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The Stone Roses' Gary 'Mani' Mounfield's death came just days after the second anniversary of his late wife Imelda's passing from bowel cancer.
The couple, who were married for around 25 years, are survived by their 12-year-old twin boys, Gene Clarke and George Christopher.
The sadness behind the scenes continues as Mani also recently celebrated his 63rd birthday without Imelda on November 16.
Imelda died age 52 on November 18, 2023, three years after she received her stage four cancer diagnosis, it was announced by Happy Mondays singer Rowetta.
Writing on X - formerly known as Twitter, she said: 'So beautiful, so brave, so LOVED. We're all going to miss you Imelda Mounfield All my thoughts and love to Mani and your beautiful, precious boys and love to all Imelda's family and friends.'
Mani met Imelda during the recording sessions for The Stone Roses' second album, Secoming Coming, between 1992 and 1994 at Forge Studios in Oswestry, Shropshire, and Rockfield Studios near Monmouth, Wales.
During Imelda's illness, the couple became very active in charity and in December 2022, Mani and Imelda held an auction of music memorabilia and raised more than £100,000 for cancer charities.
Imelda spoke publicly about how cancer affected not just her, but everyone around her: 'Cancer affects not just the person who has it, but everyone around them…
'I hope that by investing in some more research, we can help alleviate some of the devastation caused to families.'
Mani's support for Imelda during her illness was significant, as it was said to be very emotionally invested in her fight at the time.
Mani's brother, Greg, confirmed the sad news of his own passing 'with the heaviest of hearts' on Thursday. No cause of death has been announced.
He wrote: 'It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother. Gary Mani Mounfield RIP'.
He added in the comment section: 'Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda'.
Gary is understood to have died at his home in Heaton Moor Stockport after collapsing following a seizure. Family sources say that an ambulance was called but he couldn't be revived.
Liam Gallagher and Shaun Ryder led tributes to bassist Mani, who also played for Primal Scream.
Oasis star Liam, who was a close friend of Mani's, took to X and wrote: 'In total shock and absolutely devastated on hearing the news about Mani my hero. RIP.'
Happy Mondays star Shaun shared a photo of the pair together and wrote: 'RIP Mani - my heartfelt condolensces to his twin boys and all of his family.'
Mani's bandmate, and Stone Roses lead singer, Ian Brown wrote: 'REST IN PEACE MANi X.'
Shaun's Happy Mondays bandmate Rowetta also paid tribute to the Fool's Gold hitmaker, who was also known for his work with Primal Scream.
She wrote on X: 'Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him.'
Elsewhere Kasabian drummer Ian Matthews wrote: 'So sad to learn of the passing of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield. He was a true gentleman, and a wonderful musician. A massive legend!'
Kasabian also shared a tribute on their official band account, writing: 'Sad and shocked to hear the news.
'RIP Mani. Beautiful man, Manchester Icon, a huge talent with huge heart and one of our first industry supporters as a band. You will be missed massively X'
Rock band Echo & the Bunnymen said: 'I'm absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother. I am in shock to be honest. Please tell me I'm just having a bad, bad dream. My thoughts and feelings and Manilove to all of his family from me Mac Bunnyman Xxx ❤️.'
'RIP Mani. X ❤️,' said Oasis co-founder and guitarist Paul Arthurs.
Joy Division bassist and founder Peter Hook meanwhile said: 'Oh God. Mani… words just fail me this time, they really do. I cannot believe it. Sending all my love to his family. This is so sad. RIP mate. Love Hooky. X'
Meanwhile, Fans of the bassist quickly flooded social media, with some saying they felt 'hollow' after learning the beloved rocker had passed away.
ART for MCR, an organisation raising money for Manchester charities through musical events, noted the city's beat 'won't ever be the same'.
Sharing an image of the musician, they wrote: 'Unreal this. Absolutely numbed us. We're gutted to hear of the passing of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield — a true giant of this city and a massive influence on anyone who's ever picked up a guitar or stepped on a stage round here.
'Honestly, The groove, the attitude, the spirit… he shaped so much of the music that shaped us.
'This one really hurts. Everyone proper proper loved him. I remember crying my eyes out watching them at the Heaton Park gigs.
'All our love goes out to the Mounfield family, the Roses community, and everyone feeling this loss today. Rest easy Mani. Manchester's beat won't ever be the same.'
Others wrote: '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. Your annoying nephew.'
'RIP Mani My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.'
'Proper gutted to hear the sad news of Gary 'Mani' Mounfield passing. One of the nicest fella's in music you could meet, was great crack when he came up here DJ'ing several times. RIP.'
'RIP to a true legend of the Manchester music scene, Gary Mani Mounfield.'
'Really sad news about Mani. I met him a couple of times and he was really sound, a proper lad. Me and the Mrs saw the Stone Roses at Heaton park in 2012 and it was a great night. RIP.'
'A true legend helping create some of the most iconic tunes about today, absolutely gutted.'
Mani shared his final social media post on November 13, advertising The Stone Roses, Primal Scream, and Me: An Intimate Evening with Gary 'Mani Moundifled'.
The planned tour was to kick off on September 16 2026 and take in dates all over Britain.
Alongside the post, Gary wrote: 'I think I'm embarking on what could be my final road trip….. Getting too old now…. Anyway, theres a lot to go at…. Anybody wanting to hear slaggings off of bandmates … or titbits of dirt, conjecture & gossip…. Im not that guy… I will be giving my skewed vision of my own life, I never did, and would never rat on my compadres… hope you come out and say hello!'
Only six days ago, Mani announced an intimate conversation tour on the band's website.
He was due to recount his experiences at various venues across the UK between September 2026 and June 2027, looking back on moments such as the iconic 1990 Spike Ilsnad gig, as well as the Stone Roses' comeback stadium tour.
It said of Mani's project: '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.'
Alongside her husband, Imelda raised funds for charity by organising auctions of items from David Beckham and Oasis.
She told the BBC: 'I just don't want to be sat thinking about cancer and illness all the time, because it is all-consuming.
'And this was just a way to balance that out - to give myself something else to think about but something positive.'
'Sometimes I have bad days and demon days and I'll have side effects. And other times people haven't got a clue that I'm ill because I try and carry on as best as I can.'
Mani, from Crumpsall in Manchester, rose to fame after joining The Stone Roses in the 1980s.
Playing on both of the band's albums, Mounfield was in the Stone Roses until they disbanded in 1996, later joining Primal Scream. In 2011, he announced that he had left Primal Scream to reform the Stone Roses.