Tributes have flowed after it was announced that legendary bassist Mani of the Stone Roses had died, age 63.
Mani, real name Gary Mani Mounfield, found fame with the Stone Roses from 1987 until they first disbanded in 1996. He went on to join Primal Scream and stayed with them until 2011, when the Stone Roses reformed.
Now, just over a week after announcing a UK-wide in-conversation tour, his death has been confirmed by his brother, Greg.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother Gary Mani Mounfield,” he posted on social media. “RIP rkid.”
Since then, tributes have been coming in from all over the music world.
Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown led the tributes with a simple: “Rest in Peace Mani x”.
The band also paid homage, writing: “RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for.”
Echo & The Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch added: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother. I am in shock, to be honest. Please tell me I’m just having a bad, bad dream.”
The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess shared a picture of the pair together: “I shared this photo a week or so ago on Mani’s birthday. It never failed to bring a smile to my face – and that was exactly the same for the man himself. One of the absolute best in every way – such a beautiful friend. Love you Mani x x Never to be forgotten.”
Liam Gallagher wrote that he was “in total shock” and “absolutely devastated”; Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder shared: “RIP Mani – my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family”; and Oasis guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs simply wrote, “RIP Mani. X”.
Mani’s death comes two years after his wife Imelda’s passing. The couple shared twin boys, born in January 2013.
