Mourners have been lining the streets to offer their final respects to Stone Roses legend Gary Mounfield at the funeral for the much-loved bassist known as ‘Mani’.
The ceremony at Manchester Cathedral has guests arriving including Stone Roses singer Ian Brown and Paul Weller, while David Beckham and Gary Neville – legends of Mani’s beloved Manchester United – are also attending.
Mounfield died peacefully in his sleep aged 63 at his home in Stockport of ‘respiratory issues’ after having the lung condition emphysema, it was revealed last week.
He died on November 20 after collapsing following a seizure, with family sources saying an ambulance was called but he could not be revived.
His death came two years after his wife of 25 years, Imelda died after suffering from bowel cancer.
They are survived by their 12-year-old sons Gene and George.
A black hearse containing his coffin was seen leaving Heaton Moor en route to the cathedral, with white flowers forming the words ‘R Kid’ – while among the mourners were Charlatans singer Tim Burgess, Oasis guitarist Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs and Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie.
Ian Brown said: ‘We will celebrate his life like the beautiful human being that he was – he’s a brother to me.’
His brother Greg first confirmed the news of Mani’s passing last month, writing: : ‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. Gary Mani Mounfield RIP.’
He added in the comments section: ‘Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda.’
The Stone Roses took to X to share a throwback photo of Gary playing the bass and wrote: ‘RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for. X.’
Lead singer Ian Brown, 62, took to his own page to share his tribute: ‘Rest In Peace Mani.’
Mani’s death came less than a week after he announced an intimate in-conversation tour of the UK.
The musician shot to fame with The Stone Roses, but they went their separate ways in 1996, and he went on to join Primal Scream.
But in 2011, he announced he had left the band to reunite with The Stone Roses for a huge stadium tour.
During the 13-month long recording of the second Stone Roses album Second Coming at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, Mani met his wife Imelda.
In the wake of her cancer diagnosis, Imelda and Mani held a number of charity fundraisers to raise money for good causes The Christie Hospital, The Stockport Charitable Trust and Maggie’s.
They raised funds for charity by organising auctions of items from David Beckham and Oasis.
Imelda told the BBC: ‘I just don’t want to be sat thinking about cancer and illness all the time, because it is all-consuming.
‘And this was just a way to balance that out – to give myself something else to think about but something positive.
‘Sometimes I have bad days and demon days and I’ll have side effects. And other times people haven’t got a clue that I’m ill because I try and carry on as best as I can.’
Imelda’s death came weeks after The Stone Roses’ bassist Pete died aged 61 – reportedly after a cancer battle.
The musician was the Manchester band’s original bassist but quit the group in 1987 to work in HMV because he did not feel worthy of being in the group.
Mani was last seen out in public at the funeral of Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral in October.
Liam Gallagher and Shaun Ryder also paid tributes following his death last month to Mani, who also played for Primal Scream.
Oasis star Liam, who was a close friend of Mani’s, took to X and wrote: ‘In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani my hero. RIP.’
Happy Mondays star Shaun shared a photo of the pair together and wrote: ‘RIP Mani – my heartfelt condolensces to his twin boys and all of his family.’
Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews wrote: ‘So sad to learn of the passing of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield. He was a true gentleman, and a wonderful musician. A massive legend!’
Kasabian also shared a tribute on their official band account, writing: ‘Sad and shocked to hear the news.’
‘RIP Mani. Beautiful man, Manchester Icon, a huge talent with huge heart and one of our first industry supporters as a band. You will be missed massively X.’
