Gary “Mani” Mounfield, bassist for the Stone Roses, has died at 63. His brother Greg announced the news Thursday on Facebook, writing, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother Gary Mani Mounfield.” No cause of death has been revealed.
According to the Manchester Evening News, paramedics were called to a property believed to be his home Thursday morning, but no one was taken to the hospital.
Mounfield had been preparing to tour again. In his final Instagram post on Nov. 13, he wrote that he might be heading out on his “final road trip” and promised to share his perspective on his life while remaining loyal to his former bandmates.
Tributes quickly poured in. Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown wrote on X, “REST IN PEACE MANi X,” while the band’s account called him “the greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for.” Liam Gallagher said he was “in total shock,” calling Mounfield his hero. Musicians Lily Allen and Liam Fray also honored him on social media.
Born in 1962 in Crumpsall, England, Mounfield formed the band that evolved into the Stone Roses in the early ’80s with John Squire and Andy Couzens. With Ian Brown as frontman, the group released their influential 1989 debut album, featuring hits like “Fools Gold” and “This Is the One.” They disbanded in 1996, reunited in 2011, toured in 2012, released two singles in 2016, and split again the following year.
After the Roses’ first breakup, Mounfield joined Primal Scream, contributing to albums including Vanishing Point (1997), Evil Heat (2002), and Beautiful Future (2008).
New Order remembered him as “a great guy, good fun and a father to two boys,” while ART for MCR praised him as “a true giant of this city.”
Mounfield is survived by his 12-year-old twin sons. His wife, Imelda, died of cancer in November 2023.
