Paul (Wags) Wagstaff, former guitarist for Happy Mondays and Black Grape has passed away at 60.
Forming Paris Angels in 1990, Wagstaff became a renowned figure within Manchester’s music scene through his sonic characterisation of amalgamating both indie-rock guitar music with components of the acid house scene. These soundscapes were particularly evident in singles ‘Perfume’ and ‘Scope’, which successfully married the funky side of indie music with traditional dance music. This time now known as the ‘Madchester’ era would solidify the guitarist’s legacy in music, even granting him a place in Shaun Ryder and Bez’s band Black Grape in 1993, playing on their debut ‘It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah’ (1995) and ‘Stupid Stupid Stupid’ (1997), before their disbandment in 1998.
Wagstaff would join forces with the pair again during a revised version of Happy Mondays in 1999, replacing their former-guitarist Mark Day. This reunion would see the band release comeback single ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’, which peaked at Number 24 on the UK Singles Chart, and provide support for Oasis during their 2000 tour.
As of yet, the circumstances surrounding the legendary guitarist’s death have not been revealed. Although it was known that Wagstaff was working on a new project with his long-term partner and Royal Shakespeare Company actor Tamara Smith.
In wake of Wags’ death, a plethora of tributes have been posted online from friends, family, band mates and fans alike.
Bez (otherwise known as Mark Berry), a friend and Happy Mondays and Black Grape bandmate, took to Instagram to post a nostalgic shot of Black Grape alongside the caption: “Mr Paul Wagstaff (Wags), remembering the good times. RIP my friend.”
Later this year, Black Grape will be touring the UK for the 30th Anniversary of their debut ‘It’s Great When You’re Straight… Yeah’, which has left fans hoping the group will pay tribute to their late-guitarist.
R.I.P Paul ‘Wags’ Wagstaff guitarist with Manchester bands Paris Angels and of Course Blackgrape .and more recently Happy Mondays . Like asking where the music goes when it stops playing – that Manchester vibe Paul was a part of will always be in ‘the area’… pic.twitter.com/N45ZxuSgKS
— terry christian (@terrychristian) March 22, 2025
Joining tributes, Broadcaster Terry Christian, shared: “R.I.P Paul ‘Wags’ Wagstaff guitarist with Manchester bands Paris Angels and of Course Blackgrape , and more recently Happy Mondays . Like asking where the music goes when it stops playing – that Manchester vibe Paul was a part of will always be in ‘the area'”
The tributes surrounding the passing of Paul Wagstaff, the remarkable guitarist, have shed a light on his sonic and personal legacy as a forever-iconic figure of Manchester’s music scene.
