LONDON — Gary Mounfield, famously known as Mani, the former bassist of the iconic British rock bands The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, has passed away at the age of 63. His death was confirmed by Ian Brown, his bandmate in The Stone Roses, who took to social media to express his condolences, stating, “rest in peace Mani,” accompanied by a kiss symbol.
Mani was instrumental in shaping the sound of The Stone Roses, which rose to prominence with their self-titled debut album in 1989. The album was a landmark in British music, featuring memorable tracks like “I Wanna Be Adored,” “She Bangs The Drums,” and “I Am The Resurrection.” This record helped define the “Madchester” music scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s, blending rock with elements of dance music, and set the stage for the later Britpop era, influencing bands such as Oasis and Blur.
Although The Stone Roses faced challenges with their second album, “Second Coming,” released in 1994, Mani’s contributions remained significant. Following the band’s split in 1996 due to creative differences, he joined Primal Scream, where his bass work became a hallmark of the band’s sound, particularly evident in the krautrock-inspired lead single “Kowalski” from their album “Vanishing Point.”
The music community has been quick to honor Mani’s legacy, with Tim Burgess, lead singer of The Charlatans, sharing a heartfelt remembrance alongside a photograph of the two together. Burgess commented on the joy that the picture brought to both himself and Mani.
In addition to his musical career, Mani made a cameo in the 2022 film “24 Hour Party People” and was involved in the supergroup Freebass, which included the talents of Andy Rourke from The Smiths and Peter Hook from New Order.
He had plans to commence a speaking tour titled “The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, And Me” in September 2026, where he intended to share his experiences in the rock world. Mani leaves behind two sons and a rich musical legacy, having met his wife Imelda during the recording of “Second Coming.”
Mounfield’s passing marks a significant loss to the music industry, as his influence and contributions have left an indelible mark on the landscape of modern British rock.