Ian Brown Honors Mani at Manchester Funeral – Bobby Gillespie Tribute
Mani,Stone Roses and Primal Scream Bassist,Laid to Rest
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The funeral of Gary “Mani” Mounfield,bassist for iconic bands The Stone Roses and Primal Scream,was held on Friday,December 22nd,2025,at Manchester Cathedral. The service drew a large crowd of mourners, including fellow musicians and fans, to celebrate the life of the influential musician.
Bez, a close friend and former happy Mondays member, told reporters that Mani will be “truly missed” and that he was “a proper one of the boys, everyone loved him,” according to BBC News. He added, “We’ve just got a massive history together, sharing a history like that it’s special. He’s part of the Manchester heritage.”
Pallbearers and a Disturbance at the Cathedral
As the service concluded, Liam Gallagher and stone Roses members Reni and John Squire were among those who carried Mani’s coffin from the cathedral. However, the event was briefly disrupted when a woman was reportedly detained by police outside the Cathedral, according to Manchester Evening News. She was reportedly handcuffed, but the circumstances surrounding the detention remain unclear.
A Scooter Tribute
A unique tribute unfolded as Mani’s funeral cortege passed through Heaton Moor.Drew Savage of @DrewSavageSport reported on Twitter that a large group of scooter enthusiasts joined the procession, riding alongside the cortege in a moving display of respect.
Remembering Mani’s life and Legacy
Last week, Mani’s brother Greg revealed that the musician “died peacefully at his home in Heaton moor” in Greater Manchester. He described Mani as a “beloved husband to the late Imelda [and] the much loved father to George, Gene and Joe,” and also “a loved son-in-law, nephew, cousin and good friend to many.”
NME described Mani as a “rare place in the world of bass heroes,” noting that his “weighty and melodic” basslines were foundational to The Stone Roses’ signature sound, especially on tracks like ‘Elephant Stone,’ ‘Made Of Stone,’ ‘She Bangs The Drums,’ and ‘Fools Gold.’
Tributes from the Music World
Following the news of Mani’s death,tributes poured in from across the music industry. My Bloody Valentine dedicated their first tour in seven years to him, while oasis performed ‘Live Forever’ in his honor during a concert in brazil. Richard ashcroft paid tribute by performing a cover of ’She Bangs The Drums’ while supporting Oasis in Brazil.
More recently, Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie recalled a memorable meeting with Mani and Joey Ramone, calling it “like a scene from a movie.” Former New Order and Joy Division bassist peter Hook, who collaborated with Mani in Freebass, declared Mani “the best” from a bass-playing perspective.