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.
Social Feed
New Gold Dream - The Oxford Road Show, 1983 #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
In April 1982, Simple Minds released ‘Promised You a Miracle’ while still touring Sons and Fascination, issuing it ahead of their next album, New Gold Dream. The single became the band’s first UK hit and led to their debut appearance on Top of the Pops.
In April 1982, Simple Minds released ‘Promised You a Miracle’ while still touring Sons and Fascination, issuing it ahead of their next album, New Gold Dream. The single became the band’s first UK hit and led to their debut appearance on Top of the Pops.
In April 1982, Simple Minds released ‘Promised You a Miracle’. #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
In April 1982, Simple Minds released ‘Promised You a Miracle’ while still touring Sons and Fascination, issuing it ahead of their next album, New Gold Dream. The single became the band’s first UK hit and led to their debut appearance on Top of the Pops.
Simple Minds will return to California this year to perform at @darkerwavesfest, at Huntington State Beach on Saturday November 14.
The ticket presale begins at 10am PST on Thursday, April 2. General sale follows at 11am PST the same day.
Simple Minds will return to California this year to perform at Darker Waves Fest, at Huntington State Beach on Saturday November 14.
The ticket presale begins at 10am PST on Thursday, April 2. General sale follows at 11am PST the same day.
Sign up now for a presale passcode: ...https://www.darkerwavesfest.com/presale
Simple Minds will return to California this year to perform at @darkerwavesfest, at Huntington State Beach on Saturday November 14.
The ticket presale begins at 10am PST on Thursday, April 2. General sale follows at 11am PST the same day.
Sign up now for a presale passcode at the ...link in bio.
The debut single from Simple Minds, 'Life In A Day', was released on this day in 1979.
Which song was your first introduction to the band?
Tickets are on sale now for Simple Minds at @darkerwavesfest in Huntington Beach, California on Saturday, November 14.
Link in bio.
In April 1982, Simple Minds released ‘Promised You a Miracle’ while still touring Sons and Fascination, issuing it ahead of their next album, New Gold Dream. The single became the band’s first ...UK hit and led to their debut appearance on Top of the Pops.
Simple Minds will return to California this year to perform at @darkerwavesfest, at Huntington State Beach on Saturday November 14.
The ticket presale begins at 10am PST on Thursday, April ...2. General sale follows at 11am PST the same day.
Sign up now for a presale passcode at the link in bio.
The debut single from Simple Minds, ‘Life In A Day’, was released on this day in 1979.
Which song was your first introduction to the band?
Wishing a very happy birthday to @gedgrimesmusic today!
Photo by @toddevision
Simple Minds released their eleventh studio album Néapolis this month in 1998, drawing once again on the band’s earlier electronic influences.
Here, Jim reflects on the band’s humour ...behind the scenes of the ‘Glitterball’ music video.
‘Up on the Catwalk’ was released as a single this month in 1984.
“The Master And Margarita by [Mikhail] Bulgakov was one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, and a particular ...fave of Charlie Burchill’s. It became in part the inspiration for some of the ideas behind Sparkle in the Rain’s opening track.” - Jim
“Your music talks to me”
Simple Minds perform ‘Let There Be Love’ live in Edinburgh, 2015. Originally released as the lead single from Real Life this month in 1991.
In 2025, Jim spoke to @greatesthitsuk about being back on the road with Simple Minds and the connection the band still shares with audiences.
Watch the full interview on YouTube.
EVERY LAST MINUTE
"The best time to be in Simple Minds? How about right now! Past is gone and never coming back. Tomorrow? Who knows if there will be a tomorrow? It only leaves today, and we... are loving it...Every last minute! " Jim Kerr
"Simple Minds are properly appreciated - recognised as innovators, pioneers of pop music that was intelligent, inventive, ambitious. They teach creative people to read extensively, to travel ...enthusiastically, to draw on diverse experiences. They encourage them to work hard, to play the long game, to pursue their own path - in their quest to discover their own New Gold Dreams."
Search 'Jim Carrolls Blog Simple Minds'
On this day in 1991, Simple Minds released ‘Let There Be Love’, the lead single from their ninth studio album Real Life. The album went on to reach No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and broke into the... top 10 across Europe.
Tickets are on sale now for Simple Minds at @darkerwavesfest in Huntington Beach, California on Saturday, November 14.
https://www.darkerwavesfest.com/tickets
In April 1982, Simple Minds released ‘Promised You a Miracle’ while still touring Sons and Fascination, issuing it ahead of their next album, New Gold Dream. The single became the band’s first ...UK hit and led to their debut appearance on Top of the Pops.
Simple Minds will return to California this year to perform at @darkerwavesfest, at Huntington State Beach on Saturday November 14.
The ticket presale begins at 10am PST on Thursday, April ...2. General sale follows at 11am PST the same day.
The debut single from Simple Minds, 'Life In A Day', was released on this day in 1979.
Which song was your first introduction to the band?
Simple Minds released their eleventh studio album Néapolis this month in 1998, drawing once again on the band’s earlier electronic influences.
Here, Jim reflects on the band’s humour ...behind the scenes of the 'Glitterball' music video.
'Up on the Catwalk' was released as a single this month in 1984.
"Your music talks to me"
Simple Minds perform 'Let There Be Love' live in Edinburgh, 2015. Originally released as the lead single from Real Life this month in 1991.
In 2025, Jim spoke to @greatesthitsuk about being back on the road with Simple Minds and the connection the band still shares with audiences.
Watch the full interview: https://bit.ly/JimGHR
On this day in 1991, Simple Minds released 'Let There Be Love', the lead single from their ninth studio album Real Life. The album went on to reach No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and broke ...into the top 10 across Europe.
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.
New Gold Dream - The Oxford Road Show, 1983 #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
In April 1982, Simple Minds released ‘Promised You a Miracle’. #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
Simple Minds released their eleventh studio album Néapolis this month in 1998 #SimpleMinds
‘Up on the Catwalk' was released as a single this month in 1984. #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
Listening to Alive & Kicking for the first time 📹 @NathanBrownMusic
On this day in 1991, Simple Minds released 'Let There Be Love'. #SimpleMinds
Glittering Prize - Live on Top of the Pops, 1982 #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
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
