Happy Mondays star Shaun Ryder pays emotional tribute to brother Paul after tragic death

HAPPY MONDAYS legend Shaun Ryder has paid an emotional tribute to his brother Paul, who died suddenly yesterday aged 58.

Paul passed away just hours before the band were due to take to the stage in Sunderland.

Posting on his social media after the tragic news, Shaun wrote: "The Ryder family and Happy Mondays band members are deeply saddened and shocked to say that Paul Ryder passed away this morning 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 x"

Fans were quick to share their condolences on the post, which featured a picture of Paul posing against a rock.

One follower penned: "So sorry to hear this from all at Shiiine on. Thoughts with you all. Four string pioneer...long live the music."

Another added: "R.I.P Paul , another legend gone too soon."

And a third weighed in: "This is sad to hear, condolences to your families, what a mint funky bassist, rest well Paul ❤️".

Shaun and Paul were the original founders of the Happy Mondays and the band have had hits including Step On and Loose Fit.

The circumstances of Paul’s death are not known.

Paul previously struggled with addiction and was open about his use of heroin in the band’s early days.

He said before: "We couldn’t have Calpol for the kids. I’d drink the lot."

Paul hit a low when his youngest son, Chico, was diagnosed with cancer aged just ten.

Paul said of that time: "I found myself coaching him on how to inhale cannabis vapour from a vaporising machine.

"My drug problems are well documented. I nearly lost my life. But it was cannabis that saved my son’s."

Paul also spoke openly about his brotherly rivalry with Shaun – who he started The Happy Mondays with in 1980.

He said: "Yes, Shaun is a lyrical genius but sometimes I look across at him on stage and think, ‘What a knob.

"The wild tales of what we got up to recording our fourth album in Barbados were all myths and spoofs."

Paul went on to say the pair had enjoyed a healthy sibling rivalry since their youth.

The guitarist, who lived in France, said of Shaun: "When I was three he pushed me off my bike and I needed hospital treatment.

"I still have the scars on my hands and it still makes me mad when I look at them.

"It was always going off between us.

"I was around nine when he took a psycho-swing at me with his new golf club and split my head open."