stone Roses' "I Am the Resurrection".[21]

Mani left Primal Scream for the Stone Roses 2012 reunion.[22] He continued as a full-time Primal Scream member until his last appearance with them at Edinburgh's Hogmanay on 31 December 2011.[23]

Personal life and death

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Mani accepts his Made of Athy Award in 2019

Mani met his wife Imelda during the 13 months of recording sessions for the Stone Roses' 1994 album, Second Coming, at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales.[24] They were married until her death from bowel cancer in November 2023. The couple had twin sons.[25]

Mounfield was a supporter of Manchester United and appeared on Sky One's programme Football Years.[26] He also revealed on Play UK programme Nu Music that although he supported Manchester United in England, he was Mancunian Irish and was brought up to support Ireland.[27] In 2019, Mani accepted the Made of Athy Award from his mother's hometown in Athy, County Kildare.[28]

Mounfield died aged 63 on 20 November 2025, having passed away in his sleep due to respiratory issues caused by long-standing emphysema.[29] His death was announced later that day by his brother.[30][31] He had lived in Heaton Moor, Stockport, since 1991.[32]

Awards

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Year Award
2007 NME Awards – Godlike Genius Award (as part of Primal Scream)[33]

References

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  1. ^ Larkin, Colin. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press, 2011. p. 1994
  2. ^ Owens, David (7 July 2013). "'My secret Stone Roses half-brother': Welshman's search for dad unearths shock rock star link". WalesOnline. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  3. ^ Blowes, Richard. "Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist Mani dies at 63". Blowtorch Records. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  4. ^ Britton, Paul (22 November 2025). "The making of a star - Mani's childhood and teenage years". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  5. ^ Gilbert, Pat (21 November 2025). "Mani Remembered: "A truly great human being."". MOJO. Retrieved 25 November 2025.
  6. ^ Bray, Elisa (16 April 2007). "Clint Boon: My Life In Media". The Independent. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  7. ^ Britton, Paul (6 March 2018). "Stone Roses Record Store Day: The Waterfront recordings from John Squire and Mani to get release". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  8. ^ Rowley, Scott (27 March 2023). "The Stones Roses, Primal Scream and bass playing: A rare interview with Mani". Yahoo!. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  9. ^ "Mani (Primal Scream) Interview". YouTube. 13 July 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2011.[dead YouTube link]
  10. ^ "Mani's new scene!". NME. 10 December 2003. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  11. ^ Abbit, Beth (13 April 2016). "Mani's planning to wear a controversial top on stage at Stone Roses Etihad gigs this summer". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  12. ^ "The Happy Mondays roll back the years". NME. 26 March 2005. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  13. ^ "Roses return. Ian Brown and Mani play together onstage..." NME. 25 March 2005. Archived from the original on 2 January 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  14. ^ "Mani joins Brown on stage". NME. 27 June 2005. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  15. ^ "Primal Scream - the second coming? Primals Scream's bassist says he's ready to work again with the former Stone Roses singer in our exclusive interview..." NME. 7 March 2000. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  16. ^ "Stone Roses reunion - Reni speaks. Mani and Reni seen together in Manchester stoking reformation rumours..." NME. 31 May 2005. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  17. ^ "Stone Roses reunion: where have they been? The Stone Roses have announced a potentially lucrative reunion today". The Telegraph. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  18. ^ "Manchester the movie: '24 hour party people'". Sight and Sound. April 2002. Retrieved 22 November 2025 – via Cerysmatic Factory.
  19. ^ Adshead, Adam (2 June 2010). "Peter Hook and Mani bring Freebass to Manchester. Group played FAC 251 as part of their debut gig-run". NME. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  20. ^ Murray, Robin (9 September 2010). "Freebass to Split". Clash. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  21. ^ Donohue, Simon. "Versus Cancer @ M.E.N Arena Archived 18 March 2025 at the Wayback Machine". Manchester Evening News, 2 April 2007. Retrieved 13 March 2025
  22. ^ "The Stone Roses confirm reunion and two homecoming shows for 2012". NME. 18 October 2011. Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  23. ^ "Primal Scream bid farewell to Mani at Edinburgh Hogmanay gig". NME. 1 January 2012. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  24. ^ Fitzgerald, Todd (14 December 2012). "Stone Roses bassist Mani and wife Imelda announce birth of twin boys". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Imelda Mounfield, wife of Stone Roses bassist Mani, dies from cancer". BBC. 19 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  26. ^ Maguire, Anna (24 August 2012). "So much for hellraisers. Now it's tea in the city for Stone Roses bassist Mani". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  27. ^ Stone Roses's Mani returns to his proud Kildare roots Archived 26 November 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Leinster Leader. Published 10 November 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  28. ^ "Stone Roses legend Mani: On receiving Athy's highest honour". Hot Press. 1 May 2019. Archived from the original on 22 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  29. ^ Slater, Chris (16 December 2025). "Stone Roses legend Mani's cause of death confirmed". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
  30. ^ "Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, bassist whose work was central to the sound and groove of the Stone Roses". The Telegraph. 20 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  31. ^ Holt, James (20 November 2025). "Gary 'Mani' Mounfield of Stone Roses dead at 63 - latest tributes". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  32. ^ "Getting Moor for your Mani". Manchester Evening News. 29 August 2007. Archived from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  33. ^ Beaumont, Mark. "Gary “Mani” Mounfield, 1962-2025: baggy bass hero whose melodies made the Madchester movement". NME, 20 November 2025. Retrieved 21 November 2025
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