X Factor legend Rowetta announces she’s leaving Happy Mondays after 34 years
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Rowetta has revealed she is leaving Happy Mondays after over three decades with the popular rock band. The 58-year-old singer joined the group in 1990, along with the original lineup which consisted of Shaun Ryder, Paul Ryder, Mark ‘Bez’ Berry, Gaz Whelan, Paul Davis, and Mark Day.
![[MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 16: Rowetta attends the opening night of new LGBTQ+ Film & TV Festival, SCENE, at New Century Hall on August 16, 2024 in Manchester, England. The festival which runs until 22 August will feature screenings of beloved classics, recent queer content, interviews, Q&As and exclusive premieres of new series, features, and shorts at venues across the city. Funded by Manchester Accommodation BID, SCENE is a Manchester Pride Festival official partner event and takes place ahead of the main Manchester Pride weekend from 23 ??? 26 August. (Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for CityCo)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234126548-a91e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Paul sadly died in 2022 aged 58, with his family calling him a ‘true pioneer and legend’, adding he will be ‘forever missed’. Rowetta featured on their top five hit Step On, which was followed by hit album Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches. In 2004, she took a break from the group to appear on the very first series of The X Factor, making history as the last woman standing that year.
![[Editorial use only. No book publishing Mandatory Credit: Photo by Shutterstock (505286x) Rowetta Satchell and Simon Cowell X FACTOR TV PROGRAMME, LONDON, BRITAIN - 27 NOV 2004]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_220329949-c8e8-e1734967109613.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘Happy Mondays and Rowetta announce that Rowetta will no longer be performing with the band,’ she posted on Instagram. The statement continued: ‘Happy Mondays thank Rowetta for her services and wish her the best for the future.’. Happy Mondays originally formed in Manchester in 1980, with Shaun and his best friend Bez starting Black Grape in 1993 during a hiatus for the group.
![[Editorial use only. No book publishing Mandatory Credit: Photo by Shutterstock (504390r) Rowetta Satchell X FACTOR TV PROGRAMME, LONDON, BRITAIN - 20 NOV 2004]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_220330040-7a4b-e1734967243270.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Rowetta was the second vocalist and percussionist, rejoining the Happy Mondays each time they split; which happened multiple times. In 2012, the full original lineup reformed with Rowetta also back on board for their world tour the following year. She is best known for her X Factor stint, stunning the judges with her rendition of Lady Marmalade and earning a place in the Over-25s category.
![[KINROSS, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 08: Bez and Rowetta Satchell of of the Happy Mondays performs on stage during T In The Park Festival at Balado on July 8, 2012 in Kinross, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ross Gilmore/Redferns via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_234126654-b397.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
