“One of the absolute best in every possible way”
19:14, 20 Nov 2025Updated 20:57, 20 Nov 2025
Mani performing with The Stone Roses in 2012 (Image: PA)
As far as Manchester music legends go, it’s hard to think of one so universally loved than Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield. Iconic as a performer with The Stone Roses, but away from the stage he was something else.
Put simply, Mani was a much-loved man of the people, and a “proper Manc”. His huge grin and infectious chuckle made him a relatable hero to all.
His many friends, fans and family paid emotional tributes following the announcement of his passing on Thursday. The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess summed up the mood.
He wrote: “One of the absolute best in every possible way.”
Born in Crumpsall in November 1962, he went on to attend Xaverian College in Rusholme, and Mani’s passion for guitar would see him perform with several bands in his youth.
Mani cheering on his beloved Man United at Wembley in 2011(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
He formed “The Fireside Chaps” alongside John Squire and Andy Couzens in the early 1980s. These would then go on to become The Waterfront.
Squire’s old school pal Ian Brown briefly joined as vocalist before things fizzled out. But it was when those talented young musicians with fire in their belly became The Stone Roses that the sparks of one of Manchester’s most iconic music stories would begin.
While Ian Brown was the swaggering frontman, Reni the backbone, and John Squire the talismanic guitarist, Mani, to many, was simply the soul of the Roses.
Despite raucous early years and spats within the band, they became the sound of a generation, and the spur for so many other Manchester bands who would follow in their footsteps.
The Stone Roses following their reunion in 2011(Image: Publicity picture)
Both Liam and Noel Gallagher described the Roses as their inspiration – and both would become great pals with Mani and his family over the years. Mani even once said that the only other bands he’d ever want to join (aside from the Roses and Primal Scream who he later joined) would be Oasis.
When Liam paid his own emotional tribute on social media on Thursday, it was with the words “Mani my hero”.
While, after two seminal albums, the Stone Roses were to spectacularly self-implode by 1996, Mani would only grow in stature as a respected and much-loved figure on the music scene.
He would regularly appear in the pages of the Manchester Evening News, happy to chat to our correspondents on all manner of subjects, whether that be with match predictions for his beloved Manchester United’s next big final, or jokes about his favourite hangover cure.
The Clash’s Mick Jones with Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie and Mani in 2007(Image: Getty Images)
In 2005 he formed the Manc supergroup Freebass alongside New Order’s Peter Hook and The Smiths’ Andy Rourke, with Mani saying of the union at the time: “I’m proud of what we achieved, really. It’s not often bass players get to step out of the shadows and create something from scratch and between us we’ve managed it.”
He would go on to join fellow indie legends Primal Scream as their full time bassist, only leaving when the news music fans had barely dared to dream of became a reality – that the Stone Roses were getting back together in 2011.
It was the death of Mani’s mum that brought the band members back together in 2011, with Mani saying at the time: “Good things can come from grey clouds.
“We came together to rehearse, went through a few songs and something magical happens when us four are in a room together. You can’t put any finger on it and it’s just so beautiful.”
The historic “third coming” would see Mani reunite with Reni, Squire and Brown for a Manc comeback of such biblical proportions, that only Oasis could have gone one bigger.
(L-R) John Squire, Mani, Ian Brown and Reni of The Stone Roses when they reunited in 2011(Image: Getty Images)
Naturally, Mani was there for the Gallaghers big return too this summer – in the front row with his twins to cheer on Oasis at Heaton Park. He was by the side of his pal Liam as both headed to pay their tributes to boxer Ricky Hatton only last month at his funeral at Manchester Cathedral.
This correspondent last chatted to Mani at another funeral – that of well-known Manchester figure Arthur Donnelly in June this year, and he gave short shrift to my joky question: “When are the Roses going to do an Oasis then Mani?”.
Arthur’s son Anthony Donnelly was among those paying tribute today calling Mani “The ultimate rock star and gentleman. He was a hero to all of us.”
One can only imagine the outpouring that’s to come for Mani’, as one colleague here put it: “They’re going to need a bigger Cathedral”.
In his personal life, Mani was settled with the love of his life Imelda in Heaton Moor, with the couple welcoming twin boys Gene and George, now 12, in January 2013.
Mani and Imelda when they prepared to host their big fundraiser in 2022 (Image: Paul Husband)
But the couple would be dealt devastating news in November 2020 that Imelda had been diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer. They would later go public with the news, facing the battle courageously with a huge fundraising ball.
With typical Manc grit – and humour, Mani told the M.E.N.: “When life deals you a pair of twos, you must get your game face on.
“The past two years since my wife’s diagnosis have been brutal in so many ways, but it’s also opened our eyes to so many things.
“This disease needs to be eradicated – we feel duty bound to do our bit to achieve this.”
Tragically, Imelda passed away in 2023, almost exactly two years before her husband. And days before his death, Mani penned an emotional tribute to his beloved wife.
Mani’s legacy will live on(Image: PA)
“Today marks the second anniversary of my Imelda’s passing,” he said. “We miss her every day, but we have learnt to adapt to her being in the next room.
“We cant see or touch you, but we feel your presence every day… rest well my love.”
Just last week Mani had outlined his plans for the next stage of his career – taking out a one man show with a slew of dates across the UK, much to the delight of fans.
But his heartbreaking final instagram post said of the tour: “I think I’m embarking on what could be my final road trip…”
Family and friends have been able to take some comfort in knowing that Mani is now at rest with his beloved Imelda.
Their legacy, however, will continue to live on in their sons, and with the music that Mani pounded so memorably into our lives.
RIP Mani.