A major museum dedicated to The Beatles has followed a Scottish promoter’s lead by ditching plans to induct singer Ian McNabb into its hall of fame.
The former Icicle Works singer, 66, was to be honoured at an annual ceremony at the Liverpool Beatles Museum next week.
The decision to axe him was taken after the museum’s founder learned of McNabb’s comments on social media in which he voiced his support for convicted rapist, Russell Brand.
Following the comments, Scottish promoter Renegade Communications cancelled McNabb’s Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle dates.
Other promoters around the UK followed suit.
The Liverpool Beatles Museum’s founder, Roag Best, said he also had no choice but to follow their lead once he read McNabb’s comments.
Best, who is the half-brother of the original Beatles drummer, Pete Best, said: “Ian McNabb was due to be inducted on Thursday, the 19th of November. He’s not being inducted now.
“I don’t like to follow the crowd. I saw a lot of the backlash, but I didn’t know what his comment was.
“Then I saw what he said on social media and, to be honest with you, I went, ‘Oh my God’.
“We can’t induct him under the circumstances.
“I don’t want to get to the Russell Brand thing, all but I’ve got three daughters and no one can say that sexual assault or rape is okay in any way, shape or form.
“If a woman says no, it’s no.
“Whether they be a groupie or if they’ve been following you for years, trying to get into your bed, whatever it is. When they say no, it’s no. It’s as simple as that.”
Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months on Monday for rape and three sexual assaults. Police say other victims came forward after the judge branded Brand a predator who would serve seven years in prison before being released on license.
Among those who took to social media to criticise McNabb was Scots musician and DJ, Sean Dickson who found fame with The Soup Dragons in 1990, with the hit I’m Free.
Dickson attached a screenshot of McNabb’s comment, posting: “Share this vileness. Ian McNabb from Icicle Works hot take on rape.”
McNabb’s solo shows at Glasgow’s Cottiers and Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms were among those scrapped.
Ewan McNaught of Scottish promotions company Renegade Communications announced the cancellation of his company’s planned concerts in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle on Tuesday.
McNaught 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.”
In one 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 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.” I
n the wake of a backlash, McNabb deleted his post. He later returned to social media in an attempt to explain himself.
In a second post, he claimed Brand’s trial was orchestrated by a shadow government.
McNabb posted: “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 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.”
McNabb, a former child model, found limited success in the 1980s with The Icicle Works who reached No 15 in the UK charts with Love is a Wonderful Colour in 1988, the band’s only Top 20 hit.
After a series of flops, the band split in 1988.
McNabb reactivated The Icicle Works name in 2006 for a series of tours amid rising interest in eighties music.
McNabb had been due to be inducted into the Liverpool Beatles Museum on November 19, alongside entertainers including dancer Shirley Ballas, actors Sue Johnston and Louis Emerick, as well as Liverpool bands Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), The Wombats and Deaf School.
The museum houses one of the largest privately owned collections of authentic Beatles memorabilia in the world, with over 1,000 items on display.