The Libertines have shared archival footage of the band playing ‘Waterfall’ as part of a tribute to Stone Roses and Primal Scream’s Mani, who passed away today (November 20), aged 63. Check out the emotive footage and tribute below.
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Mani, real name Gary Mani Mounfield, originally found fame as bassist for the Stone Roses, joining in 1987 and playing on both their iconic albums, until they first disbanded in 1996. He then went on to join Primal Scream and stayed with them until 2011, when the Stone Roses reformed.
Earlier today, news of his passing was shared by Mani’s brother Greg, who wrote: “IT IS WITH THE HEAVIEST OF HEARTS THAT I HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THE SAD PASSING OF MY BROTHER GARY MANI MOUNFIELD,” he posted on social media, as Manchester Evening News reports. “RIP RKID.”
The news came just over a week after announcing a UK-wide in conversation tour that was set to take place next year.
Now, The Libertines have paid tribute to the bass player on social media, sharing footage from the time they covered The Stone Roses’ iconic hit ‘Waterfall’ during a gig in Manchester in 2024 at the city’s Albert Hall.
Posting the footage on Instagram, the band wrote: “Truly heartbreaking news, this one’s for you Mani.” Check it out below:
Tributes for the beloved bass player have poured in on social media from fans and fellow musicians.
Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown led the tributes with a simple: “REST IN PEACE MANi X”, while The Stone Roses also paid tribute from their official account, writing: “RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for.”
Primal Scream shared a picture of Mani on their Instagram, while the band’s bassist Simone Butler wrote: “Truly in shock at this. An incredible loss to everyone who knew and loved him. The moment u met Mani u loved him. The most brilliant and wickedly sharp sense of humour and the biggest heart and generosity…My heart is breaking for his boys , family and loved ones. Was meant to see him tmro in Manchester.”
New Order also paid tribute, saying: “We are really sorry and shocked to hear of the passing of Mani. He was a great guy, good fun and a father to two boys. Long may he live in the hearts and minds of all his family, friends and fans.”
Courteneers’ Liam Fray shared a heartfelt tribute, writing: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Mani. This is what true sadness feels like. Everyone who knew you will miss you so much. Thank you for the good times, every one of them was a privilege. Thinking of all your family and friends. Rest in Peace Brother.”
You can read these and many more tributes from the likes of Elbow, Richard Ashcroft, Tim Burgees and Peter Hook here.
Elsewhere, Mani’s last performances with The Stone Roses and Primal Scream is being discussed and shared by fans online and on social media.
Mani’s last gig with The Stone Roses was at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland in 2017, and his last with Primal Scream was also in Scotland during Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations in 2011. Check out footage and set lists of both here.
Mani was born Crumpsall in Manchester on 16 November, 1962. He died nearly two years to the day of the passing of his wife Imelda, who died on November 18, 2023. The couple shared twin boys, Gene and George, 12, who were born in January 2013.
In 2016, The Stone Roses released two singles with ‘All For One‘ and ‘Beautiful Thing‘. They remained together for a few years, before disbanding once more in 2017 after the old tensions recurred. It has now been 30 years since the Manchester legends released a record, with their last full-length LP ‘Second Coming’ dropping in 1994.
In 2019, John Squire confirmed the reunion was over for good, telling The Guardian that the band had officially come to an end, and later that year Ian Brown released his seventh solo album ‘Ripples‘.
Mani stayed with Primal Scream until the Stone Roses reformed once more from 2011-2017.
