The inimitable backbone of The Stone Roses, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, has died at 63. Smooth and groove-laden, Mani's playing defined the sound of Madchester in the late 80s. His family announced the news on social media, with tributes flowing in from across the music world-a testament to how deeply loved he was.Gary "Mani" Mounfield spanned eras: from early indie glory to the dance rock fusion of Primal Scream, and back again. He wasn't just a musician, he was a storyteller. He was set to tour the UK next year, talking through the highs and lows of his journey. How sad that he never got to take that stage.Gary "Mani" Mounfield: The Man Behind the BassNews of Mani's death came through his brother Greg, who took to Facebook to say how his heart was heavy. He added poignantly: "Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda." Fans and musicians alike reacted immediately: Ian Brown merely said on social media, "REST IN PEACE MANi X." Liam Gallagher called him “my hero” and many echoed that feeling.Born in November 1962 in Crumpsall, Manchester, Gary "Mani" Mounfield left school at 16 and, within a short period, took up forming a band with John Squire and Andy Couzens. That band would eventually become The Stone Roses when Ian Brown joined. His bass work, particularly on tracks like "I Wanna Be Adored" and "She Bangs the Drums", became the pulse of their debut album, which helped push British rock into new territory.Off-stage, Gary "Mani" Mounfield was quietly grounded: He loved fishing, was a die-hard Manchester United fan, and frequently spoke about how music saved him; watching friends fall to addiction made him all the more grateful for the path he found.With Mani, the music world loses more than a bassist. It was a humble figure whose warm presence and dizzying skill could move stadiums and hearts alike. His planned storytelling tour might now be his final performance, though his legacy, in every reverberating bassline and shared memory, will keep him on stage for a long, long time.