The music world united in grief on Monday as stars, former bandmates and hundreds of fans gathered at Manchester Cathedral to say a final farewell to Gary 'Mani' Mounfield, the legendary bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream.
A Guard of Honour and Musical Tributes
The funeral of the musician, who died last month at the age of 63, was a poignant and fitting send-off. Hundreds of fans assembled outside the cathedral, applauding as the funeral cortege arrived. The scene was marked by a unique guard of honour formed by scooter riders, who adorned their bikes with black bands and photographs of Mani.
As the procession approached, the air filled with the sound of I Wanna Be Adored, one of The Stone Roses' most iconic anthems. The coffin itself was a tribute to his legacy, decorated with the distinctive artwork from the cover of the band's self-titled debut album from 1989. It had travelled around eight miles from Heaton Moor in Stockport to the cathedral for the service.
Stars of Music and Sport Pay Their Respects
The congregation inside read like a who's who of British pop culture. Leading figures from the 1990s music scene were out in force to honour their friend and colleague. Oasis star Liam Gallagher, singer-songwriter Paul Weller, Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie and Happy Mondays' Bez were all in attendance.
They were joined by a host of other notable names from the industry, including Tim Burgess of The Charlatans, Elbow's Guy Garvey, Ian McCulloch of Echo & The Bunnymen, and Peter Hook, former bassist for Joy Division and New Order. The Smiths' drummer Mike Joyce and Inspiral Carpets' Clint Boon also came to pay their respects.
The service also saw figures from beyond music, with former Manchester United stars David Beckham and Gary Neville among the hundreds of mourners. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and actress Sally Lindsay, known for Coronation Street, were also present.
Bandmates Carry the Coffin and Share Memories
The most moving moments came from Mani's closest collaborators. As the service concluded, the coffin was carried from the cathedral by Liam Gallagher, Stone Roses drummer Alan 'Reni' Wren, and guitarist John Squire.
Before entering the church, Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown spoke emotionally about his late bandmate. He described Mani as "a brother to me" and "a beautiful human being". When asked what Mani meant to him, Brown simply stated: "Everything."
Mounfield's death comes just two years after he lost his wife, Imelda, to stage 4 bowel cancer. The couple, who welcomed twin boys in 2012, had endured profound personal loss. At the time of his passing, Mani had been preparing for a UK tour where he planned to share stories from his storied rock career.
Forming in 1983, Mani was a cornerstone of The Stone Roses' classic line-up until their initial split in 1996, playing on both their seminal debut and the 1995 follow-up, Second Coming. After the Roses disbanded, he spent 15 years with Scottish rockers Primal Scream, before rejoining The Stone Roses for their celebrated reunion in 2011. His contribution to the 'Madchester' sound, a fusion of indie, acid house and psychedelia, remains a defining part of British music history.
