The Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield and his late wife Imelda’s happy 25-year love story ended in a tragedy.
Rock star Mani tragically passed away November 20, almost two years to the day that his beloved Imelda died following a cancer battle on November 18, 2023.
The couple’s death means their 12-year-old twin boys, Gene and George, have been orphaned.
Mani and Imelda, who were married for 25 years, welcomed their sons in 2013. They have recently just began secondary school.
Just 48 hours before Mani died, he paid tribute to his late wife and said how much he missed her.
He wrote: ‘Today marks the second anniversary of my Imelda’s passing. We miss her every day, but we have learnt to adapt to her being in “the next room”. We cant see or touch you, but we feel your presence every day. Rest well my love’.
The Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield and his late wife Imelda’s happy 25-year love story ended in a tragedy (pictured together)
Rock star Mani tragically passed away November 20, almost two years to the day that his beloved Imelda died following a cancer battle on November 18, 2023
And just days later it would be Mani’s brother Greg who confirmed his passing alongside a message that he has ‘reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda’.
Mani died aged 63 after collapsing at his home in Heaton Moor, Stockport, following a seizure. Family sources say that an ambulance was called but he couldn’t be revived.
The bassist will have a service on Monday at Manchester Cathedral at 11.30am, followed by a private committal.
The family wasn’t always riddled with tragedy.
Mani and Imelda’s love story began when they met during recording sessions for The Stone Roses’ second album, Second Coming in 1992.
In the wake of her cancer diagnosis, Imelda and Mani held a number of charity fundraisers and raised more than £100,000.
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.
The couple’s death means their 12-year-old twin boys, Gene and George, have been orphaned (pictured in 2013)
Mani died aged 63 after collapsing at his home in Heaton Moor, Stockport, following a seizure. Family sources say that an ambulance was called but he couldn’t be revived
‘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.’
Mani’s support for Imelda during her illness was significant, as it was said to be very emotionally invested in her fight at the time.
Mani was last photographed at the funeral of his friend Ricky Hatton, who took his own life in September, but less than a week ago he had announced a huge national tour from September 2026 to June 2027 where he would discuss his life in music.
Writing on X – formerly known as Twitter, his friend, Happy Mondays singer Rowetta, said: ‘So beautiful, so brave, so LOVED. We’re all going to miss you Imelda Mounfield All my thoughts and love to Mani and your beautiful, precious boys and love to all Imelda’s family and friends.’
Mani’s brother, Greg, confirmed the sad news of his own passing ‘with the heaviest of hearts’ on Thursday.
He wrote: ‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. Gary Mani Mounfield RIP.’
Liam Gallagher and Shaun Ryder led tributes to bassist Mani, who also played for Primal Scream.
Reni, Mani, Ian Brown and John Squire, the iconic members of The Stone Roses in July 1990
Liam and Mani were close friends and the Oasis star said he was ‘devastated’ by his passing (pictured together at Ricky Hatton’s funeral in September)
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.’
Mani’s bandmate, and Stone Roses lead singer, Ian Brown wrote: ‘REST IN PEACE MANi X.’
Shaun’s Happy Mondays bandmate Rowetta also paid tribute to the Fool’s Gold hitmaker, who was also known for his work with Primal Scream.
She wrote on X: ‘Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him.’
Elsewhere 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’
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’
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’
Mani’s bandmate, and Stone Roses lead singer, Ian Brown wrote: ‘REST IN PEACE MANi X’
Shaun’s bandmate Rowetta paid tribute to the Fool’s Gold hitmaker, who was also known for his work with Primal Scream
Elsewhere 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’
Rock band Echo & the Bunnymen said: ‘I’m absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother’
‘RIP Mani. X ❤️,’ said Oasis co-founder and guitarist Paul Arthurs
Joy Division bassist and founder Peter Hook meanwhile said: ‘Oh God. Mani… words just fail me this time, they really do’
Rock band Echo & the Bunnymen said: ‘I’m absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother. I am in shock to be honest. Please tell me I’m just having a bad, bad dream. My thoughts and feelings and Manilove to all of his family from me Mac Bunnyman Xxx ❤️.’
‘RIP Mani. X ❤️,’ said Oasis co-founder and guitarist Paul Arthurs.
Joy Division bassist and founder Peter Hook meanwhile said: ‘Oh God. Mani… words just fail me this time, they really do. I cannot believe it. Sending all my love to his family. This is so sad. RIP mate. Love Hooky. X’
Meanwhile, fans of the bassist quickly flooded social media, with some saying they felt ‘hollow’ after learning the beloved rocker had passed away.
ART for MCR, an organisation raising money for Manchester charities through musical events, noted the city’s beat ‘won’t ever be the same’.
Sharing an image of the musician, they wrote: ‘Unreal this. Absolutely numbed us. We’re gutted to hear of the passing of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield — a true giant of this city and a massive influence on anyone who’s ever picked up a guitar or stepped on a stage round here.
‘Honestly, The groove, the attitude, the spirit… he shaped so much of the music that shaped us.
‘This one really hurts. Everyone proper proper loved him. I remember crying my eyes out watching them at the Heaton Park gigs.
Fans of the bassist quickly flooded social media, with some saying they felt ‘hollow’ after learning the beloved rocker had passed away
Mani shared his final social media post on November 13, advertising The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, And Me: An Intimate Evening With Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield
‘All our love goes out to the Mounfield family, the Roses community, and everyone feeling this loss today. Rest easy Mani. Manchester’s beat won’t ever be the same.’
Mani shared his final social media post on November 13, advertising The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, And Me: An Intimate Evening With Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.
The planned tour was to kick off on September 16 2026 and take in dates all over Britain.
Alongside the post, Gary wrote: ‘I think I’m embarking on what could be my final road trip….. Getting too old now…. Anyway, theres a lot to go at…. Anybody wanting to hear slaggings off of bandmates … or titbits of dirt, conjecture & gossip…. Im not that guy… I will be giving my skewed vision of my own life, I never did, and would never rat on my compadres… hope you come out and say hello!’
Only six days ago, Mani announced an intimate conversation tour on the band’s website.
He was due to recount his experiences at various venues across the UK between September 2026 and June 2027, looking back on moments such as the iconic 1990 Spike Ilsnad gig, as well as the Stone Roses’ comeback stadium tour.
It said of Mani’s project: ‘He’ll remember ‘Fools Gold’, Wembley Stadium, Ally Pally, court cases, bucket hats, Adidas, ‘Screamadelica’, and the ‘Second Coming’. It’s What The World Is Waiting For.’
Mani, from Crumpsall in Manchester, rose to fame after joining The Stone Roses in the 1980s.
Playing on both of the band’s albums, Mounfield was in the Stone Roses until they disbanded in 1996, later joining Primal Scream. In 2011, he announced that he had left Primal Scream to reform the Stone Roses.
