Hailing from Manchester, he shot to fame after the release of his band’s debut studio album in 1989 and played a major role in shaping the Britpop era of music. 

But after just a few years the band began to fall apart after several lineup changes and a lengthy legal battle over their recording contract. 

On the eve of a world tour in April 1995, one member quit, followed by another the following year. 

They committed a final few shows, including a disastrous show at Reading Festival, before disbanding shortly afterwards. 

After months of rumours they reformed in 2011 and kicked off a world tour in 2012, finally releasing new material in 2016, but their reunion was short lived.  

Now with a full head of grey hair, this frontman looks a far cry from the 90s shaggy, mullet-style look for which he was known – but do you know who it is?

He shot to fame after the release of his band’s debut studio album in 1989 and played a major role in shaping the Britpop era of music – but looked unrecognisable this week

It’s Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown. 

Now 62, he has been working on his solo career since the band confirmed their split in 2019. 

Ian rose to fame as frontman of the The Stone Roses, alongside guitarist John Squire, bassist Mani and drummer Reni – forming the band in 1983 in Manchester before releasing their iconic eponymous debut album six years later.

Following a legal wrangle with their record label the band returned with sophomore album Second Coming in 1994, before parting ways in 1996.

Ian went on to enjoy a successful solo career, releasing seven studio albums to critical acclaim and winning numerous awards before reuniting The Stone Roses. 

In the 15 years after the split, Ian repeatedly blamed his songwriting partner and guitarist John Squire for the band’s demise. 

He once said: ‘If I was in the gutter and my kids lived on the curb, I’d go and get a job at B&Q before I’d reform the Roses.’

Meanwhile, John claimed: ‘I’d rather remove my liver with a teaspoon than reform the Roses.’

It’s Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown. Now 62, he has been working on his solo career since the band confirmed their split in 2019 (pictured with his son)

Ian rose to fame as frontman of the The Stone Roses, alongside guitarist John Squire, bassist Mani and drummer Reni – forming the band in 1983 in Manchester (pictured in 1990)

Following a legal wrangle with their record label the band returned with sophomore album Second Coming in 1994, before parting ways in 1996 (Ian pictured in 2012)

However the pair’s friendship did rekindle when in 2011 when they attended the funeral of guitarist Mani’s mother. Over that summer, Ian was also reconciled with drummer Reni.

The hitmakers then reformed in 2012 for a series of massive outdoor concerts and continued to play shows until 2017.

In 2023, Ian performed at the Warehouse Project in Manchester, where a less than partisan audience watched him struggle to sing in tune. 

In video footage shared across social media, Brown – one of numerous special guests on the night – appeared to falter while performing his 2001 solo single F.E.A.R.

In the absence of a live band, the star perplexed onlookers by singing along with a backing track, but his characteristically raspy vocals veered dangerously off-key as the song reached its climax.

It came after Ian suffered a wave of backlash following a Leeds gig in September 2022 – described by fans as a ‘karaoke show’.

The Stone Roses star was slammed as he took to the 02 Academy stage without a band, singing to just a backing track.

Writing that he had ‘completely lost the plot’, fans were left irate after paying up to £50 for tickets to the sold out show – which kicked off his UK tour.