Known as "Australia's King of Rockabilly", the warmth, charisma and magnetism of Ian B. MacLeod shines through whether he's dressed in black leather belting out "Blue Suede Shoes" or in rhinestones and fringes crooning "Love Song of the Waterfall". Performing at over two hundred concerts a year, supported by his band "The Rockabilly Express" and his singer/dancers "The Living Dolls", Grandmas through to teeny-boppers love his style; young musicians look to him for advice; greats like Frank Ifield and Alan Dale admire and respect his professionalism. The ultimate accolade came in 1988 when Ian recorded his seventh album "Thank You, Mr. Perkins" - a tribute to THE "King of Rockabilly", Carl Perkins - who personally wrote from Jackson, Tennessee to say, "I've listened to your album, man, I'm very impressed, it sounds great...."
Following Carl's untimely death in January, 1998, Ian rereleased the album on CD & with the support of his band, "Rockabilly Express" & "The Living Dolls" has put together "Blue Suede Shoes" a wonderful tribute show to Carl Perkins - The Godfather of Rockabilly.
Another of Ian’s shows, "A Tribute to Slim Whitman" depicts Ian at his Country best with a fabulous array of Whitman classics, showcasing his three octave range & featuring all the great hits from one of country music’s best-loved icons.
In 2005, during his tour of New Zealand, Ian released a new album, “Blue Misty Mountains” which includes eight Australian written songs, one of which, “The Ellenborough Falls” was released in the US on a compilation CD & consequently received massive airplay in Europe & Scandinavia soaring to #1 on the Swedish Country Music Charts.
From Mt. Gambier in South Australia, to Townsville in Queensland, Ian has stunned audiences with his incredible portrayal of “Carl Perkins” & “Slim Whitman”, playing to packed venues wherever he goes. In 2008 he was one of the major performers at the inaugural “Gympie Country Music Stampede” (later to be renamed “The Maryborough Stampede”) and is now one of the mainstays, appearing each year. Always a welcome visitor to New Zealand, Ian has toured both the North & South Islands on several occasions & in 2008 released his first DVD filmed there during a sellout concert at Eltham Town Hall in Taranaki.
In conjunction with his ever-increasing popularity & an insatiable appetite from loyal fans for new material, Ian released “Easy Lovin’”, an album of Slim Whitman classics in 2010 & a second DVD, “Rockabilly Party”, a live performance filmed in Queensland in October, 2008 featuring all his heroes from the 50’s. 2012 saw Ian celebrate over fifty years in the entertainment industry and to co-incide with this remarkable achievement a CD/DVD package entitled “Golden Anniversary” was released, containing some rare, previously unseen footage.
2012, Ian was back in the studio to record a song, “King Arthur of the Gold Coast”, he had written as a tribute to Arthur Coghlan, the world renowned escapologist. The launch of the single was held at the popular Vault Bar and Grill restaurant on the Gold Coast.
January, 1997 Ian was inducted into Tamworth’s “Hands Of Fame”, June, 2000, into the "Hall of Fame" at the Wintersun Festival on the Gold Coast, in October, 2000 into the "International Rockabilly Hall of Fame" & in 2011 the “Wall of Honour” at LBS Studios in Tamworth. A regular performer at Belrose C.M. Club, Ian was honoured to accept the role of Patron on the sad passing of Smoky Dawson in 2008 - all great milestones in a country music career that has spanned over five decades.