One thing we can all agree on is Mani was one of the greatest lads we ever met and one of the greatest men that we ever knew. Lucky us.

We've all shed a tear. Millions have cried a river. Mani was like a brother to me, a dream as a friend, a dream musical comrade.

I first met Mani in 1980 and he was known as a nod and to this day in my phone as Nod. Always flicking his fringe and always laughing. The same kid then as the Mani the world came to know and love.
And we all know Gaz lived his life laughing. And laughing was his number one pursuit. Always looking for the next laugh. A non-stop human laugh machine.

Firstly intelligent also with a serious side. Interested in any and every subject under the sun at any time.
A lover of the underdog. Mani has been in my corner whatever the situation for 45 years non-stop unconditionally. Always a beautiful soul and spirit. As was his lovely mam Nancy. Everything Mani loved when I first knew him. He loved all his life. His family, his pals, fishing, football, United, music, Lambertas, dancing, clobber, town, and all the usual gentlemanly pursuits.

He lived a full a fulfilled and a blessed life going round and around the world, lifting the people up with his bass guitar skills and around the world again and again. and he lived to do that. And he exceeded his dreams.

Yet at the same time, he was given life's hard knocks and dealt cards that could break others. He kept his pain to himself. Mani was able to laugh his way through any darkness he found. No matter how dark, he always found the laugh.

His raw naughty humor always shining through. Show me the mountain, I will climb it being his mantra.

As you see today, Mani's made friends from all walks of life and from all over the world. Friends with all the bands, all the players, the singers, the crew, the promoters, and the executives.

He loved everyone, and everyone loves him. And he loved everywhere. And he loved all of mankind. And his life and solo wherever he was, making every room he was in brighter.

A friend of mine was backstage at a Rose’s gig, waiting for the coach to the after show in a holding room. He told me the room was packed and filling up fast. It was jam-packed. So when Mani came in, turned to my friend said, "What's this? An episode of record breakers for the most people in one room. Where's Roy
Castle and his trumpet?"

With all the tributes and accolades and the notices and the tsunami of love for Mani, his brother Greg's asked me to tell you about his last Christmas present from Mani. Greg opened his present to find a stage 4 racing tuned Arthur Francis exhaust for a Lambretta Jet 200.

Greg says, "Thanks R Kid, but I haven't got a scooter."

Mani says, "Never mind, Greg. I'll have that for mine."

Mani wouldn't want us to be broken-hearted, but we all are. And we'll never fill the Mani sized hole that we're left with. It's such a big loss. It's hard to find words. Thanks to God, we shared our lives with Mani.

Few love or love this city with the passion that Mani did. And few have done so much with this city. And I want to start a campaign for a Mani statue 50 ft high, a solid gold one.

Mani forever. God bless Mani.