It’s a sad day for music lovers as Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the celebrated bassist renowned for his unique style that shaped the sounds of famous bands like The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, has passed away at just 64 years old. The tragic news was revealed by his brother, Greg, via a thoughtful post on Facebook.
Greg’s message read: “With a heavy heart, I share that my brother has passed away. Rest in peace, Rkid.” This heartfelt announcement was met with sorrowful responses from various music legends. For instance, Ian Brown, the frontman of The Stone Roses, shared a simple tribute: “RIP MANi X”. Meanwhile, Liam Gallagher of Oasis expressed his profound disbelief and sadness, calling Mani his hero.
Back in 1987, Mani’s entry into The Stone Roses changed everything for the band, pulling them into the vibrant ‘Madchester’ music scene. His driving bass lines, particularly the gripping intro to “I Wanna Be Adored”, played a significant role in launching what many consider among the most pivotal British albums ever.
Their groundbreaking debut album, dropped in 1989, masterfully blended anthemic melodies from the 60s with the exuberance of rave culture. Mani’s bass work powered unforgettable tracks like “She Bangs the Drums” and “This Is the One”. Ian Brown famously remarked on the band’s transformation with Mani on board, saying, “It was like everything just clicked into place overnight,” leading to extraordinary acclaim for their album.
However, despite their early triumphs and iconic performances like the Spike Island concert, The Stone Roses faced some tumultuous times, primarily due to a long legal dispute with their record label that hindered their progress. It wasn’t until December 1994 that they finally released their anticipated follow-up, aptly named “Second Coming”. Even though the album was commercially successful and featured the hit “Love Spreads”, it couldn’t recreate the magic of their initial offering. Following internal conflicts, the band parted ways in 1996, but Mani was quick to jump into new ventures.
After the split, he found himself with the Scottish band Primal Scream, lending his talent to help them blend rock and dance elements creatively. His participation during this period proved crucial to the band’s rejuvenation.
Musical Contributions
During a prolific fifteen years with Primal Scream, Mani contributed to five albums and emerged as a crucial songwriter, co-penning hits like “Kowalski” from their album Vanishing Point and their chart-topping track “Country Girl”. In addition, he partnered with legendary bassists Peter Hook from New Order and Andy Rourke from The Smiths in a supergroup named Freebass, solidifying his reputation as a bass guitar icon.
Mani had long been a passionate supporter of a Stone Roses reunion. In 2011, a somber occasion – his mother’s funeral – brought the band together to address bygone issues. Following this, Mani decided to leave Primal Scream, eager to focus on the resurgence of The Stone Roses.
This led to a celebrated comeback tour, which saw them grace monumental stages, from Coachella in California to the famous Wembley Stadium in London. Sadly, past conflicts resurfaced, and after a concert in June 2017 in Glasgow, the band quietly disbanded once more.
