Encyclopedia of Popular Music
This Scottish group was formed in 1978 by Jim Kerr (b. 9
July 1959, Glasgow, Scotland; vocals), Charlie Burchill (b. 27 November 1959, Glasgow,
Scotland; guitar), Tony Donald (bass) and Brian McGee (drums), former members of Glasgow
punk group Johnny And The Self-Abusers. A second guitarist, Duncan Barnwell, was recruited
following a newspaper advertisement. The unit was augmented by keyboard player Mick McNeil
(b. 20 July 1958) before Derek Forbes (b. 22 June 1956) replaced a disaffected Donald. The
upheavals of this initial era were completed with Barnwell's departure. Having established
themselves as one of Scotland's leading live attractions, Simple Minds were signed to
Zoom, an Edinburgh-based independent label marketed by Arista Records. 'Life In A Day',
the group's debut single, broached the UK Top 50 in March 1979 while the attendant album
reached number 30. Critics were divided over its merits, although a consensus deemed the
set derivative. Within weeks the quintet began decrying their creation and embarked on a
more radical direction. Real To Real Cacophony unfolded within the recording studio in an
attempt to regain an
early spontaneity and while this largely experimental collection was a commercial flop, it
reinstated
the group's self-respect and won unanimous music press approbation. Empires And Dance, was
released in September 1980. The set fused the flair of its predecessor to a newly
established love
of dance music and reflected influences garnered during European tours. It included 'I
Travel', a pulsating travelogue which became a firm favourite throughout the club circuit
and helped engender
a new sense of optimism in the group's career. Now free of Arista, Simple Minds were
signed to
Virgin Records in 1981, and paired with producer Steve Hillage. The resultant sessions
spawned
two albums, Sons And Fascination and Sister Feelings Call, which were initially released
together.
It became the group's first UK Top 20 entrant, spawning three minor hit singles with 'The
American', 'Love Song' and 'Sweat In Bullet' and began Simple Minds' transformation from
cult to popular
favourites. This very success unnerved Brian McGee, who abhorred touring. In August 1981
he was replaced by former Slik and Skids drummer Kenny Hyslop (b. 14 February 1951,
Helensburgh, Strathclyde, Scotland), although the newcomer's recorded contribution was
confined to 'Promised
You A Miracle'. This powerful song reached number 13 in Britain, and proved popular in
Europe
and Australia where the group enjoyed an almost fanatical following. Although Mike
Ogletree joined
on Hyslop's departure, a former musician, Mel Gaynor (b. 29 May 1959), eventually became
the quintet's permanent drummer. Both musicians were featured on New Gold Dream, Simple
Minds'
most successful album to date which peaked at number 3. Here the group was harnessing a
more commercial sound, and they achieved a series of hits with its attendant singles,
'Glittering Prize'
and 'Someone, Somewhere In Summertime'. A sixth collection, Sparkle In The Rain, united
the
quintet with producer Steve Lillywhite, inspiring comparisons with his other proteges,
U2.'Waterfront',
a brash, pulsating grandiose performance, and 'Speed Your Love To Me', prefaced its
release, and
the album entered the UK chart at number 1. The set also featured 'Up On The Catwalk', a
further
Top 30 entrant, and a version of Lou Reed 's 'Street Hassle', a long-established group
favourite.
Jim Kerr married Pretenders' singer Chrissie Hynde in 1984, but their relationship did not
survive
the rigours of touring. The following year Simple Minds chose to record in America under
the aegis
of Jimmy Iovine and Bob Clearmountain. It was during this period that the group
contributed 'Don't
You (Forget About Me)' to the soundtrack of the film The Breakfast Club. The quintet
remained ambivalent about the song, which was written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff,
but it paradoxically became a US number 1 when issued as a single. Although the group
initially vetoed a world-wide release, they reneged in the light of this achievement
whereupon the record became a massive international hit and confirmed the group's
world-beating status. However, the track did not appear
on the ensuing Once Upon A Time which, despite international success, drew considerable
criticism
for its bombastic approach. Three tracks, 'Alive And Kicking', 'Sanctify Yourself' and
'All The Things
She Said' nonetheless reached the UK Top 10 while a concurrent world tour, documented on
Live In
The City Of Light, was one of the year's major events. The proceeds of several dates were
donated
to Amnesty International, reflecting a growing politicization within the group. In 1988
they were a
major inspiration behind the concert celebrating Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday, but
although a
new composition, 'Mandela Day', was recorded for the event, Simple Minds refused to
release it as a single, fearful of seeming opportunistic. The song was later coupled to
'Belfast Child', a lengthy, haunting lament for Northern Ireland based on a traditional
folk melody, 'She Moved Through The
Fair'. This artistically ambitious work topped the UK chart in February 1989 and set the
tone for the group's subsequent album, Street Fighting Years, their first studio set in
four years. Although it achieved platinum status within five days, sales then dropped
rather dramatically, reflecting the uncompromising nature of its content. Three further
singles entered the UK Top 20, whileThe Amsterdam EP, which included a version of Prince
's 'Sign 'O' The Times', reached number 18 at
the end of the year. This contradictory period closed with the rancorous departure of Mick
McNeil, replaced by Peter Vitesse, and the ending of the group's ten-year association with
Schoolhouse Management. Simple Minds entered the 90s with an official line-up of Jim Kerr
and Charlie Burchill
and a development almost impossible to predict. Real Life saw the band re-introducing more
personal themes to their songwriting after the political concerns of previous albums. The
new
material recaptured the grand, epic sound that is Simple Minds' trademark. Kerr married
Patsy
Kensit in January 1992. The highly commercial 'She's A River' came in advance of Good News
From The Next World in 1995, just as the next world was beginning to think Simple Minds
were from an
age past this timely album re-awoke memories of the early 80s.
Encyclopedia of Popular Music Copyright Muze UK Ltd. 1989
- 1998
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