The music world united in grief on Monday as hundreds gathered at Manchester Cathedral to say farewell to Gary "Mani" Mounfield, the legendary bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. The service was a poignant celebration of a life lived with laughter and loud music, attended by a who's who of British rock and football.
A Cathedral United in Grief and Celebration
The funeral cortege arrived led by an honour guard of scooter riders, setting the tone for a service that blended Mancunian pride with rock and roll spirit. The hearse, carrying a coffin adorned with the iconic cover art from The Stone Roses' debut album, arrived to the sound of "I Wanna Be Adored" and departed to "Made of Stone". Floral tributes spelled out "Mani", "R Kid", and "Dad".
Inside the packed cathedral, the classic line-up of The Stone Roses was reunited in sorrow. Singer Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, and drummer Alan "Reni" Wren were joined by Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie and Oasis icon Liam Gallagher as pallbearers. The congregation included music legend Paul Weller, footballers Sir David Beckham and Gary Neville, Happy Mondays' Bez, and former New Order bassist Peter Hook.
"Always a Beautiful Soul": Heartfelt Tributes from Bandmates
Ian Brown delivered a moving eulogy, remembering his friend of 45 years as a constant source of joy and support. "Mani was like a brother to me. A dream as a friend. A true musical comrade," Brown told the mourners. He described Mounfield as a "non-stop laugh machine" whose lifelong passions were his family, friends, fishing, Manchester United, music, and Lambretta scooters.
Brown spoke of the "tsunami of love" for Mani since his passing last month, stating, "He loved everyone and everyone loves him." He credited his bandmate with lifting people up across the world with his bass guitar skills. The service erupted in cheers when Brown declared that few had done more for Manchester and called for a 50-foot, solid gold statue to be erected in the bassist's honour.
Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie paid tribute to Mani's decade-long tenure with his band, which began in 1996. "He was a funky little mother, with a rock-and-roll heart," Gillespie said, painting a picture of a bassist who "stalked the stage with the stealth of a panther". He consoled the crowd by saying, "Mani's not dead, he's just gone. He will always live forever in my soul and in my mind."
A Legacy of Music and Manchester
Gary "Mani" Mounfield's career left an indelible mark on British music. After helping define the Madchester sound with The Stone Roses' seminal album, he joined Primal Scream, recording five albums. He later reunited with The Stone Roses for a celebrated tour starting in 2012, culminating in final concerts for the classic line-up at Heaton Park, Wembley Stadium, and Glasgow's Hampden Park in 2016 and 2017.
His influence extended beyond music, with a cameo in the film 24 Hour Party People and the bassist supergroup Freebass. He was due to begin a speaking tour, "The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, And Me", in September 2026, to reflect on his extraordinary life in rock. The service was briefly preceded by the arrest of one woman outside the cathedral on suspicion of assault after she was reportedly refused entry.
The funeral was not just a goodbye but a powerful testament to a man who, in the words of Ian Brown, made "every room he was in brighter". As the music faded from the cathedral, Manchester and the music world were left with a "Mani-sized hole", remembering a beautiful soul who lived a full, fulfilled, and blessed life.
