Singer who defended Russell Brand axed from Hall of Fame induction

The Icicle Works frontman Ian McNabb faced backlash after describing Russell Brand as ‘railroaded’ (Picture: Getty Images/Shutterstock) A musician who defended Russell Brand following his rape conviction has had his Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame induction axed.

Established in the city’s Beatles Museum, the Hall of Fame spans generations of pioneers and artists within the cultural scene.

It’s an honour Ian McNabb had been set to receive as the former frontman of local rock band The Icicle Works, having charted at number 15 in 1984 with the hit song Love Is a Wonderful Colour.

However, the museum has walked back its plans after McNabb, 66, took to social media to defend Brand.

The disgraced comedian, 51, was jailed for 10 years and six months earlier this week after being convicted of rape and three counts of sexual assault.

In a post to Facebook, McNabb said that Brand had been ‘stitched up,’ and described historic victims of rape as ‘the worst.’

In the since-deleted post, McNabb wrote: ‘Russell Brand is being stitched up for his outspoken views.

‘He got close to the target and he has a big audience. I know people who were in his orbit and girls were throwing themselves at him every night.

‘If that happened to me I know what I would do.

‘Yer pays yer money you takes yer chance. If you want to hang out with the artist don’t cry when you’re in the picture.

‘All the chicks who turn up at these situations know exactly what’s going on,’ he added.

‘The ones who decided they were done badly to – ten years after the event – are the worst,’ he signed off.

These sentiments were met with swift backlash, including the cancellation of McNabb’s upcoming shows.

A spokesperson for The Beatles Museum confirmed that plans for McNabb’s induction had been withdrawn, telling The Echo: ‘I can confirm that, under the circumstances, Ian McNabb will not be inducted.’

Gigs in Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh were cancelled, and refunds made available to those who had already purchased tickets.

Ewan McNaught, of Scottish promotions company Renegade Communions, said: ‘I hate cancelling gigs, and it’s the first time in my career that I’ve had to do it, but not only can I not defend Ian McNabb’s disgraceful social media comments in support of Russell Brand, as a husband and a father of a young daughter, I simply can’t work with him moving forward.’

‘I’ve spoken to his agent and to the venues, and we’re all on the same page on this, and these won’t be the only shows on his tour that are cancelled. I’m told another five were cancelled today.’

Including a screenshot of the post for context, McNaught continued: ‘I’d like to emphasise that it wasn’t a unilateral decision. There was broad consensus between agent, promoter and venues that these shows simply couldn’t go ahead under the circumstances.’

In another deleted post shared by The Echo, McNabb said that he had been ‘cancelled,’ writing: ‘It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness and regret that I make this post. I have been CANCELLED and therefore all of my shows for the future have also.’

He said that the supposed cancellation was due to his response to Brand’s treatment – maintaining that the comedian had been ‘railroaded and treated unfairly.’

Admitting that he had ‘committed no crime to my knowledge but understand the upset I have caused,’ McNabb continued: ‘Many of you will know I am aligned with a few of the subjects Brand rallied against and agreed with him on some things, including Big Pharma and the Military Industrial Complex.

‘When he turned on the Epstein Class, his fate was sealed. I fail to understand how many who have done much worse offences continue to roam free without consequence.’

McNabb said that he condemned the ‘treatment of women for sexual pleasure that is not consensual’ as well as ‘the predatory nature of males who do so.’

He finished by apologising to fans who had bought tickets and said that he was entering a ‘period of self-reflection and contemplation.’

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Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.

Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.