Gary 'Mani' Mounfield dies at 64

 Mounfield's arrival in The Stone Roses in 1987 was a pivotal moment that transformed the band and catapulted them into the heart of the "Madchester" scene. It was his pulsating, powerful bass sound that cuts ominously through the sonic fog at the beginning of "I Wanna Be Adored" that became the immortal introduction to one of the most important British albums of all time.

Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the revered bassist whose signature style defined the sound of cult bands The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, has died aged 64 after collapsing at his home in Stockport, the sad news confirmed by his brother Greg on Facebook with a simple message: 

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must announce the sad news of the passing of my brother. Rest in peace, Rkid." Reactions from music greats immediately followed. Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown wrote: "RIP MANi X", while Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, whose career is inconceivable without the Roses, expressed his shock and sadness: "I am completely shocked and absolutely devastated by the news of Mani. My hero, rest in peace."

Mounfield's arrival at The Stone Roses in 1987 was a pivotal moment that transformed the band and catapulted them into the centre of the "Madchester" scene. It was his pulsating, powerful bass sound that cuts ominously through the sonic fog at the beginning of "I Wanna Be Adored" that became the immortal introduction to one of the most important British albums of all time. 

The Stone Roses' 1989 debut album fused 60s-inspired anthemic melodies with the danceable energy of rave culture, with Mani's bass lines the fuel that powered hits such as "She Bangs the Drums" and "This Is the One". Ian Brown once said that the band "changed overnight" with Mani's arrival: "It was a completely different rhythm... Everything just clicked into place." The album received rave reviews and eventually gained legendary status, and is considered by many to be the foundation on which 1990s Britpop was built.

Despite the huge success of their debut and the legendary Spike Island concert, the band's journey was rocky. They were embroiled in a protracted legal battle with their record company, which halted their momentum. It was not until five and a half years later, in December 1994, that they released their long-awaited second album, ironically titled "Second Coming". Although the album was a commercial success and spawned the hit single "Love Spreads", it failed to replicate the magic and impact of their debut. Internal tensions grew and the band disbanded in 1996, after which Mani was quick to take on a new challenge.

Immediately after the Roses split, Mounfield joined Scottish rockers Primal Scream, a band that was also experimenting with fusing rock and dance culture. His arrival gave them a much-needed creative boost at a time when they were themselves considering breaking up. 

Albums

During his fifteen-year tenure with the band, he recorded five albums and became a significant songwriter, co-writing hits such as "Kowalski" from Vanishing Point and their biggest hit in the UK, "Country Girl". At the same time, he was part of the supergroup Freebass with two other legendary bassists, Peter Hook of New Order and Andy Rourke of The Smiths, further cementing his status as an icon of the instrument.

Mani had been a staunch advocate for a Stone Roses reunion for years. The opportunity arose in 2011, when the band members attended his mother's funeral. The sad event, he said, was a "silver lining" that allowed them to iron out old differences. Mounfield left Primal Scream to focus fully on the band's comeback.

 A triumphant comeback tour followed, including appearances on the world's biggest stages, from California's Coachella Festival to London's Wembley Stadium. However, old tensions resurfaced, and the band quietly disbanded after a June 2017 show in Glasgow, which turned out to be their last.