Happy Mondays legend Paul Ryder has passed away on the day the band were due to play Kubix festival in Sunderland.
The group, responsible for indie anthems like Step On, were set to be one of the final acts on stage at the Herrington Park event, with Bez and Rowetta also hosting the main stage, but, early on Friday afternoon, a post appeared on Kubix's Facebook page, informing fans they would no longer be playing.
It read: "We have been advised by the band’s agency that due to unforeseen circumstances, The Happy Mondays are unable to play tonight’s show." Initially the news generated some frustration from fans who'd been really looking forward to seeing the icons in action in Sunderland, but that quickly turned to sadness when news broke that Paul, 58, brother of frontman Shaun, had passed away.
His death was announced on the Happy Mondays' Facebook page, with the band writing: 'The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning.
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'A true pioneer and legend. He will be forever missed .We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time.
'Long live his funk.'
Kubix quickly shared that post on their own page, adding: "We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Paul Ryder this morning and our thoughts are with the Ryder family at this difficult time."
The announcement was quickly greeted by plenty of comments, with one fan responding: "gutted iv been a Mondays fan since the late 80s , thoughts are with the family and band," and another writing: "Sad times…. Thoughts are with All the band and Paul’s family … His music will live on forever."
Acts still set to perform at Kubix on Friday include Lightning Seeds, Undertones and The Rifles, with Shed Seven, Ash and Reef on the bill for Saturday.
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