Saying goodbye to Mani feels unreal. He was one of those musicians whose playing didn’t just fill the room it lifted the whole atmosphere. Every time I think of the first Stone Roses album I’m reminded of what a breath of fresh air it was in the UK. It changed everything. It reshaped the sound of a generation and Mani’s bass was right at the centre of that shift. His lines on Waterfall She Bangs the Drums I Am the Resurrection… they were pure magic. Melodic, driving, full of life. They helped define the British music scene at a moment when it desperately needed something new and joyful. The news of his passing hit all of us hard. His brother Greg shared it with the heaviest of hearts and tributes poured in instantly. Ian Brown simply wrote rest in peace Mani. Tim Burgess called him one of the absolute best in every way. Rowetta remembered him with so much love. Liam Gallagher said he was in total shock and that Mani was his hero. Rough Trade said he was the perfect example of how a bassist can be the beating heart of a band. The whole community felt it because the whole community knew what he meant. Mani’s story was so much bigger than two legendary bands. Born in Crumpsall he became friends with Ian Brown standing up to National Front skinheads who were terrorising their mates. He formed early bands with John Squire and Andy Couzens before they evolved into the Stone Roses. He started on guitar but bass unlocked something in him. He said he always loved northern soul and funk grooves and the bass felt like home. It showed. That feel of his changed everything. Everyone from the Gallaghers to new kids forming their first bands point back to the Roses and Mani’s playing as the spark. He said the band probably saved his life after losing so many friends to heroin. He knew exactly what music had given him and he put that gratitude into every note. He spoke about the first album with so much pride. When it was reissued he said that a classic album that still feels fresh deserves recognition. He said they were light years ahead of their time and you believed him because he was right. Even when talking about the chaos of Spike Island or the pressure around Second Coming he carried that honesty and humour that everyone loved. And then there was Primal Scream. He said being with the Primals felt like freedom a real democracy and you could hear that freedom in the music. Later he jumped into Freebass with Andy Rourke and Peter Hook taking the idea of a bass supergroup and somehow making it work. Whether on stage with Ian Brown or doing DJ sets or talking about fishing and football he was always the same Mani. Open hearted funny grounded. Mani will be missed more than I can put into words. Everyone who knew him spoke about his kindness his humour and the way he made people feel instantly welcome. There is a huge emptiness today because he touched so many lives. His legacy will live on in the music in the memories and in the countless musicians he inspired and we will carry that with us always.
Produce Like A Pro
R.I.P Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield
Saying goodbye to Mani feels unreal. He was one of those musicians whose playing didn’t just fill the room it lifted the whole atmosphere. Every time I think of the first Stone Roses album I’m reminded of what a breath of fresh air it was in the UK. It changed everything. It reshaped the sound of a generation and Mani’s bass was right at the centre of that shift. His lines on Waterfall She Bangs the Drums I Am the Resurrection… they were pure magic. Melodic, driving, full of life. They helped define the British music scene at a moment when it desperately needed something new and joyful.
The news of his passing hit all of us hard. His brother Greg shared it with the heaviest of hearts and tributes poured in instantly. Ian Brown simply wrote rest in peace Mani. Tim Burgess called him one of the absolute best in every way. Rowetta remembered him with so much love. Liam Gallagher said he was in total shock and that Mani was his hero. Rough Trade said he was the perfect example of how a bassist can be the beating heart of a band. The whole community felt it because the whole community knew what he meant.
Mani’s story was so much bigger than two legendary bands. Born in Crumpsall he became friends with Ian Brown standing up to National Front skinheads who were terrorising their mates. He formed early bands with John Squire and Andy Couzens before they evolved into the Stone Roses. He started on guitar but bass unlocked something in him. He said he always loved northern soul and funk grooves and the bass felt like home. It showed. That feel of his changed everything.
Everyone from the Gallaghers to new kids forming their first bands point back to the Roses and Mani’s playing as the spark. He said the band probably saved his life after losing so many friends to heroin. He knew exactly what music had given him and he put that gratitude into every note.
He spoke about the first album with so much pride. When it was reissued he said that a classic album that still feels fresh deserves recognition. He said they were light years ahead of their time and you believed him because he was right. Even when talking about the chaos of Spike Island or the pressure around Second Coming he carried that honesty and humour that everyone loved.
And then there was Primal Scream. He said being with the Primals felt like freedom a real democracy and you could hear that freedom in the music. Later he jumped into Freebass with Andy Rourke and Peter Hook taking the idea of a bass supergroup and somehow making it work. Whether on stage with Ian Brown or doing DJ sets or talking about fishing and football he was always the same Mani. Open hearted funny grounded.
Mani will be missed more than I can put into words. Everyone who knew him spoke about his kindness his humour and the way he made people feel instantly welcome. There is a huge emptiness today because he touched so many lives. His legacy will live on in the music in the memories and in the countless musicians he inspired and we will carry that with us always.
3 weeks ago | [YT] | 809