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Today, the worlds of rock music and football collided in a heartfelt tribute as icons from both arenas gathered to bid a final farewell to Gary “Mani” Mounfield, the beloved bassist of the Stone Roses. Friends, family, and fans congregated at Manchester Cathedral to honor the legacy of a man who left an indelible mark on music and his community.
Among the mourners were notable figures such as Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown and renowned musician Paul Weller. Football legends David Beckham and Gary Neville, both of whom hold a special place in the heart of Manchester United supporters like Mounfield, were in attendance, as was Liam Gallagher, the iconic voice of Oasis.
Gary Mounfield passed away at the age of 63 due to respiratory issues, a complication of the lung condition emphysema, as confirmed last week. His sudden departure came after he was discovered at his home in Stockport on November 20, following a seizure. Despite efforts to revive him by paramedics, he could not be saved.
Tragically, Mounfield’s passing follows the death of his wife, Imelda, two years prior, after a battle with bowel cancer. The couple leaves behind their twin sons, Gene and George, aged 12.
A black hearse, carrying Mounfield’s coffin, departed from Heaton Moor heading towards the cathedral, adorned with white flowers spelling out ‘R Kid’. Among the mourners paying their respects were Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, Oasis guitarist Paul “Bonehead” Arthurs, and Bobby Gillespie, the dynamic frontman of Primal Scream.
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 outside the cathedral: ‘We will celebrate his life like the beautiful human being that he was – he’s a brother to me.’
The coffin – decorated in artwork reflecting the cover of the Stone Roses’ self-titled debut album in 1989 – was applauded as it arrived for the service starting at 11.30am, while the band’s anthem I Wanna Be Adored was played over speakers.
Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield’s coffin was carried out today by pallbearers including former Stone Rosees bandmates Alan ‘Reni’ Wren (left) and John Squire (right) plus Liam Gallagher (centre)
Also seen with the coffin were the Stone Roses’ Ian Brown and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie
Among the mourners was David Beckham, who played for Manchester United – Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield’s beloved football club
Oasis singer Liam Gallagher was also among those arriving to pay tribute
Also attending was former The Jam and Style Council star Paul Weller
Stone Roses singer Ian Brown was seen among the mourners arriving for today’s service
Also there was Stone Roses lead guitarist John Squire
Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie told those attending the service: ‘Mani’s not dead, he’s just gone. He will always live forever in my soul and mind’.
He told the congregation: ‘Mani’s warm and welcoming manner, treating me like an equal, made me feel like a million dollars and I’ll never forget that.
‘No one was too important to escape his laser eye ability to cut the pretentious and self-important down to size, myself included.
‘His ability to make laughter out of any situation was our great value wherever we were in the world.’
Brown told the service there should be a 50ft golden statue commemorating Mani put up in Manchester.
He also said: ‘Mani was like a brother to me , a musical comrade.
‘Beautiful soul and spirit. Mani was able to laugh his way through any darkness. He was the life and soul of any room he was in.’
The bassist’s 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.’
This was the scene overlooking Manchester Cathedral as people gathered to honour Mani
The coffin was decorated in the style of John Squire’s artwork for the Stone Roses’ debut LP
The funeral of Stone Roses star Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield is taking place at Manchester Cathedral
David Beckham is seen holding an invitation to the service, alongside Gary Neville
The Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess (left) was among those arriving today for the funeral
Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs (left) from Oasis was also seen arriving for the funeral service
Mark Berry, known as Bez, a dancer with the Happy Mondays, was among today’s mourners
A framed photograph of Gary Mounfield was seen arriving among floral tributes
Former Joy Division and New Order bass player Peter Hook was among other mourners
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.
Then 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.
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher previously described Mani as a ‘hero’
He was seen in Manchester today looking sombre, alongside his partner Debbie Gwyther
David Beckham (left) and Gary Neville (right) were among those paying tribute
Stone Roses frontman was among the attenders at Monday’s funeral for Gary Mounfield
Former Happy Mondays member ‘Bez’ was also in attendance at today’s commemoration
The singer Rowetta, who also worked with the Happy Mondays, is seen attending today
Rowetta paid tribute to Mani on X, saying: ‘Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him’
Ex-Manchester United stars David Beckham and Gary Neville were among mourners arriving
Former Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim and ex-Smiths drummer Mike Joyce also attended
Also there was former Inspiral Carpets keyboardist and frontman Clint Boon
Guy Garvey, Radio 6 Music presenter and singer for fellow Manchester band Elbow, arrived
A funeral director places a framed photo of Mani beside his coffin in the rear of the hearse as it arrives for his funeral
Mike Joyce, drummer with 1980s Manchester group the Smiths, was seen arriving on Monday
Mourners watching on outside Manchester Cathedral saw a hearse carrying this floral tribute
Also there on Monday was Ian McCulloch, singer with indie band Echo & the Bunnymen
This badge paying tribute to Mani was worn by one mourner
Mods on scooters escort the cortege to the funeral service of Gary Mounfield
Mani’s former bandmate and Stone Roses guitarist John Squire was seen outside the cathedral
Flowers reading ‘Mani’ are seen in the hearse on arrival for the Manchester Cathedral service
Another floral tribute reads an affectionate message of ‘R KID’
Sir David Beckham is seen entering Manchester Cathedral for Monday’s ceremony
The coffin was applauded as it arrived at Manchester Cathedral for the 11.30pm service
Fans lined the streets of the city to pay their own tributes to Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield
The hearse bearing his coffin is seen arriving at Manchester Cathedral on Monday morning
A parade of scooters accompanying the procession carried their separate tributes to Mani
This scooter honoured both Mani and his wife Imelda who died of bowel cancer two years ago
A banner honoured Mani while also referencing his favourite team Manchester United
Clint Boon from fellow Manchester band the Inspiral Carpets is seen at today’s funeral
Mark Berry, better known as Bez, from the Happy Mondays, was pictured outside the cathedral
Also there was another of Mani’s former Stone Roses bandmates, guitarist Aziz Ibrahim
The Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield’s died last month aged 63
Also there was musician and journalist John Robb, formerly of the band the Membranes
John Squire, Mani, Ian Brown and Reni of The Stone Roses (pictured L-R on October 2011)
Mani’s wife Imelda (pictured in 2013) died from cancer two years ago – they are survived by their 12-year-old sons, Gene and George
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.
Among those turning out on Monday was former Coronation Street actress Sally Lindsay
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was among the mourners at Mani’s funeral
Pallbearers carry the coffin of Gary “Mani” Mounfield, former member of rock bands The Stone Roses and Primal Scream
The design of the coffin reflected the artwork for the Stone Roses’ debut album from 1989
Liam Gallagher and his partner Debbie Gwyther had their head bowed when arriving
Many people lined the streets of Manchester ahead of the ceremony at the city’s cathedral
The Stones Roses’ Reni, Mani, Ian and John are photographed in a London studio in July 1990
Mani was last pictured at the funeral of Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral in October
His brother Greg announced on Facebook: ‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. Gary Mani Mounfield RIP’
Lead singer Ian Brown shared this post on Twitter
The Stone Roses took to X to share a photo of Gary playing the bass when he died and wrote: ‘RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for. X’
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.’
