Manchester fell silent as music and football royalty came together to say a final goodbye to Stone Roses legend Gary “Mani” Mounfield, whose funeral was held at Manchester Cathedral on Monday.
A black hearse carrying Mani’s coffin travelled through Heaton Moor before arriving at the cathedral, adorned with white flowers spelling the affectionate nickname “R Kid” — a final nod to his Manchester roots and the deep love felt for him across the city.
Among those paying their respects were David Beckham and Gary Neville, representing Mani’s beloved Manchester United, alongside Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher, Paul Weller, Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie and a host of musicians who shaped the city’s sound. Stone Roses bandmates Ian Brown and John Squire were also present, joining mourners from across the music world.
Speaking about the loss of his longtime friend, Ian Brown said they would celebrate Mani’s life “like the beautiful human being that he was,” describing him as a brother whose presence could never be replaced.
Mani died peacefully in his sleep aged 63 at his home in Stockport, following ongoing respiratory issues linked to emphysema. His death came just two years after the loss of his wife Imelda, who passed away from bowel cancer after 25 years of marriage. The couple leave behind their 12-year-old twin sons, Gene and George.
Tributes have continued to pour in since his passing, with Liam Gallagher previously calling Mani “my hero” and bands across generations crediting him as both a musical giant and a deeply kind soul. As the city gathered inside Manchester Cathedral, the overwhelming feeling was not just grief, but gratitude — for the music, the memories, and the man Manchester proudly called its own.
