Shaun Ryder and Bez: A 32-Year ‘Sexless Marriage’ and the Reality of Aging
The bond between Shaun Ryder and Bez is one of the most enduring and eccentric partnerships in music history. From the peak of the “Madchester” scene to their current reflections on health and sobriety, the Happy Mondays duo continues to defy conventions. In a recent candid admission, Ryder described his relationship with Bez as a “sexless marriage” spanning 32 years, highlighting a platonic but constant companionship that has survived decades of chaos.
The Unconventional Bond of the Happy Mondays
Shaun Ryder’s description of his relationship with Bez as a “sexless marriage” underscores the intensity of their lifelong connection. Despite the lack of romantic intimacy, Ryder notes that he is “with him all the time,” reflecting a partnership built on shared history and mutual survival through the highs and lows of fame.
Health Struggles and Candid Confessions
Aging has brought new challenges for both artists, which they addressed during a recent TENA Men event at Smithfield Social in Manchester. The discussion focused on men’s health, addiction and the difficulties of aging.
- Shaun Ryder’s Health: The 63-year-old frontman shared a blunt confession regarding his bladder health, admitting on stage that he struggles to urinate, stating, “I can’t p**s. Three drops.”
- Bez’s Path to Sobriety: Bez, 61, revealed a significant lifestyle shift. After a heavy festive period involving a bottle of tequila a night, Bez announced he has been sober since Boxing Day, having quit alcohol, drugs, and sugar. He reported feeling a return of his energy, stating he is “buzzing again.”
Chaos in Barbados: Reflections from ’24 Hour Party Person’
In his new memoir, 24 Hour Party Person, Ryder recounts the volatile environment surrounding the recording of the album Yes Please!. In January 1992, the band was sent to Eddy Grant’s Blue Wave studios in Barbados to distance them from the drug culture of northern England. However, the move did little to curb their habits.
Ryder describes a surreal encounter during this period where he was confronted by an escaped zoo orangutan, dubbed “Jack the Ripper” by the local press. In a memoir excerpt from The Irish Times, Ryder recalls the animal jumping down in front of him although he was leaving a crack den. The period was marked by extreme instability, with the band spending more time smoking crack, crashing cars, and sinking boats than recording music.
Key Takeaways: Ryder and Bez Today
| Feature | Shaun Ryder | Bez (Mark Berry) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Age | 63 | 61 |
| Recent Health Focus | Bladder health/TENA Men | Full sobriety since Boxing Day |
| Recent Publication | Memoir: 24 Hour Party Person | N/A |
| Personal Life | Constant companion to Bez | Lives on Hereford/Monmouth border with wife and son |
A Legacy of Excess and Recovery
From the ecstasy-fueled days of the Bummed album to the struggle with heroin withdrawal experienced by Ryder’s brother Paul during the Barbados sessions, the history of the Happy Mondays is inextricably linked to substance abuse. While Ryder has historically viewed heroin as a drug that cannot simply be used “at the weekend,” the current focus for both men has shifted toward managing the physical tolls of their past.
As they navigate their sixties, Ryder and Bez remain a fixture of British pop culture, transitioning from the wild energy of the Madchester era to a more vulnerable, honest dialogue about the realities of addiction and the aging process.
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