Rowetta, the Happy Mondays vocalist who left the group in December 2024, is appealing for witnesses of an alleged attack by her former bandmate Shaun Ryder to come forward.
In a series of posts shared on social media last month, the singer alleged that Ryder “punched me”, “knocked me out” and left her with “a black eye” on a Stena Line Ferry in 2000 while the band were en route to play Witness Festival in Dublin. “When I speak about Happy Mondays... it will always be true. I’m not a liar,” she wrote at the time.
She later claimed that she had “never been treated so bad” than when on tour with the group, alleging that she slept on a “16-bed bus with mainly men I hardly knew” while others — including Ryder and fellow Happy Mondays member Bez — slept in “lovely hotels”. She also shared a screenshot of an NME report from the time which alluded to the incident. A statement from Stena Line included in that report said: “A female and one of the group had a fight. The captain threatened to turn the ship around unless they behaved.”
Ryder has denied these allegations, with a spokesperson telling Metro that he was “shocked” by the claims.
Now, Rowetta is calling on anyone who may have footage of the alleged incident, or anyone who was on board the ferry or working for Stena Line at that time, to message her.
In an additional post on X on 3rd March, the Manchester-born vocalist wrote: “I’m speaking to my lawyer this afternoon. I have witnesses, photos and press. It’s not a new story. He [Ryder] didn’t deny it when it happened.” She also claimed that Bez witnessed the incident, alluding to the fact that he did not join Ryder on stage at the Dublin show. The NME report from that time also noted that Rowetta and Bez did not perform.
Yesterday, 4th March, Rowetta shared a post stating: “Anyone who knows my kids knows they would never lie. Neither would I. I do hope Bez doesn’t let my kids down. I’ve always been there for him & his.”
In a statement shared with Metro, Ryder’s spokesperson said: “This matter is now in the hands of Shaun’s lawyers... He is shocked by Rowetta’s reported claims, but in the circumstances there will be no further comment.”
Rowetta responded to this in her own statement to Metro, in which she said: “I would not lie about this. I am seeking legal advice and will be going to the police. I am not a liar.”
Rowetta originally joined Happy Mondays as a vocalist in 1990, featuring on the single 'Step On' as well as the albums 'Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches' and 'Yes Please'. When the band reformed after a lengthy hiatus in 2012, she rejoined, and remained a part of the group until December last year, at which point she left.
At the time of her departure, a joint statement from Happy Mondays and Rowetta said: “Happy Mondays thank Rowetta for her services and wish her the best for the future.”