Biography
Scottish rock band Simple Minds have been on an extraordinary journey – from humble beginnings in post-punk 1970s Glasgow to becoming one of the UK’s most successful and pioneering bands – selling over 60 million records, achieving six number one albums, topping the American chart with ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, and playing sold-out stadiums across the globe.
2022 saw the release of their eighteenth studio album, ‘Direction Of The Heart’, which reached #4 in the UK charts.
Simple Minds have achieved five No.1 albums as well hitting the top spot in countless other territories including Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Australia and New Zealand.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is that people say to me what Simple Minds are you talking about? The avant-garde, the art-rock, the pop, the ambient, the instrumental group, the political, the folk, the stadium band? We’ve been on one hell of a journey. To play all those different styles but at the same time be quintessentially Simple Minds is an amazing thing.” Jim Kerr.
Simple Minds have been musical pioneers for 40 glittering years. Catching the mood of the post-punk era, when the angry sounds of 1977 were splintering into a thousand different shapes. They went on to become one of the great bands of their generation, deploying rousing choruses and booming atmospherics to provide a soundtrack that has endured.
Topping the American chart with Don’t You (Forget About Me) and in the UK with Belfast Child and selling over 60 million records, they have seen three of their 20 studio albums reach number one in the UK – Sparkle In The Rain, Once Upon A Time and Street Fighting Years – a chart-topping feat equalled by their live album Live In The City Of Light and the compilation Glittering Prize. A spellbinding touring band, they have graced the world’s biggest stadiums, starring at Live Aid and playing three momentous London shows in honour of Nelson Mandela.
2022 saw the release of their eighteenth studio album, ‘Direction Of The Heart’, hitting #4 in the UK charts.
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Jim and Charlie list their favourite songs to perform on the road. #SimpleMinds
Jim and Charlie list their favourite songs to perform on the road.
Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/LiveSongsSM
Jim and Charlie list their favourite songs to perform on the road.
Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/LiveSongsSM
Jim and Charlie list their favourite songs to perform on the road.
Watch the full interview on the @livenation YouTube channel.
@simplemindscom Still have the 12’’ of it.
‘All The Things She Said' was released 40 years ago this month as a single. #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
‘All The Things She Said' was released 40 years ago this month as the third single from Once Upon A Time.
‘All The Things She Said' was released 40 years ago this month as the third single from Once Upon A Time. Arriving just as the band wrapped the winter European leg of the album tour, the single also featured a powerful live version of 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' recorded at The... Ahoy as its B-side.
Listen to the 40th anniversary editions of Once Upon A Time - available on vinyl, CD, and digital: https://simpleminds.ffm.to/onceuponatime.OFP
‘All The Things She Said’ was released 40 years ago this month as the third single from Once Upon A Time. Arriving just as the band wrapped the winter European leg of the album tour, the single also featured a powerful live version of ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ recorded at The Ahoy as ...its B-side.
Listen to the 40th anniversary editions of Once Upon A Time - available on vinyl, CD, and digital.
Jim and Charlie list their favourite songs to perform on the road.
Watch the full interview on the @livenation YouTube channel.
‘All The Things She Said’ was released 40 years ago this month as the third single from Once Upon A Time. Arriving just as the band wrapped the winter European leg of the album tour, the single ...also featured a powerful live version of ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ recorded at The Ahoy as its B-side.
Listen to the 40th anniversary editions of Once Upon A Time - available on vinyl, CD, and digital.
We’ve loved reading your favourite memories from the 2024/25 Simple Minds tours. Here are a few you’ve shared:
“Werchter was an absolute highlight for me. The sense of togetherness and... becoming one through music was truly breathtaking. Young people and older ones (like me) who love different genres respected and appreciated each other. What a heartwarming feeling.” - Ann
“Lytham St Annes with Texas & Cast was one hell of a show, but as always for me, the Taormina gig two nights this time was absolutely outstanding. The sound was phenomenal. Let There Be Love & See The Lights brought a tear to my eyes. A pleasure meeting all the great fans in our Hotel and the many bars & restaurants.” - David
“They came on playing Waterfront, gave us the shivers! Watching them with my friend Mhairi at Bellahouston, Glasgow. Their and our hometown. In the rain. Just wonderful.” - Jane
Photo by @toddevision
‘Magic’ was released as the lead single from Walk Between Worlds, which came out this month in 2018. The album marked Simple Minds’ seventeenth studio release and reached No. 4 on the UK Albums... Chart, their highest position in the UK since 1995’s Good News from the Next World
On this day in 1985, Simple Minds released ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ as a single in the US. The song went on to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band’s biggest ...international hit and defining a generation through its association with The Breakfast Club.
Thirty years later, in 2015, the band performed the song on the Billboard Music Awards stage to mark the anniversary of it topping the US chart, introduced by the film’s star, Molly Ringwald.
“When the Belfast Child sings again.”
Released this month in 1989, Belfast Child has long been a highlight of Simple Minds’ live shows. In 2008, the band performed the song at Night of... the Proms with the incredible @sineadoconnorofficial.
Last year at @thepiecehall, @cherissedrums spoke with @chrishawkinsdj about her time in Simple Minds and the craft behind her drumming.
Watch the full interview on YouTube.
A past project on Valentines Day: a "Love Song" in sparks and steel created for our friends Simple Minds, based on the band’s iconic emblem. (Andy Scott Sculptures)
...@andyscott.sculptures
“I open up to take a look into the bright and shiny book”
Book of Brilliant Things - Live at Nuits de Fourvière, 2024.
Thank you to everyone who has shared their photos and memorabilia from Simple Minds’ early years
“I recently got Jim & Charlie to sign a poster of the flyer from the Grafton Bar gig... in Glasgow on 04/10/78. It was my dad’s pub at the time and they played in the basement. My brother worked the bar. Jim told me his girlfriend at the time, Jane, designed the poster. “ - x.com/Mountcharles2
What are your favourite early Simple Minds tracks?
Released this month in 1982, Celebration compiled highlights from the band’s first three albums. Among them was ‘Factory’, captured ...here live at the Hurrah Club in New York City, 1979.
Simple Minds’ tenth studio album, Good News from the Next World, was released 31 years ago today.
Recorded at the band’s own studio in Loch Earn and finished in Los Angeles, the album ...saw the band reunite with producer Keith Forsey.
“Keith is fantastic. We had always loved him. He had continued making hit records, and we thought he might open us up to more of a pop sensibility; the sacred art of the three-and-a-half-minute radio song. It didn’t work out that way, but that was the initial idea.” - Charlie
Jim and Charlie list their favourite songs to perform on the road.
Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/LiveSongsSM
@simplemindscom Still have the 12’’ of it.
‘All The Things She Said' was released 40 years ago this month as the third single from Once Upon A Time.
We’ve loved reading your favourite memories from the 2024/25 Simple Minds tours. Here are a few you’ve shared:
Photo by @ToddeVision
‘Magic’ was released as the lead single from Walk Between Worlds, which came out this month in 2018. The album marked Simple Minds' seventeenth studio release and reached No. 4 on the UK ...Albums Chart, their highest position in the UK since 1995's Good News from the Next World.
On this day in 1985, Simple Minds released ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ as a single in the US. The song went on to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band’s biggest ...international hit and defining a generation through its association with The Breakfast Club.
"When the Belfast Child sings again."
Released this month in 1989, Belfast Child has long been a highlight of Simple Minds’ live shows. In 2008, the band performed the song at ...Night of the Proms with the incredible Sinéad O’Connor.
Last year at @ThePieceHall, @Cherissedrums spoke with @chris_hawkins about her time in Simple Minds and the craft behind her drumming.
Watch the full interview here: ...https://bit.ly/PieceHallSM
"I open up to take a look into the bright and shiny book"
Book of Brilliant Things - Live at Nuits de Fourvière, 2024.
Thank you to everyone who has shared their photos and memorabilia from Simple Minds’ early years
"I recently got Jim & Charlie to sign a poster of the flyer from Grafton Bar gig ...in Glasgow on 04/10/78.
What are your favourite early Simple Minds tracks?
Released this month in 1982, Celebration compiled highlights from the band’s first three albums. Among them was 'Factory', ...captured here live at the Hurrah Club in New York City, 1979.
Jim and Charlie list their favourite songs to perform on the road. #SimpleMinds
‘All The Things She Said' was released 40 years ago this month as a single. #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
Well played 🎸 @dannyritz_official #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
Love Song - Live in Edinburgh, 2015. #SimpleMinds #LiveMusic #80s
Cherisse spoke with Chris Hawkins about her time in #SimpleMinds and the craft behind her drumming.
Book of Brilliant Things - Live at Nuits de Fourvière, 2024. #SimpleMinds #LiveMusic
40 years ago today, Simple Minds released 'Sanctify Yourself' 🕊️ #SimpleMinds #LiveMusic #80s
‘Speed Your Love To Me’ was released this month in 1984 #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
‘Changeling’ was released as the lone single from Real To Real Cacophony this month in 1980.
"This is our Glasgow anthem." - Charlie #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
Flesh of heart, heart of steel #SimpleMinds #LoveSong #80sMusic
