DJ Dave Sweetmore was due to accompany the rock legend on his recently announced Q&A tour
DJ Dave Sweetmore was due to accompany the rock legend on his recently announced Q&A tour(Image: Dave Sweetmore)
A close friend of Stone Roses and Primal Scream legend Gary Mani Mounfield has paid an emotional tribute to as ‘amazing’ musician who never forgot his roots.
The iconic bassist, from Crumpsall in north Manchester, died aged 63, it was confirmed on Thursday (November 20). His brother Greg first revealed the news on Facebook, prompting a huge outpouring of love and memories from stars across the music world.
Paramedics were called to a property in Heaton Moor, thought to be Mounfield’s home, shortly before 11am. No patient was taken to hospital, the Manchester Evening News understands.
Tributes flooded in, including from Oasis legend Liam Gallagher, Kasabian, Echo and the Bunnymen and New Order’s Peter Hook. Manchester United, of which Mounfield was a lifelong fan, and Mayor Andy Burnham
The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess described him as ‘one of the absolute best in every possible way’.
The Manchester native appeared to have big plans for next year, announcing a solo tour of the UK just over a week ago. Last Thursday, Mani revealed a 69-date schedule that would have seen him visit much of Britain throughout late 2026 and early 2027.
The iconic bassist, from Crumpsall in north Manchester, died aged 63(Image: PA)
The tour was titled: The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and Me – An Intimate Evening with Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield and was set to see him answer questions from fans and discuss his time in the iconic bands, including memories and experiences on tour.
DJ and presenter Dave Sweetmore, who had been friends with Mounfield for over 20 years, was due to co-present the on-stage tour and claimed to have been getting ready to help him with writing a book about his life.
He had only last spoken to the rock bassist on Monday to celebrate his 63rd birthday – some three days before the musician’s sudden death.
Dave and Mani had known each other for 20 years(Image: Dave Sweetmore)
Sharing a selection of pictures of the pair, he wrote on social media: “Absolutely gutted. I spoke to Mani on Monday, he was unbelievably excited for the ‘Evening with’ tour we had just announced, with more dates around the world already in his mind.
“We had planned a date in December to start writing his book together. He was genuinely one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet, and leaves a hole in the music world that can never be filled. Rest in peace mate.”
The tour, set to run from September next year, was an opportunity for Mounfield to ‘reflect on the band who redefined the British music scene’ while in Stone Roses. He was booked to appear at the Forum Theatre in Stockport on October 9 next year.
“I’d known him for the best part of 20 years and I knew him from being part of the Manchester music scene,” Dave added. “He was amazing, he never forgot where he was from and always supported new bands.
“I was going to be hosting the show, I would have been interviewing him about his life and career. I was also going to be co writing his book with him, which we were due to start in December.”
In his final post about the tour, Mounfield wrote: “I think @mm embarking on what could be my final road trip….. Getting too old now…. Anyway, there’s a lot to go at….
“Anybody wanting to hear slaggings off of bandmates … or titbits of dirt, conjecture & gossip…. I’m not that guy… I will be giving my skewed vision of my own life, I never did, and would never rat on my comrades… hope you come out and say hello.”
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In a series of emotional public tributes, the guitarist was hailed as ‘one of the greats’, a ‘music legend’ and ‘a megastar and Manc lad who loved having a laugh’.
The news of his death comes almost two years to the day since his wife Imelda’s tragic death. She passed away in November, 2023, after a three year battle with stage four bowel cancer.
Stone Roses star Gary Mounfield with wife Imelda(Image: Paul Husband)
The couple shared twin boys, Gene and George, 12, who were born in January 2013. Now, fans can share their own message in memory of the Manchester legend by contributing to our tributes page.