A FURIOUS public row has erupted within the Happy Mondays – with backing singer Rowetta claiming frontman Shaun Ryder “punched her”.
In a series of explosive messages posted on X, Rowetta — who left the band after 34 years in December — wrote: “When I speak about Happy Mondays, it will always be true. I’m not a liar.
“Shaun Ryder punched me, knocked me out & there were lots of witnesses & my son had to see me with a black eye.”
She added: “I’ve said nothing for years.
“They should be thanking me for keeping it quiet and not calling the cops instead of calling me a liar and threatening me with legal.”
I approached Shaun’s team with Rowetta’s allegation and they told me: “Shaun is shocked and dismayed to hear of Rowetta’s claim, which is particularly hurtful as it comes from someone who, until she left the Happy Mondays at the end of last year, was an important member of their family.
“For more than 25 years Rowetta was treated with love and respect by the band, its crew and representatives.
“Given her claim however, Shaun has had no choice other than to place the matter in the hands of his lawyers.”
Insiders told me the outburst came after Rowetta was told band member Bez’s wife Firouzeh would be taking over as the band’s singer.
They posted a statement at the time which read: “Happy Mondays and Rowetta announce that Rowetta will no longer be performing with the band. Happy Mondays thank Rowetta for her services and wish her the best for the future.”
And on Saturday night, the same night as Rowetta’s shock allegations, Happy Mondays performed at the Salford Community Stadium to celebrate rugby side Salford Red Devils’ first Super League home game of the season.
Firouzeh was seen on stage with Shaun and Bez, performing the vocals usually taken on by Rowetta.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Happy Mondays’ Shaun Ryder’s relatives revealed in Fame in the Family” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6300846955001″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]A source close to the band said: “Shaun and Bez have worked with Rowetta for over 30 years but Firouzeh is taking over as their vocalist with Shaun.
‘It has turned very ugly’
“The band first talked about bringing Firouzeh in back in January as they are starting work on a new record.
“The decision came when they decided their time with Rowetta had come to an end.
“Rowetta is clearly very angry about the whole thing.
“It has turned very ugly, very quickly.
“Firouzeh is keeping her head down and just wants to crack on.
“No one expected this to get as messy as it has.”
Bez — real name Mark Berry — confirmed to me earlier this month that the group were pushing ahead with a new album, their first original songs since 2007, with the backing of their manager, former Creation Records and Oasis supremo Alan McGee.
Bez told me: “It’s going to be visionary.
“It’s going to be massive.
“I want to hear the most magic s**t you have ever heard.
“I’m sure we can deliver it.”