Manchester bid a poignant farewell to one of its most celebrated musicians, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, the legendary bassist for The Stone Roses and Primal Scream, at a funeral service held at Manchester Cathedral on Monday, December 22. Mani passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 20, aged 63, due to respiratory issues linked to a long-standing lung condition. The service was attended by a host of music and sports icons, alongside family, friends, and thousands of fans who lined the streets.

The service of thanksgiving commenced at 11:30 am, following a heartfelt procession from Mani's home in Heaton Moor, where mourners gathered to pay their respects. An order of service shared poignant images of Mani and his beloved family, including his late wife Imelda and their twin sons, Gene and George. The booklet also featured an iconic image of Mani playing his bass guitar, with pictures of him and Imelda at their wedding and in playful poses inside. After the cathedral ceremony, a private committal service and an invite-only wake were held.

The emotionally charged service saw Oasis star Liam Gallagher join The Stone Roses' frontman Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, and drummer Alan 'Reni' Wren, along with Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Andrew Innes, as pallbearers. Together, they carried Mani's coffin, which was a visual tribute to his legacy, emblazoned with John Squire's iconic splash artwork, lemons synonymous with The Stone Roses, and the 'Bye Bye, Badman' artwork from the band's debut album cover. Additionally, it was respectfully draped with a Manchester United scarf, reflecting Mani's lifelong passion for the football club. As the funeral cortege departed, the spine-tingling anthem "Made of Stone" by The Stone Roses rang out, marking Mani's final journey out of the city centre. Earlier, the powerful bassline of "I Wanna Be Adored" had echoed through the cathedral.

During the service, Ian Brown delivered an emotional speech, describing Mani as "a brother to me" and expressing the profound void left behind, referring to it as a "Mani-sized hole." Brown celebrated Mani's ability to make friends from all walks of life globally and his love for all mankind, stating, "He was the life and soul of wherever he was, making every room he was in brighter." He concluded his tribute by proposing a campaign for "a Mani statue, 50ft high, a solid gold one," adding, "Mani Forever, god bless Mani."

A star-studded array of figures from the music and sports worlds gathered to pay tribute. Music legends included Paul Weller, Oasis members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Andy Bell, Joy Division and New Order bassist Peter Hook, Happy Mondays' Bez and Rowetta Idah, The Charlatans' Tim Burgess, The Smiths' Mike Joyce, Elbow's Guy Garvey, and members of Blossoms and The Courteeners. Football legends Sir David Beckham and Gary Neville also attended, with Sir David movingly approaching the open hearse to touch Mani's coffin after the service. Mani, a devoted Manchester United fan, even sold his prized scooter to attend the 1999 Champions League final, a testament to his dedication.

Mani's passing occurred almost exactly two years after the death of his beloved wife, Imelda, who passed away aged 50 on November 18, 2023, after being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in November 2020. The couple were dedicated campaigners and fundraisers for bowel cancer awareness. They leave behind their 13-year-old twin sons, Gene and George, born in January 2013.

Born in Crumpsall, Manchester, Mani attended Xaverian College in Rusholme before joining The Stone Roses in 1987 at age 16. He remained with the band until their disbandment in 1996, contributing to their seminal debut album and the 'Second Coming'. He then joined Scottish rock band Primal Scream, first featuring on their 1997 album "Vanishing Point" and recording four more albums with them. In 2011, he delighted fans by reuniting with The Stone Roses. Tributes from his peers underscored his impact; Peter Hook lauded him as "the smartest man I ever saw," John Robb called him "the quintessential Mancunian" and "a friend to everyone," and Rowetta praised him as "a great dad" and role model for his sons.

Outside Manchester Cathedral, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a woman was detained and arrested on suspicion of assault. The incident, captured in Press Association pictures, involved a woman in black clothing being handcuffed by two police officers, though the specific circumstances leading to her detention were not immediately shared by police.