Today, a poignant farewell for Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the iconic Stone Roses bassist, was held at Manchester Cathedral. The service saw a gathering of rock and sports luminaries, reflecting the profound impact Mani had on both music and sport communities.

Among those in attendance were fellow Stone Roses member Ian Brown and music legend Paul Weller. The event also drew Manchester United icons David Beckham and Gary Neville, alongside former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, underscoring Mani’s wide-reaching influence and cherished connections.

Mani passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 63. It was disclosed last week that he succumbed to ‘respiratory issues’ linked to emphysema, a condition he had been battling.

On November 20, Mani was discovered at his home in Stockport, having collapsed after a seizure. Despite efforts to revive him with emergency medical assistance, he tragically could not be saved.

His passing follows the loss of his wife, Imelda, who died two years ago after a battle with bowel cancer. Mani leaves behind their twin sons, 12-year-olds Gene and George, who now carry forward the legacy of both their parents.

A black hearse containing his coffin first left Heaton Moor, 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: ‘We will celebrate his life like the beautiful human being that he was – he’s a brother to me.’ He was later among the pallbearers carrying the coffin out, alongside John Squire, Alan Wren, Bobby Gillespie and Liam Gallagher.

The coffin – decorated in artwork reflecting the cover of the Stone Roses’ self-titled debut album in 1989 – had been applauded as it arrived for the service starting at 11.30am, while the band’s anthem I Wanna Be Adored was played over speakers.

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.’

Afterwards, the coffin was carried by Gillespie and fellow Primal Scream member Andrew Innes, Gallagher and Mani’s Stone Roses bandmates Ian Brown, John Squire and Alan ‘Reni’ Wren – while Beckham was pictured touching the coffin. 

Songs played as the service ended including Bob Marley’s Redemption Song and Goin’ Back, written by legendary 1960s partnership Gerry Goffin and Carole King. 

Brown’s comments at the service included telling guests: ‘One thing we can all agree on is Mani was one of the greatest lads we ever met, one of the greatest men we ever knew. Lucky us.

‘We all know Gaz lived his life laughing. And laughing was his number one pursuit – always looking for the next laugh, a non-stop laugh machine.’

Brown told the congregation how his friend had loved the same things all his life: “His family, his pals, fishing, football, (Manchester) United, music, Lambrettas, dancing, clobber, town, and all the usual gentlemanly pursuits.’

He added: ‘He lived a full, a fulfilled and a blessed life, going round and round the world lifting people up with his bass guitar skills.”

Brown said there had been a ‘tsunami of love’ for Mounfield since his death last month, adding: ‘He loved everyone and everyone loves him.’

He told mourners: ‘Mani wouldn’t want us to be broken-hearted. But we all are. And we’ll never fill the Mani-sized hole that we’re left with.

‘It’s such a big loss, it’s hard to find words. Thanks to God we shared our lives with Mani.’

And there were cheers in church when Brown said Mounfield loved Manchester more than anyone and that ‘few have done so much for this city’.

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.’ He added in the comments section: ‘Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda.’

Glen was seen being embraced outside today’s funeral by Sir David Beckham. 

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.’

His appearance at today’s funeral alongside former bandmates John Squire and Alan ‘Reni’ Wren came despite past disputes that saw the group split in 1996, with Squire announcing he was quitting – then again, after a 2011 reunion, in 2017. But Brown and Squire were seen embracing outside Manchester Cathedral today.

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.

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 band.

Mani was last seen out in public at the funeral of Ricky Hatton at Manchester Cathedral in October.

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 condolences 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.’