Nice words 👌
Mani's passing has really thrown me to be honest. I didn't know him, never met him yet the positive influence he had on my life is massive. I saw the Roses live in 1990 before I became a musician and for me, Mani stole the show (no easy feat considering the company he was with). I couldn't take my eyes off him. I decided that day that I was going to be a bass player. I sold my car, bought a bass and amp and stayed in for nearly 2 years going at it.
Growing up, none of my family were musicians, my folks didn't even listen to music yet along came the Stone Roses and kind of gave me permission to follow my dreams and be in a band. I can't stress how much that meant. Their interviews were as good as the album and equally inspiring.
Right time, right place and I was the right age (17/18). I suppose they were like my generation's Sex Pistols in a way. Everyone who saw them picked up instruments and formed bands.
Mani was the everyman firebrand who made the Roses so relatable to so many.
It's wonderful to see how loved he is these past few days. Hard to accept that someone that seemed larger than life with so much talent, character and infectious positivity is gone. Right at the time he was planning on making waves again and start getting back out there. Seems so unfair. But such is life...
I have been smiling a lot at one memory though...
I was right at the front for his first gig in Manchester with Primal Scream, his "homecoming" and comeback all in one.
He came out wearing a Man Utd shirt and his Rickenbacker, massive cheeky grin as he started playing the first couple of bars of 'Adored for fun and the place erupted!
All chanting Mani! Mani! Mani! for a very long time. He had to tell everyone to calm down so they could start the show! Bloody brilliant!
So long superstar x