The Liverpool Beatles Museum has confirmed that Ian McNabb will no longer be inducted into its Liverpool Legends Hall of Fame, following controversy over his social media posts about Russell Brand.
McNabb, who was born in Mossley Hill, began his career on the club scene in the 1970s before co-founding the Icicle Works in 1980. The band's biggest hit, Love is a Wonderful Colour, reached number 15 in 1983.
Last month, the museum on Mathew Street announced McNabb would be inducted into its hall of fame, which recognises people with a strong connection to Liverpool whose work has shaped its cultural identity across music, film, sport, and the performing arts.
Induction cancelled
A post on the museum's social media pages on October 27 said: "Ian McNabb will be inducted into the Liverpool Legends Hall Of Fame at the Liverpool Beatles Museum - Mathew Street on Thursday the 19th of November. Tickets are not available as it’s a private event."
However, after being approached for a statement on Friday, November 13, a spokesperson for the museum said: "I can confirm that, under the circumstances, Ian McNabb will not be inducted (into the hall of fame)."
Brand posts spark backlash
McNabb sparked controversy last week after posts from his Facebook account supported Russell Brand. After Brand was found guilty of rape and three counts of sexual assault on November 5, a now-deleted post on McNabb's Facebook said: "Russell Brand is being stitched up for his outspoken views."
The post continued: "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, yer takes yer chance. If you want to hang out with the artist, don’t cry when you’re in the picture. All these chicks who turn up at these situations know exactly what’s going on. The ones who decided they were done badly to - ten years after the event - are the worst."
Shows cancelled
Since then, promoters of upcoming shows have removed him from their schedules. Edinburgh-based music promoters Renegade Communications announced they would be cancelling their shows with him.
After receiving significant backlash over the initial post, McNabb's account shared a follow-up post on Facebook, which has also now been deleted. In the post, McNabb said: "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. This is as a result of a post I made about the plight of British comedian/entertainer Russell Brand…"
He added: "I condemned the treatment of Brand, who I feel has been railroaded and treated unfairly. I have committed no crime to my knowledge but understand the upset I have caused."
"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."
"I condemn the treatment of women for sexual pleasure that is not consensual, I condemn the predatory nature of males who do so. Sorry to those who have bought tickets and feel let down, I now enter a period of self-reflection and contemplation. I hope to see you again in the coming years, as I know I haven’t long to do this, I am grateful for the support from loyal fans."
On Thursday, November 12, a spokesperson for Liverpool’s Cavern Club confirmed his December gigs at the venue would no longer be going ahead. The ECHO has previously contacted Ian McNabb for comment on his posts about Brand.
