About Ian Nelson
Lived 1956 – 2006 (aged 50). Ian Nelson was a British musician.
Ian Walter Nelson (23 April 1956, Wakefield, Yorkshire, England – 23 April 2006) was an English new wave musician, and younger brother of Be-Bop Deluxe singer and guitarist Bill Nelson, whom he accompanied in different musical projects. He played mainly the saxophone.
Biography He was more than seven years younger than his brother , who was present at the time of his birth, on 23 April 1956. Walter, who was a saxophonist, taught him to play saxophone, which would later be Ian's principal instrument.
His first participation was on the Be-Bop Deluxe song from the album (1976). When this band split up, Bill, alongside keyboardist , reunited with Ian on saxophone, and formed , a synthpop band which lasted briefly and was a continuation of .
After split up, spent some time collaborating in his brother Bill's solo career. In 1982, he joined Fiat Lux; during his three years with the band they released a number of singles, and had two minor UK hits, "Secrets" and "Blue Emotion". Fiat Lux gigged England and Europe until they broke up in 1985.
He reappeared in the early 1990s as member of and from 2002 to 2006 was in and . He was also a member of the line-up of a failed reformation of in 1990.
He also worked with Richard Jobson, Level 42, The Sound, Nik Kershaw and Howard Jones among others.
Nelson died in his sleep, and was later found on his 50th birthday, on 23 April 2006, by his wife Diane.
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Important facts
People in Ian Nelson's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Ian Nelson's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ian Nelson?
English new wave musician
When was Ian Nelson born?
Ian Nelson was born on 23 April 1956.
When did Ian Nelson die?
Ian Nelson died on 23 April 2006.
What was Ian Nelson's occupation?
Ian Nelson was a musician.
What nationality was Ian Nelson?
Ian Nelson was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Ian Nelson (musician)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ian Nelson. https://biography.guide/ian-nelson-musician/
MLA: "Ian Nelson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ian-nelson-musician/.
Chicago: "Ian Nelson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ian-nelson-musician/.
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