Happy Mondays’ Paul Ryder dies aged 58 just hours before performance

Paul Ryder’s family have announced that the Happy Mondays’ co-founder has passed away.

A statement shared on the group’s official Facebook read: “The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning.

“A true pioneer and legend. He will be forever missed.

“We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time.”

Paul’s brother, Shaun Ryder, shared the same message on his Instagram, adding: “Long live his funk x”. The post was accompanied by a photo of Paul.

It’s not known how the bassist died but it has been reported that he was found just hours before he was set to perform at Kubix Festival in Sunderland.

Paul Ryder, pictured in 2009, has died aged 58 (Image: Getty) Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles

Paul co-founded Happy Mondays in Salford in 1980. The original line-up was Shaun, Paul, Gary Whelan on drums, Paul Davis on keyboard and Mark Day on guitar.

The band eventually disbanded in 1993 after experiencing success with Bummed (1988), Madchester Rave On (1989) and Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches (1990).

The talented guitar player even tried his luck with acting, going onto appear in The Ghosts of Oxford Street, Losing It and a film about his band, 24 Hour Party People.

Shaun reposted the statement from the group’s Facebook page along with a photo of Paul (Image: Shaun Ryder / Instagram)

In 2019, Paul hit out at his brother Shaun for being a “knob”. He told the Mirror: “Our Shaun should change his name by deed poll to Walter Mitty. I’m gonna need four years away from them all to get over it.

Talking of the late Factory Records co-founder Tony Wilson, he said: “Tony told the world we were scum and that was how he marketed us.

“Sure, we took loads of drugs and had a good time. But Shaun went over the top. He started telling lies and spoofing me. He loves the limelight and hijacks history to make out he was first to do this, that, the other.

“For 30 years I’ve bit my tongue. But not any more. The tour is starting, our fans are back and people deserve to know my story.

“Yes, Shaun is a lyrical genius but sometimes I look across at him on stage and think, ‘What a knob.’”

Shaun Ryder posted a tribute to his brother, adding: “Long live his funk x” (Image: Shaun Ryder / Instagram)

The musician had also previously been very open about his drug addiction during his early days in the band.

“It was wild,” he said in 2013. “I was 18 and recording an album. I’d learnt how to read and write at school but my real education began with the Mondays.

“I’d been using drugs since I was 17. If you have the money and the lifestyle it’s part and parcel of the job, especially when people in the industry are giving it to you for free.

“That was especially the case in America. They learned pretty quickly that if there were no drugs, then there was no show.”

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