Ian Brown

Ian Brown

Ian Brown is a singer and solo artist from Warrington, United Kingdom, best known as the former lead singer of The Stone Roses. Born in 1963, he first comes to prominence with the band and later develops a solo career after their split in 1996.

Solo career

Brown releases six studio albums as a solo artist, along with a greatest hits compilation and a remixes release. His solo work includes twelve UK top 40 singles, and two of those reach the UK top five: My Star and Dolphins Were Monkeys. He sells over 9 million albums as a solo performer.

Collaborations and releases

He collaborates with Noel Gallagher on Keep What Ya Got in 2005. He also works with U.N.K.L.E. on Be There in 1999 and Reign in 2004. His album My Way is part of his solo discography.

Style and influence

Brown is associated with alternative rock, britpop, downtempo, indie rock, neo-psychedelia and rock. He is regarded as an influential figure, with artists including Oasis, The Verve, Blur, Kasabian and Arctic Monkeys named among those influenced by him. He is also known for his distinctive appearance, including his changing hairstyles and his clothing style during his Stone Roses years and later in his solo career.

Stone Roses connection

During his time with The Stone Roses, Brown uses a range of looks, from a blonde mohawk and short hair in the early years to a big-haired style, a bob cut, a skinhead look and later long shaggy hair with a fringe. He is also known to perform Stone Roses songs at gigs after the band’s split. A reunion depends in part on the involvement of guitarist John Squire, who has said he wants to focus on painting rather than music.

Other details

Brown is nicknamed King Monkey, a name attributed to Mathew Priest, drummer of Dodgy. He is associated with the label Ibex Songs.