Imelda Mary Higham (b. 1974), known as Imelda May and previously as her maiden name Imelda Clabby, is an Irish female vocalist from the Liberties, in Dublin, Ireland. Specialising in Rockabilly music, she has a repertoire of covers and self-penned songs.

In 2003, Imelda released "No Turning Back" under her maiden name Imelda Clabby, which has been rerecorded and reissued under her current name.

She is married to band member Darrel Higham. Her sisters are Edel Clabby and Maria O'Reilly. She has one dog and speaks with a tight Dublin accent.

Imelda is the singer for The Candy Box Burlesque Club in Birmingham. She has appeared alongside The World Famous Palookaville! Burlesque Orchestra at every Candy Box show since it started in February 2006.

• In 2006, Imelda featured as vocalist on the Blue Harlem jazz band's CD Talk to Me.

• At the Cornbury Festival in Oxfordshire in July 2007 she opened both days of the festival. Imelda appeared twice again at the 2008 Cornbury Festival, Oxfordshire, England, UK. She played on the Sunday of the 2009 Cornbury Festival, and after her set joined Eddi Reader on stage for a duet.

• Imelda performed on Later... with Jools Holland in September 2008 playing two songs from "Love Tattoo".

• On 4 January 2009, Imelda, along with her husband Darrel Higham, made a guest appearance on the BBC Radio 2 Johnnie Walker Sunday Show.

• On 23 January 2009, Imelda appeared and performed on Ireland's most popular and ever prestigious television show, The Late Late Show, which is the longest running chat show in the world and was presented by the veteran broadcaster Pat Kenny at the time. He has since retired and had his job taken by Ryan Tubridy.

• On 26 January 2009 Imelda and the band also appeared on the Radcliffe and Maconie Show where they played several songs live.

• On 11 February 2009 she appeared on Other Voices where she played three songs from her album "Love Tattoo".

• On 17 March 2009 she received the award for Best Irish Female, and performed live at the 2009 Meteor Music Awards.

• On 29 May 2009 she once again played on the Late Late Show for Pat Kenny's final night on the show.

• On 19 June 2009 she once again played at Arlington Arts theatre in Newbury.

• In June 2009 she appeared on The Colm & Jim-Jim Breakfast Show on 2fm but Colm beat her on his quiz which contained quotes from Imelda's wikipedia page.

• In June 2009 she appeared at Glastonbury Festival in England.

• In July 2009 she opened for Jeff Beck at the Royal Albert Hall in England.

• In July 2009 she appeared at Splendour Festival in Nottingham.

• On 26 July 2009 she appeared at the iTunes Live music festival in Camden

• On 14 August 2009 she appeared on RTÉ's Other Voices Singing 'Johnny Got a Boom Boom' and an unplugged version of 'Big Bad Handsome Man'

• On 5 September 2009 she performed on the Crawdaddy stage at the Electric Picnic festival, Stradbally, County Laois, Ireland.

Imelda has shared the stage with Alison Moyet, Dionne Warwick, Bryan Ferry, Anastasia, The Supremes, Sister Sledge, Scissor Sisters, Madeleine Peyroux, Matt Bianco, Elvis Costello, Jools Holland and Elton John. She didn't actually share the stage with Costello but has reported sharing a toilet with him on one occasion. During a show with Elton John she has said she watched from over a balcony. She also spent four years as a vocalist in Mike Sanchez's seven-piece rhythm and blues band. In 2009, Imelda recorded the official Children In Need single alongside Cara Dillon, Sir Terry Wogan, Hayley Westenra and others at Abbey Road Studios.

Singles

• 2009 : "Johnny Got A Boom-Boom"
• 2009 : "Big Bad Handsome Man"

Albums

• 2005 : No Turning Back (Foot Tapping Records) [as Imelda Clabby]
• 2008 : Love Tattoo (Ambassador Records/Universal)
• 2009 : No Turning Back [re-release]

• Imelda May - Vocals / Bodhrán
• Al Gare - Double Bass / Bass Guitar
• Steve Rushton - Drums
• Darrel Higham - Guitar
• Dave Priseman - Trumpet / Flugelhorn / Shaker / Vibraslap / Tambourine

• Imelda May's Myspace page
• Imelda May Album Review
• No Turning Back (Imelda Clabby) Review
• Blue Harlem (featuring Imelda May) Reviews
• Music On-Air Interview