Gary “Mani” Mounfield, best known as the longtime bassist of The Stone Roses, passed away today November 20, at the age of 63.
Born in Manchester on November 16 1962, Mani joined The Stone Roses in 1987, becoming a defining presence on their landmark debut album and shaping their distinctive, melodic yet powerful basslines. His distinctive, melodic style powered some of their biggest hits, tracks that remain staples on playlists and indie radio alike.
After The Stone Roses split in 1996, Mani didn’t slow down. He went on to join Primal Scream, contributing to the band’s evolution while staying true to his roots. When the Roses reunited in 2011, he was right there again, reminding everyone of why basslines, not just vocals, can make or break a song.
Mani’s passing is a moment to reflect on how music connects us. The Stone Roses defined a generation and their songs still resonate in our halls, on nights out, and when we’re stuck in essay mode, headphones in, drowning out distractions.
Tributes are being paid all over social media for this true Manchester icon. Rest in peace.
Feature Image Credit: mari, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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