Today isn’t about headlines, hype, or hot takes.
Today is about respect.
The funeral of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, the legendary bassist best known for his work with The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, is taking place today, following his passing last month at the age of 63.
And honestly, mun, the whole music world feels a little quieter because of it.
🎸 THE BASSIST WHO HELD A GENERATION TOGETHER
Mani wasn’t “just” a bassist. That word doesn’t do him justice.
He was a rhythm king.
A groove engineer.
A bloke whose basslines didn’t politely sit in the background — they grabbed you by the collar and dragged you into the moment.
From the euphoric rise of Madchester to the sweaty, smile-soaked chaos of late-night club floors, Mani’s playing was the pulse. Tracks like I Am the Resurrection didn’t just soundtrack a scene — they built one. That rolling bassline still rattles speakers, pubs, bedrooms, and festival fields decades later. 🔊🔥
He played with swagger without showing off.
Power without ego.
And feel without ever forcing it.
That’s rare. That’s special.
🌹 MORE THAN THE STONE ROSES
While The Stone Roses carved his name into British music history, Mani’s time with Primal Scream showed just how versatile and fearless he really was. Acid house, rock, psychedelia, rave culture — he moved through genres like he owned the place, because frankly, he did.
Ask almost any British band that came after the late ’80s and early ’90s, and you’ll hear the same thing:
“Mani changed how we thought bass should feel.”
That’s legacy right there.
🖤 TODAY IS FOR FAMILY, BUT THE WORLD REMEMBERS
Today’s service is, rightly, for those closest to him — family, friends, bandmates, and loved ones saying goodbye in private.
But elsewhere?
Records are spinning.
Basslines are humming.
Pints are being raised. 🍺
And fans across the UK and beyond are quietly nodding along, remembering where they were the first time Mani’s groove hit them right in the chest.
Music doesn’t die when the player’s gone.
It lingers. It loops. It lives.
🎶 REST EASY, MANI
Gary “Mani” Mounfield helped define an era, shaped a sound, and left behind a body of work that will never stop moving people.
The groove continues.
The influence endures.
And the resurrection? Eternal.
Rest easy, Mani.
Turn it up loud wherever you are. 🤍🎶🤘
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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