“Absolutely devastated" - celebs including Liam Gallagher and Ian Brown pay tribute to Gary 'Mani' Mounfield
Former Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield has died aged 63.
Taking to social media yesterday, Brown posted “rest in peace Mani” alongside a kiss, while Tim Burgess, the lead singer of fellow indie band The Charlatans, said the late musician “never failed to bring a smile to my face”.
He worked on the Manchester band’s well-known 1989 self-titled debut album, which featured hits such as I Wanna Be Adored, She Bangs The Drums and I Am The Resurrection.
Liam Gallagher, the lead singer of Oasis, said on X that he was in “total shock” about Mounfield’s death.
He said he was “absolutely devastated”, describing the bass player as “my hero”.
After The Stone Roses broke-up in 1996, citing musical differences, Mounfield joined Scottish rock band Primal Scream, first playing on their album Vanishing Point, released a year later, where his bass playing was a key part of krautrock-influenced lead single Kowalski.
Following news of his death, Primal Scream posted a picture of him on their Instagram page, while The Stone Roses posted a joint tribute on their account.
The Stones Roses tribute read: “RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for.”
Echo And The Bunnymen singer Ian McCulloch also posted a tribute to the bass player on X, saying his “thoughts and feelings” went out to his family.
McCulloch said: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother.
“I am in shock to be honest. Please tell me I’m just having a bad, bad dream.”
Shaun Ryder, the lead singer of Happy Mondays, said in a post on X: “RIP Mani – my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family.”
Mounfield also had a guest role in the movie 24 Hour Party People (2002), and was in a supergroup called Freebass, with bass players Andy Rourke of The Smiths and Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order, the group disbanded before releasing their debut album, It’s A Beautiful Life, in 2010.
Hook said in a tribute posted to X: “Oh God. Mani… words just fail me this time, they really do. I cannot believe it. Sending all my love to his family. This is so sad. RIP mate.”
The bass player was due to embark on a speaking tour in September 2026, called The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, And Me, which was due to see him reflect on his life in rock and roll.
The Manchester-born star was a keen fan of Manchester United, and often spoke about the team on TV and radio.
The club posted a picture of him at their Old Trafford ground on X, along with a tribute that read: “A Manchester music icon and a passionate, lifelong Red. Our deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.”