Shaun Ryder denies “punching” and “knocking out” Rowetta after former Happy Mondays bandmate’s accusations

nme.com:

Shaun Ryder has denied allegations of “punching” and “knocking out” from his former Happy Mondays bandmate Rowetta.Back in December the band announced that they had parted ways with the vocalist and percussionist after 34 years.Rowetta joined the band back in 1990 and was featured on the band’s single ‘Step On’, which peaked at Number Five on the charts.

She went on to appear on their third and fourth studio albums, ‘Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches’ and ‘Yes Please!’, and joined the band for three world tours.At the time of her departure, things seemed amicable, with the band sharing a statement that said: “Happy Mondays thank Rowetta for her services and wish her the best for the future.”Now though, Rowetta has accused Ryder of punching her during an incident that allegedly occurred while Happy Mondays were performing at Dublin’s Witness Festival in 2000.On Wednesday (February 26), she took to Twitter/X to share a screenshot of an NME report published at the time that detailed an alleged fight that had broken out between the two at the festival.Witnness Festival 2000I am not a liar.I also have correspondence detailing everything between myself & the band management during the tour where I was on a 16 bed bus with mainly men I hardly knew.Neetsy & her boyfriend , Bez & his dogs & Shaun + 1 were in lovely hotels.