Secret heartache of The Stone Roses star Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield after devastating death of wife and bandmate tragedy

The couple leave behind twin boys Gene and George
GARY ‘Mani’ Mounfield has tragically died aged 63 just two years after losing his wife.

The Stone Roses legend’s family confirmed the sad news on social media, as tributes pour in for the beloved rocker.

His nephew posted on X: “Unfortunately with sad news my uncle Gary Mani Mounfield from the Stone Roses has sadly passed away today.

“Thinking of his twins and my uncle Greg at this sad time.

“He will be reunited in heaven with his lovely wife Imelda.

“RIP Manni.”

It comes just two years after the rock bassist sadly lost his wife to cancer.

The couple welcomed twin sons, Gene and George, together in 2012.

Mani battled the grief of Imelda’s passing just weeks after former band member Pete Garner died aged 61.

It was reported the bassist also fought a cancer battle before his death in November 2023.

Imelda tragically passed away at the age of 52 in earlier the same month.

Mani told the BBC after her diagnosis he experienced a “whole spectrum of emotions”.

The couple were shocked by the news as Imelda said she had not been feeling unwell.

Mani said: “One day you can be paranoid and flapping and very, very fearful about stuff and then the next day you can see she’s putting in the effort, there’s a pride in the fight of the lady.”

“It really puts you through the wringer… it’s an old juggling balancing act of keeping your own emotions in check while also trying to offer a bit of support,” Mani added.

Imelda, who worked as an events agent, had been diagnosed with stage four bowel stage cancer in 2020.

Before her passing, the mum-of-two worked fundraising for several cancer charities.

She told ITV: “Cancer affects not just the person who has it, but everyone around them, and I hope that by investing in some more research, we can help alleviate some of the devastation caused to families.”

Liam Gallagher and Stone Roses frontman John Squires attended her funeral in Manchester.

Speaking about his relationship with Mani, John said: “Mani and his wife really doted on our girls when they were younger.

“I’ve been in touch with Mani a lot since the first time the band broke up. “We used to go on holiday together, the two families.

“They’d always shower the girls with gifts – Mani still chucks money at them.”

Within weeks of Imelda’s death, Pete, who was replaced my Mani in The Stone Roses, is also understood to have died from cancer.

He was the band’s original bassist but left the group in 1987 to work in HMV and Primal Scream.

He played with them until 2011, until following a three year break the group came back together to play 17 arena and stadium shows across the globe.

In 2016 they released their final two new singles, All For One, and Beautiful Thing.

Former bandmate Ian Brown led tributes and wrote: “The nite before Petes maths and geography O levels we went to see the Clash. Always made me chuckle he did that and of course he made the right decision! X [sic].”

He added: “Few loved music as much as Pete, he been bathing in music since [Sex Pistols’] Anarchy in the UK came out that I can vouch for and Pete was off the scale nice, an old skool nice that ya just don’t get no more! He got that from his lovely Mum! GOD Bless Pete RiP X [sic]”

Pete joined Ian and John Squire in their former band The Patrol in 1980, three years before forging The Stone Roses with guitarist Andy Couzens and drummer Simon Wolstencroft.

NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

Tributes continue to roll in for Mani today, with his rother posting on Facebook: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. Gary Mani Mounfield RIP.”

“They’re on tour in South America and were informed by telephone.

“Likewise with the Stone Roses and Primal Scream.

“It’s an incredibly sad time and everyone is shocked.”

Fellow musician Tim Burgess posted a tribute online: “One of the absolute best in every way – such a beautiful friend.

“Love you Mani xx Never to be forgotten.”

It comes as Mani had been preparing to go out on a solo “in conversation with” tour next summer.

Mani announced his run of live dates earlier this month.

Fans were told: “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 was born and raised in Manchester and left school at 16 to pursue a career in music.

Happy Mondays singer Rowetta posted on X: “Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him.”

Fans have paid tribute online, calling him a “legend” of the industry.

One read: “Mani was the coolest member of the Roses. The lad who knew the score clobber-wise.

“One of those Mancs you’d see around Hurley’s Sports in the mid 80s – and think, yeah, he’s cool.

“A Man United fan who just happened to be a bass guitar genius. One of us.”

Another touching tribute read: “The Stone Roses were the first band that made music make sense to me. We’ve lost a legend today.”

Replying to the rocker’s nephew’s post on X, another fan said: “Awful news, was a top bloke your uncle, always had time for everyone if people recognised him.”