Track of the week: The Stone Roses ‘She Bangs the Drums’

This week there is only one man to honour and doff the cap towards with a heavy heart and nearly a lifetime of memories, special moments, musical awakenings and everything else that came in between from the four-string maestro and force of nature Gary “Mani” Mounfield.

Mani was one of us, with extra added swagger, cheek, laughs, natural cool who was very personable and being someone who wore his heart on sleeve beyond the realms – Playing a paint covered Jackson Pollock inspired bass in his favourite band and ours!

Honestly, where do you start with favourite Mani moments and favourite bass lines?

We’ll go obvious and big! The rolling Manc funkateer rumble intro of “She bangs the drums” is the one that evokes the memories, brings the smile and still and will have a few generations of Roses fans arms aloft heading to a dancefloor belting it out word for word – Inspiring wave after wave of new bands. One of those rare songs that bridged the gap and managed to unify parents and siblings’ musical tastes as one, adored by 3 generations and counting. An anthem that will live on long after our time around and carry the legacy of Ian John Reni and Mani onwards and rightly so.

God speed Mani….You are already sorely missed.

Photograph: Mike Prior/Redferns