Sir David Beckham pays respects to Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield at funeral

Sir David Beckham is one of the first to arrive at the funeral of Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, alongside music industry icons.

The bassist, who also played for Primal Scream, died last month at the age of 63, after reportedly collapsing in his home in Stockport.

His funeral was held this morning, with fans encouraged to line the street of Mounfield’s route to Manchester Cathedral.

The Stone Roses’ iconic track I Wanna Be Adored played as friends and family arrived to pay their respects ahead of the service’s start time of 11.30am.

Ian Brown was spotted with his signature long grey hair worn down, joining bandmate John Squire and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie.

Mounfield was part of The Stone Roses from 1987 and performed on two albums until they disbanded in 1996, going on to become the bassist for Primal Scream for 15 years and later rejoining for the Stone Roses reunion.

Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim was seen with Mike Joyce, drummer of The Smiths.

Mounfield was in supergroup Freebass with Andy Rourke of The Smiths and Peter Hook of Joy Division, but they split before releasing their debut record in 2010.

Arriving with Beckham was fellow footballing icon Gary Neville, as well as numerous other music heavyweights such as Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher.

Oasis has often given credit to the Stone Roses as a major influence on them while growing up in Manchester.

Mounfield is remembered as one of the warmest and friendliest musicians of his era, with many praising how genuine he was.

His brother Greg broke the news of his death via a post on Facebook, stating it was ‘with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce the sad passing of my brother.’

He added in the comment section: ‘Reunited with his beautiful wife Imelda’

Imelda, who first met Mani in 1994, died at the age of 52 from cancer just two years ago, leaving behind the bassist and their twin sons.

Bez, of Manchester band Happy Mondays, recalled Mani as ‘a proper one of the boys’, noting that ‘everyone loved him’ as he walked inside the cathedral.

‘We’ve just got a massive history together, sharing a history like that it’s special,’ he added. ‘He’s part of the Manchester heritage.’

The Charlatan’s frontman, Tim Burgess, was also seen looking sombre as he walked into the cathedral.

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