The Sun 16th September 2005



Ian Brown's saucy babes


INDIE legend Ian Brown might be in his 40s but he's got more girls throwing themselves at him now than ever before.

Just last week the solo star and ex-Stone Roses singer was sitting in his car after a gig when he was bombarded by a bevy of babes squashing their bare boobs against his windscreen!

He told us: "I couldn't believe it. I was sitting there minding my own business when I saw these great big boobs staring at me through the glass.

"One of the girls was yelling, 'Come on Ian, do you fancy it?'

"I just thought to myself, this is rock 'n' roll!"

Nine years after his legendary 'Madchester' group split up, Ian's solo career is still going from strength to strength.

The singer, 42, has been banging out solo hits since 1997 and reckons his latest album Greatest is the best record he's EVER produced.

But while he might be one of the UK's best loved music stars, the dad-of-one reckons his life is far from rock 'n' roll.

He revealed: "I don't really go out partying at nightclubs because I'm scared that when I get there, everyone else will be 20 years old and I'll be old enough to be their dad.

"When I was 20 and used to go clubbing, if I saw a 42-year-old guy like me I used to think, "I don't want to be like him!'

"Don't get me wrong, I've not gone soft. I'll still sit there until 8am smoking after a show. But that's as far as I take it."

Despite being a rock 'n' roll maverick, Ian says he doesn't listen to ANY guitar bands.

He told us: "I don't own any new music and I'm just not really interested in bands like Kasabian.

"Everyone talks about how they're the poor man's Stone Roses but I can't see it.

"I don't want to sit here and slag them off but they're like a tribute band really, they're not original.

"You can see that they've sat there and watched our music videos and copied the way we moved. They've got that "Madchester" look but I see it as a bit pointless really.

"I don't think anyone will sit and listen to their records in ten years time, there won't be the same nostalgia that there is with the Roses."

On the other hand Ian's a big fan of Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty.

He said: "I like Pete, he's got problems but he's a really nice lad.

"A while a go, I was speaking to him and he told me he was a massive fan of mine when he was a 15-year-old kid.

"Apparently he came to see the Roses play on Oxford Street and then came and met me afterwards.

"He told me he was shaking like a leaf with nerves and then I put my hand on his shoulder and said, 'You're gonna be alright lad.'

"Pete's alright, he can shoot crack into his eye and I wouldn't knock him."

In their heyday, the Stone Roses had an avid following so it's no surprise Ian's solo gigs attract crowds of nostalgic fans.

"I've literally seen grown men crying at my gigs this year," he revealed.

"They just fall to pieces when I play some of the Roses classics.

"I find it weird and I don't like the idea of being a hero, all I am is a voice for Northern, working class people.

"That hasn't changed and won't change.

"But at the same time I'll often get kids coming up to me after gigs and saying, 'I don't really know much of the Stone Roses stuff.'

"The first five or six rows at my gigs are kids under 21 so they would have been too young to even go to gigs when we were around!"

While Ian's post-Stone Roses career is booming, his ex-bandmate John Squire has had less luck with his band The Seahorses.

The two haven't spoken since the group's acrimonious split nine years ago, quashing fans' dreams of a Stone Roses resurrection.

Ian told us: "I'm finished with the Roses. That was all done and dusted nine years ago.

"Nothing good could possibly come from us getting back together. It annoys me that John bangs on about putting the group back together.

"I haven't spoken to him since the band split up which is sad because I've known the guy since I was 14.

"He hasn't once called me or tried to get in contact, even to just say 'Nice one on your solo record,' so why would I want to re-form a band with him?"

"Anyway, I'm happy doing my own stuff.

"To be honest, my life at the moment is beyond a dream, I never imagined any of this could happen.

"It overwhelms me on a day to day basis."

So, what's next for Ian?

"It sounds a bit strange but I'd like to get into fashion design," he revealed.

"I already create my own trainers for Adidas and that got me thinking.

"I'd like to design jackets and sweaters for men, it would be great!

"I'd like to do a women's line too but I reckon I'll get my girl to do that side of things because if I had any say it would look like hooker-wear!"



Louise Compton





Back To Media