Respects paid to late frontman of Happy Mondays tribute act as Shaun Ryder joins tributes

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Marc James Watmough Happy Mondaze frontman tributes dead

Tributes are being paid to the late Marc James Watmough, frontman of the much-loved Happy Mondays tribute band, Happy Mondaze, who sadly passed away earlier this month.

In terms of tribute acts, you won’t find many as adored as the Happy Mondaze, and with that, the news of Marc James Watmough’s death has hit Manc music fans and avid ‘Madchester’ die-hards, specifically, rather hard.

Watmough was the lead singer who played the role of Shaun Ryder for more than a decade as part of the Mondaze – the number one Happy Mondays tribute band in the world – as well as being involved in other musical projects over the years.

His bandmates shared the following statement below on Tuesday, 8 April.

Speaking on social media, the real Shaun Ryder himself joined the procession of tributes online, writing simply: “RIP Marc James Watmough of Happy Mondaze. Sending condolences to Marc’s bandmates and loved ones.”

He is said to have died suddenly last week; the cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Fellow tribute artist Laid (who double as another iconic local band, James) said: “Really sad to hear this. God bless you all. Nothing But Love.”

Music event production company M35 Live went on to add: “Rest In Peace Marc. Gutted to hear this sad news. Remember when I first met Marc with his band New Antics many years ago pre-Mondaze. He was a star. We hit it off straight away – I booked his band New Antics and we became pals.

“Always a pleasure to work with, both with New Antics and later with Happy Mondaze. I recall clearly the day he phoned me, telling me he was putting together a Happy Mondays tribute group and he’d love me to be involved, management or whatever. I didn’t – had too much on at the time but wished him luck…

“He was fired up for it – he hadn’t even got the band together at this stage, but he said he was already working on taking it on tour all over the UK and beyond. Well, Marc – you did it ‘r kid – smashed it. There was never any doubt. God bless you pal.” They shared an even lengthier tribute on their own page.

Several other tribute bands have paid tribute to the talented vocalist and charismatic performer, serving as yet more proof that this particular corner of the music world is a close-knit community that means a lot to those who make a living from it and the thousands who watch them every year.

Our thoughts go out to all of his friends and family during this difficult time.

Rest in Peace.

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Featured Images — Happy Mondaze (via Instagram)