Stone Roses Icon Mani to Receive Emotional Tribute at BRIT Awards
Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the legendary bassist of The Stone Roses who passed away suddenly in November 2025 at age 63, will be honoured in a special tribute at tonight's BRIT Awards ceremony. The emotional speech will be delivered by his close friend and fellow musician, Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans.
A Heartfelt Tribute from a Dear Friend
A source close to the event revealed that Tim Burgess is set to present the In Memoriam segment, but will first deliver a personal tribute to Mani, describing him as both a dear friend and mentor. The source emphasised the significance of the moment, noting that Mani was from Manchester and this year marks the first time the BRIT Awards are being held in the city, making it a particularly special occasion.
Mani will feature prominently in the In Memoriam section alongside other music greats lost in the past year, including Ozzy Osbourne. Tim Burgess has previously spoken publicly about his admiration for the Stone Roses legend, stating, "I looked up to him so much. He was a pathfinder for so many of us, like an older brother who had blazed a trail."
Mani's Musical Legacy and Career
The Stone Roses, one of the most influential bands of the Madchester era, disbanded in 1996 citing musical differences. Following the split, Mani joined the rock band Primal Scream, where he remained for 15 years, recording four albums with the group. He left Primal Scream in 2011 to reunite with The Stone Roses for a reformation that delighted fans worldwide.
Manchester Takes Centre Stage at the BRITs
In keeping with the Manchester theme, the ceremony at the Co-op Live arena will also see a reunion of Happy Mondays duo Bez and Shaun Ryder as guest presenters. The pair, who performed at the BRITs in 1991, were reportedly top of organisers' wish lists to bring some classic Madchester energy to the event.
A source explained, "They will hopefully bring some old-school Madchester energy to proceedings. Organisers can't wait to see them in action. They want the show to be a love letter to Manchester as it's being held in the city for the first time, and want to channel the city's brilliant energy."
Ozzy Osbourne's Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award
Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July 2025 at age 76, will be honoured with a posthumous BRIT Awards lifetime achievement award. The tribute performance will be fronted by pop star Robbie Williams and curated by Ozzy's wife Sharon Osbourne. It will feature a special arrangement of Black Sabbath's 1991 song "No More Tears," with Williams joined on stage by musicians who previously played in Ozzy's band, including keyboardist Adam Wakeman, Metallica's Robert Trujillo, drummer Tommy Clufetos and guitarist Zakk Wylde.
Stacey Tang, chairwoman of the 2026 BRIT Awards committee, said, "Ozzy Osbourne has been a mighty force in modern music. Possessing an unmistakable voice and unique presence, he reshaped the sound and spirit of rock, inspiring generations of artists who followed. This lifetime achievement award recognises a remarkable legacy built on originality and enduring influence that continues to connect with fans worldwide."
Additional Highlights of the 2026 BRIT Awards
The show, presented by Jack Whitehall, will feature former One Direction star Harry Styles returning to the BRITs stage, where he is expected to open the ceremony with his new song "Aperture." Olivia Dean and Lola Young lead this year's nominations with five nods each, while Sam Fender follows closely with four nominations.
Continuing the Manchester celebration, Noel Gallagher will receive the Songwriter of the Year award. Organisers praised his "songwriting that has permeated the fabric of British culture for over 30 years, from his seminal work with Oasis to his ambitious and acclaimed solo albums with Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds." They added that his songs "span generations and have continued to resonate with audiences around the world like no other."
