Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the bassist for the Stone Roses and later Primal Scream, has died at the age of 63. The cause of death has not been disclosed. His brother Greg announced the news on Facebook, writing: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother.'
Tributes have poured in from fellow musicians. Ian Brown, his bandmate in the Stone Roses, posted: 'Rest in peace Mani.' Tim Burgess of the Charlatans called him 'one of the absolute best in every way – such a beautiful friend.' Liam Gallagher described himself as 'in total shock and absolutely devastated.'
Born on 16 November 1962 in Crumpsall, Manchester, Mani met Ian Brown while confronting far-right activists. He initially played guitar before switching to bass in the early 1980s. The Stone Roses formed in 1984 and released their iconic self-titled debut album in 1989, a landmark of the Madchester scene.
The band's second album, 'Second Coming', had a mixed reception, and they disbanded in 1996. Mani later joined Primal Scream, revitalising their sound. Reflecting on his career, he said being in the Stone Roses 'probably saved my life' after losing many friends to heroin addiction.
