Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie has shared the story of when he and Mani met Joey Ramone, describing it as “like a scene from a movie”.
The singer was writing on Instagram earlier today (November 30), just 10 days after the iconic bassist – who was a member of Primal Scream from 1996 until 2011 – died at the age of 63.
As Gillespie recalled, the meeting with the Ramones frontman took place during the recording sessions for the band’s 2000 album ‘XTRMNTR’, and specifically as they were finishing off the psychedelic track ‘When The Kingdom Comes’, which would go on to be released as a B-side on the ‘Accelerator’ single.
“’When The Kingdom Comes’ was a Freakbeat style tune that we had fun with that Mani loved, in fact it was one of his favourite tracks that he did with us and was always pushing to have it in the live set,” Gillespie wrote.
Outlining that the song includes contributions from Paul Weller and My Bloody Valentine’s Kevin Shields, he continued: “Whilst we were mixing the song there was a knock at our studio door and I answered it only to find the one and only Joey Ramone @ramones standing there.”
“I invited him in and introduced him to the band – you should have seen Mani’s face – for once he had nothing to say – him and the others were all dumbstruck by Joey’s presence.”
“Joey listened to the track and said to us all that ‘It’s great to hear people still making REAL ROCK AND ROLL’ – in that inimitable Joey voice – I kid you not! To be blessed by one of our heroes who inspired us to start our band was just such an amazing feeling. It’s experiences like this that makes being in a band the best thing.”
Gillespie concluded: “After Joey left, Mani was in heaven, as we all were. It was like a scene from a Movie – we had no idea he was coming round – total surprise. Creation’s offices were round the corner & Alan McGee had sent Joey to see us – turns out he was a fan of the Scream. Good times!”
Listen to ‘When The Kingdom Comes’ here:
Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield originally found fame as bassist for The Stone Roses, joining in 1987 and playing on both of their iconic studio albums. When they disbanded in 1996, he joined Primal Scream, remaining on board until the Roses reformed in 2011.
Primal Scream initially shared a picture tribute to Mani on Instagram, while the band’s bassist Simone Butler wrote: “Truly in shock at this. An incredible loss to everyone who knew and loved him. The moment u met Mani u loved him. The most brilliant and wickedly sharp sense of humour and the biggest heart and generosity. The smile in that first pics was so absolutely him. He called me his scorpio bass sister. My heart is breaking for his boys, family and loved ones. Was meant to see him tmro in Manchester.
“A terrible and sad loss. An amazing person, so so loved by everyone all over the world X just heartbreaking.”
The band played at Manchester’s Warehouse Project last weekend (November 22) and paid tribute by performing ‘I’m Losing More Than I’ll Ever Have’ in his hometown, in front of a huge backdrop depicting the bassist.
After Manchester United paid their own tribute to Mani, Primal Scream responded with a message reading: “Mani … Knighted by the terraces. Loved by everyone who ever knew or met him. He lit up our lives and funked up our sound. A true punk and working class hero. His light shines on.”
Others to have paid tribute to Mani since his passing include Ian Brown, Oasis, Peter Hook, My Bloody Valentine, Richard Ashcroft and Zak Starkey.
