The Stone Roses singer Ian Brown paid tribute to bandmate Gary 'Mani' Mounfield as "always a beautiful soul and spirit" as hundreds gathered for the bass player's funeral in his native Manchester.
The father of three died in his sleep in November at the age of 63. His wife, Imelda Mounfield, died of cancer in November 2023.
Mounfield's friend and bandmate Ian Brown spoke at Monday's funeral service at Manchester Cathedral, along with Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie.
Both men helped carry Mounfield's coffin - featuring the cover art of The Stone Roses' classic debut album - from the cathedral as fans packed the street outside.
Brown and Gillespie were joined carrying the coffin by the other two members of The Stone Roses' classic line-up, guitarist John Squire and drummer Alan 'Reni' Wren, as well as Oasis singer Liam Gallagher and Primal Scream guitarist Andrew Innes.
Among the other mourners who packed the cathedral were music legend Paul Weller; footballers David Beckham and Gary Neville; Mark 'Bez' Berry from The Happy Mondays; and former New Order bassist Peter Hook.
Brown told the service: "One thing we can all agree on is Mani was one of the greatest lads we ever met, one of the greatest men we ever knew. Lucky us."
The singer said: "Mani was like a brother to me. A dream as a friend. A true musical comrade."
Brown told mourners: "We all know Gaz lived his life laughing.
"And laughing was his number one pursuit - always looking for the next laugh, a non-stop laugh machine."
He said: "Mani's been in my corner, whatever the situation, for 45 years - non-stop, unconditionally. Always a beautiful soul and spirit."
Brown recounted how his friend had loved the same things all his life: "His family, his pals, fishing, football, [Manchester] United, music, Lambrettas, dancing, clobber, town, and all the usual gentlemanly pursuits."
He said: "He lived a full, a fulfilled, and a blessed life, going round and round the world lifting people up with his bass guitar skills."
Brown said there had been a "tsunami of love" for Mounfield since his death last month.
"He loved everyone and everyone loves him," he said.
"He was the life and soul of wherever he was, making every room he was in brighter."
Brown also told mourners: "Mani wouldn't want us to be broken-hearted. But we all are.
"And we'll never fill the Mani-sized hole that we're left with.
"It's such a big loss, it's hard to find words. Thanks to God we shared our lives with Mani."
There were cheers in the cathedral when Brown told mourners that Mounfield loved Manchester more than anyone.
"Few have done so much for this city," Brown said.
He also called for a 50-foot, solid-gold statue to be erected of the bassist.
Mounfield is regarded as one of the defining bassists of the Manchester music scene. He joined The Stone Roses in 1987 and became central to the band's sound through their era-defining debut album and their influential live performances.
After the band split in the mid-1990s, he went on to join Primal Scream, contributing to a string of acclaimed records across the 1990s and 2000s.
Mounfield performed on both of The Stone Roses' reunion tours, including their 2012 return and their final shows in 2017. His work across both bands helped shape British indie and alternative rock for more than three decades.
In November 2018, Mounfield was honoured by his late mother Anne Patricia Farrell's hometown of Athy, Co Kildare, as part of the town's Made in Athy plaque project.
Source: Press Association
