“From a bass-playing point of view, he was the best. Everybody wanted to be him”: Joy Division co-founder Peter Hook on his friendship with Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield – and how groove defined his bass playing

Left-Peter Hook of Peter Hook and the Light performing on the main stage during Kendal Calling 2018 at Lowther Deer Park on July 29, 2018 in Kendal, England; Right-Mani (Gary Mounfield) of the Stone Roses performs on stage, Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, 12 June 2012.

Former bassist and co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, Peter Hook, has reflected on his long-standing friendship with Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield – the Stone Roses and Primal Scream bass player who passed away on November 20, at the age of 63.

The tribute, which Hook wrote for The Guardian, starts by looking back at the first time the two met, precisely when the Stone Roses’ manager asked him to produce the band.