Ian McNabb

Robert Ian McNabb (born 3 November 1960) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. Previously the frontman of the Icicle Works, McNabb has since embarked on a solo career and performed with Ringo Starr, Neil Young/Crazy Horse, Mike Scott (of the Waterboys), and Danny Thompson of folk band Pentangle.

McNabb's first book, an autobiography entitled Merseybeast, was published in October 2008.

Solo discography See Ian McNabb discography & List of songs recorded by Ian McNabb

Albums Truth and Beauty (1993) Head Like a Rock (1994) Merseybeast (1996) A Party Political Broadcast on Behalf of the Emotional Party (1998) Ian McNabb (2001) The Gentleman Adventurer (2002) Before All of This (2005) Great Things (2009) Little Episodes (2012) Eclectic Warrior (2013) Krugerrands (2015) Respectfully Yours (2016) Star Smile Strong (2017) Our Future in Space (2018) Utopian (2021) Ascending (2021) Nabby Road (2022) New Brighton Rock (2023) Fleetwood McNabb (2024) If It Wasn't for the Music (2025) 65 (2026)

Compilations of rarities, demos, etc. Waifs and Strays (2001) Boots (2003) People Don't Stop Believin (2005) Eclectic Warrior -- Demos (2013)

Collaborations with other artists Around the time the "second generation" Icicle Works were winding down, McNabb became a de facto member of The Wild Swans, playing guitar and singing back-up vocals on their second studio album, 1990's Space Flower.

As well, he worked with Ian Broudie on Broudie's studio project The Lightning Seeds, providing backing vocals on the band's first three albums, released between 1990 and 1994. McNabb also co-wrote a total of two songs with Broudie that wound up on The Lightning Seeds' second and third albums, 1992's Sense and 1994's Jollification.

1998 saw McNabb as part of a touring band for Mike Scott and The Waterboys, playing bass and sometimes keyboards. He also had occasion to serve as a touring bassist for one of his heroes, Ringo Starr, whose son Zak Starkey had had an early music industry break in 1988 when McNabb hired him to be a member of a late-running version of The Icicle Works.

McNabb has also contributed guitar on Amsterdam's album The Journey (2005) and Gary Cooke's debut album Songs for Everyday Use (2006).