Stone Roses legend Mani has died.
The bassist – whose real name was Gary Mountfield – has passed away at the age of 63, his brother Greg revealed on Facebook.
Greg wrote: “IT IS WITH THE HEAVIEST OF HEARTS THAT I HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THE SAD PASSING OF MY BROTHER GARY MANI MOUNFIELD. RIP RKID.(sic)”
Mani’s nephew also paid tribute to the rocker, noting he would be “reunited in heaven” with his wife Imelda, following her death from cancer in 2023.
He wrote on X: “Unfortunately with sad news my uncle Gary Mani Mounfield from the stone roses has sadly passed away today.
“Thinking of his twins and my uncle Greg at this sad time. He will be reunited in heaven with his lovely wife Imelda RIP Manni Your annoying nephew.(sic)”
No details about Mani’s death have yet been officially shared, but insiders told Daily Mail online he passed away at his home in Stockport after collapsing. An ambulance was called but he couldn’t be revived.
Happy Mondays singer Rowetta has paid tribute to the Fool’s Gold hitmaker, who was also known for his work with Primal Scream.
She wrote on X: “Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family all those who knew loved him.”
ART for MCR, an organisation raising money for Manchester charities through musical events, noted the city’s beat “won’t ever be the same”.
Sharing an image of the musician, they wrote: “Unreal this. Absolutely numbed us. We’re gutted to hear of the passing of Gary “Mani” Mounfield — a true giant of this city and a massive influence on anyone who’s ever picked up a guitar or stepped on a stage round here.
“Honestly, The groove, the attitude, the spirit… he shaped so much of the music that shaped us.
“This one really hurts. Everyone proper proper loved him. I remember crying my eyes out watching them at the Heaton Park gigs.
“All our love goes out to the Mounfield family, the Roses community, and everyone feeling this loss today. Rest easy Mani. Manchester’s beat won’t ever be the same.”
Mani’s death came less than a week after he announced an intimate in-conversation tour of the UK.
The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and me would have featured the Rocks hitmaker look back on his life and career, including the Stone Roses’ legendary 1990 Spike Island gig.
Mani shot to fame with the Stone Roses but they went their separate ways in 1996 and he went on to join Primal Scream.
But in 2011, he announced he had left the band to reunite with the Stone Roses for a huge stadium tour.