Gary “Mani” Mounfield, the bassist whose playing defined The Stone Roses and later Primal Scream, died on 20 November 2025 at the age of 63. His death was later confirmed as caused by respiratory issues linked to long-standing emphysema.
Mounfield, known professionally as Mani, was one of the most recognisable bassists of the Madchester era. He rose to fame with The Stone Roses, moved to Primal Scream in 1996, and later rejoined the Roses for reunion tours. He is not the same person as guitarist Gary Moore, a separate musician with whom he is sometimes confused in online searches.
The news of his death spread within hours, and tributes arrived from former bandmates and peers across the music industry. The confirmed details are now clear in several areas, while a few personal details remain unverified.
What Was Gary Mounfield’s Cause of Death?
When The Guardian reported his death on 20 November 2025, the cause was not yet confirmed. Early coverage held back details until the family had been consulted.
The medical cause became clearer in later reporting. ITV News confirmed that Mounfield died from respiratory issues linked to long-standing emphysema. Manchester Evening News reported that he had been suffering from pneumonia before his death.
Accounts of his final moments differ slightly. One report said he collapsed at his home in Stockport and could not be revived after emergency services were called. Another said he died peacefully in his sleep. Both accounts point to an illness-related death, and police treated the case as non-suspicious.
| Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Who | Gary “Mani” Mounfield |
| What | Bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream |
| When | Died 20 November 2025, aged 63 |
| Where | His home in Stockport, England |
- Mounfield died on 20 November 2025, aged 63.
- The confirmed cause of death was respiratory issues linked to long-standing emphysema.
- He was reported to have collapsed at home in Stockport; emergency services could not revive him.
- Police described the death as non-suspicious.
- One early account said he died peacefully in his sleep.
- His wife, Imelda, died two years before him.
- Details about children and net worth have not been confirmed in public reporting.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gary Mounfield |
| Stage name | Mani |
| Born | 16 November 1962, Crumpsall, North Manchester, England |
| Died | 20 November 2025, Stockport, England |
| Age at death | 63 |
| Occupation | Bassist, musician, songwriter |
| Known for | The Stone Roses (1989–1996, 2011–2017); Primal Scream (1996–2025) |
| Confirmed cause of death | Respiratory issues linked to long-standing emphysema |
| Immediate circumstances | Reported collapse at home; emergency services called |
| Police assessment | Non-suspicious |
| Wife | Imelda (died two years before Mounfield) |
| Children and net worth | Not confirmed in public reporting |
Not every report from the first hours matched. One said Mani died peacefully in his sleep; another said he collapsed at home. The later-confirmed medical cause — respiratory issues linked to long-standing emphysema — is consistent with an illness-related death that police treated as non-suspicious.
Who Was Gary Mounfield’s Wife, and What Is Known About His Family?
People reported that Mounfield’s wife was Imelda, and that he died two years after she did. Family and friends described him as “reunited” with her in the days after his death.
His wife, Imelda
Imelda’s public profile was minimal. The main detail in the reporting is the timing: she died two years before her husband. No further biographical information about her appears in the coverage.
Did Gary Mounfield have children?
Public reporting has not clearly confirmed whether Mounfield had children. Questions about a son named Joe have circulated online, but no major outlet in the available coverage has verified that detail.
Who is Gary Mounfield’s son Joe?
There is no confirmed answer in the public record. Searches for “Gary Mounfield son Joe” surface the question rather than a verified answer, and the available reporting does not support the claim.
Mounfield kept his personal life out of the spotlight. Confirmed public details are limited to his marriage to Imelda and the fact that she died two years before him. Claims about children, including a son named Joe, remain unverified.
What Is Known About Gary Mounfield’s Net Worth and Funeral Plans?
Two questions come up constantly after the death of a well-known musician: money and memorials. In this case, neither has a fully confirmed public answer.
Net worth
No reliable public source has published a net worth figure for Mounfield. The available reporting contains no estimate, so any number circulating online is speculation.
Funeral plans
A later report said mourners were set to gather for his funeral in Manchester, though the exact arrangements were not fully detailed. The Standard’s Primal Scream topic page later noted that Shaun Ryder missed the funeral due to pneumonia, implying the service had already taken place.
Official inquest results, toxicology findings, and any public memorial arrangements had not been fully announced in public reporting at the time the cause of death was confirmed. A medical inquest, public funeral details, and any family statements could settle the remaining questions.
Who Was Gary “Mani” Mounfield? The Legacy of a Legend
Gary Mounfield was born on 16 November 1962 in Crumpsall, North Manchester. He joined The Stone Roses in the 1980s, replacing Pete “Bassie” Erickson, and became the rhythmic anchor of the band’s most celebrated work.
The Stone Roses years
The band’s self-titled 1989 debut album and the 1994 follow-up Second Coming carried his basslines to a generation of listeners. His melodic, driving playing helped define the Madchester sound, fusing 60s psychedelia with 80s dance grooves. His role in that story is inseparable from the legacy and influence of the Stone Roses.
Primal Scream and beyond
In 1996, Mounfield left The Stone Roses and joined Primal Scream, a move that reshaped both his career and the band’s later direction. He remained active with Primal Scream into 2024 and 2025, and was still a member when he died. The Guardian reported that he had also announced dates for a solo speaking tour in 2026, months before his death. That chapter of his career is best heard across the essential Primal Scream albums.
Why was he called Mani?
The nickname stuck from his early music days, and he officially adopted it as his stage name. For most of his career, he was known simply as Mani.
How did the Stone Roses react?
The Stone Roses described him as “the heart of the Roses” in their tribute, a phrase that was repeated widely in the coverage that followed.
What Are the Key Dates in Mani’s Life and Career?
The key dates below are drawn from his biographical record and from the reporting that followed his death.
- — Born in Crumpsall, North Manchester.
- — Joined The Stone Roses, replacing Pete “Bassie” Erickson.
- — The Stone Roses released their self-titled debut album.
- — Second Coming was released.
- — Left The Stone Roses and joined Primal Scream.
- — Reunited with The Stone Roses for a world tour.
- — Final Stone Roses shows, including Manchester Arena and Glasgow.
- — Continued performing and recording with Primal Scream; announced a solo speaking tour for 2026 (The Guardian).
- — Died at his home in Stockport (ITV News).
- — Tributes poured in from across the music world as global media covered his death.
What Is Confirmed, and What Remains Unclear?
Most of the essential facts are established. A few surrounding details are not. The distinction matters for anyone following the story.
The reported event and the confirmed medical cause are not the same thing. The respiratory problems identified in later coverage explain the medical outcome, while the collapse described in early reports was the immediate event witnessed at home.
| Established | Still unclear |
|---|---|
| Gary Mounfield, known as Mani, died on 20 November 2025. | The exact sequence of his final moments, with one report saying he collapsed and another saying he died in his sleep. |
| He was 63 years old. | Whether official inquest or toxicology results will add further medical detail. |
| He died at his home in Stockport. | Full funeral and memorial arrangements. |
| The confirmed cause was respiratory issues linked to long-standing emphysema. | Any net worth figure. |
| Police treated the death as non-suspicious. | Whether he had children, and whether a son named Joe exists. |
| His wife, Imelda, died two years before him. | The future direction of Primal Scream and The Stone Roses. |
Why Did Mani’s Death Resonate Across British Music?
Mani’s basslines were the backbone of the sound that became known as Madchester. His playing merged melody and rhythm in a way that connected 60s psychedelia to the dancefloor energy of the late 80s and early 90s.
The timing added to the shock. He died four days after his 63rd birthday and only months after reports that he had announced a solo speaking tour for 2026. The Los Angeles Times described him as a legendary bassist, a view echoed by Variety and other international outlets.
The outpouring of grief came from figures such as Ian Brown, John Squire, and Bobby Gillespie. His standing is often compared with that of UK indie bassists like Peter Hook and Andy Rourke. His sound emerged from the Britpop and Madchester movement history, and his later work with Primal Scream remains documented on the band’s official website.
What Did the Music World Say After Mani’s Death?
Tributes came from across the music world, from former bandmates to fan boards and public figures.
“Our wonderful brother Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield has passed away. He was the heart of the Roses. We are heartbroken.”
— The Stone Roses, via BBC News
“Rest in Peace Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield. Thank you for being one of the best to ever pick up a bass.”
— All on the Board, via Facebook
“Gary Mounfield (16 November 1962 – 20 November 2025), known professionally as Mani, was an English bassist, best known for being a member of the rock bands The Stone Roses and Primal Scream.”
— Wikipedia
The New York Post referred to him as a legend of British rock, and reaction pieces from other outlets mirrored the same sentiment in the days after his death.
What Is Mani’s Lasting Legacy?
Mani’s legacy is written into the basslines of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, two bands that shaped British rock across four decades. His death at 63 closed a chapter that began in Manchester in the 1980s. For anyone revisiting his work, the Stone Roses catalogue and his later Primal Scream years remain the clearest proof of his influence. His place is secure among the obituaries of legendary UK bassists.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gary Mounfield
How old was Gary Mounfield when he died?
He was 63. Mounfield was born on 16 November 1962 and died on 20 November 2025.
Where did Gary Mounfield die?
At his home in Stockport, England. One report said he collapsed there and could not be revived. Police treated the death as non-suspicious.
Did Gary Mounfield have any other children besides Joe?
Public reporting has not confirmed whether he had children. No major outlet in the available coverage has verified a son named Joe.
What other bands was Gary Mounfield involved with?
He is best known for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. He also worked as a session musician and collaborated with various artists, but those two bands define his legacy.
How did Gary Mounfield get the name Mani?
The nickname stuck from his early music days and he officially adopted it as his stage name. He later became known simply as Mani.
Was Gary Mounfield related to the Gallagher brothers?
No. He was not related to Liam or Noel Gallagher, although he shared their era of British rock and the Madchester scene.
Who was the bassist for Primal Scream before Mani?
Robert Gilbert, who left the band after the album Give Out But Don’t Give Up. Mani joined Primal Scream in 1996.
Is Gary Mounfield the same person as Gary Moore?
No. Gary Moore was a Northern Irish blues-rock guitarist, while Gary Mounfield was the Manchester-born bassist known as Mani.
Daniel Mercer is Urban Affairs Editor at DailyCity.co.uk, covering councils, City Hall, planning, transport and infrastructure across London and major UK cities.