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 6 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 are one of the UK’s most successful bands, having 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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A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND LIFE!
"The Simple Minds concert in the Gardens of Pedralbes Palace, Barcelona, was much more than just a performance; it was a unique experience that demonstrated the power of music to bring people together!
Undoubtedly, an evening that will be etched in the ...memory of all who were fortunate enough to attend, Simple Minds proved once again why they are one of the most beloved and respected bands in the music landscape!
The night became a celebration of music and life itself."
Enric Minguillon, Radio Galida.
A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND LIFE!
"The Simple Minds concert in the Gardens of Pedralbes Palace, Barcelona, was much more than just a performance; it was a unique experience that demonstrated the power of music to bring people together!
Undoubtedly, an evening that will be etched in the ...memory of all who were fortunate enough to attend, Simple Minds proved once again why they are one of the most beloved and respected bands in the music landscape!
The night became a celebration of music and life itself."
Enric Minguillon, Radio Galida.
Jim and Bono were interviewed at Rock Werchter this month in 1983. #SimpleMinds #U2 #Bono
MADRID: MEMORIES AND MANIA!
Sometimes it happens, and it happened last night!
Standing on stage at the Botanical Garden, I was momentarily transported back in time, in this case to our first ever concert in Madrid.
December 1981, Sunday evening, and a blanket of snow lay on the ...ground.
The venue was a small and now legendary club, albeit no longer in existence, called the Rock - Ola. And a ticket that night to see Simple Minds make their debut in Spain cost no more than 450 pesetas.
How could we ever have known that more than four decades later we would be back yet again? Still playing our music, still feeling immensely fortunate to have the kind of passionate and wildly enthusiastic audiences that have come to see us throughout this tour of Spain?
Memories are precious - and as you might have observed while reading this - even decades later, we don't ever forget the great nights.
The reaction to our show last night felt genuinely overwhelming.
And so until next time in Madrid.
Thanks to all of you!
Jim Kerr
Pic. Gemma Reilly Hammond
MADRID: MEMORIES AND MANIA!
Sometimes it happens, and it happened last night!
Standing on stage at the Botanical Garden, I was momentarily transported back in time, in this case to our first ever concert in Madrid.
December 1981, Sunday evening, and a blanket of snow lay on the ...ground.
The venue was a small and now legendary club, albeit no longer in existence, called the Rock - Ola. And a ticket that night to see Simple Minds make their debut in Spain cost no more than 450 pesetas.
How could we ever have known that more than four decades later we would be back yet again? Still playing our music, still feeling immensely fortunate to have the kind of passionate and wildly enthusiastic audiences that have come to see us throughout this tour of Spain?
Memories are precious - and as you might have observed while reading this - even decades later, we don't ever forget the great nights.
The reaction to our show last night felt genuinely overwhelming.
And so until next time in Madrid.
Thanks to all of you!
Jim Kerr
Pic. Gemma Reilly Hammond
'Kick It In' was released this month in 1989. #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
‘Kick It In’ was released this month in 1989 to coincide with Simple Minds’ Street Fighting Years tour, which was winding its way through mainland Europe and about to hit the arenas and stadiums of the UK.
#SimpleMinds
'Kick It In' was released this month in 1989 to coincide with Simple Minds' Street Fighting Years tour, which was winding its way through mainland Europe and about to hit the arenas and stadiums of the UK.
LIVES DEPEND ON IT!
There is no chat between us before we go on.
No need for any reminders.
No pep talks necessary.
With Simple Minds it's the same challenge every night, with no letting up.
Ever!
We're going on. Not just to perform.
We're ...going on stage to perform as though our lives depended on it.
And guess what?
The quality of our lives does depend on it.
Life is short.
We don't want to get to the end of the road - and be thinking regretfully.
"We should have done better that night."
Instead, with some pride, we want to be saying.
"I do remember that night. We tore the walls down. People were ecstatic, saying afterwards that Simple Minds were amongst the best they had ever seen!"
It all sounds so easy.
But it's not!
For the only way to get that kind of reaction is to perform every night as though our lives depend on it.
And that's exactly what we do.
Jim Kerr
Pic: Carlos Pascual
A CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND LIFE!
"The Simple Minds concert in the Gardens of Pedralbes Palace, Barcelona, was much more than just a performance; it was a unique experience that demonstrated ...the power of music to bring people together!
Undoubtedly, an evening that will be etched in the memory of all who were fortunate enough to attend, Simple Minds proved once again why they are one of the most beloved and respected bands in the music landscape!
The night became a celebration of music and life itself."
Enric Minguillon, Radio Galida.
MADRID: MEMORIES AND MANIA!
Sometimes it happens, and it happened last night!
Standing on stage at the Botanical Garden, I was momentarily transported back in time, in this case to our ...first ever concert in Madrid.
December 1981, Sunday evening, and a blanket of snow lay on the ground.
The venue was a small and now legendary club, albeit no longer in existence, called the Rock - Ola. And a ticket that night to see Simple Minds make their debut in Spain cost no more than 450 pesetas.
How could we ever have known that more than four decades later we would be back yet again? Still playing our music, still feeling immensely fortunate to have the kind of passionate and wildly enthusiastic audiences that have come to see us throughout this tour of Spain?
Memories are precious - and as you might have observed while reading this - even decades later, we don't ever forget the great nights.
The reaction to our show last night felt genuinely overwhelming.
And so until next time in Madrid.
Thanks to all of you!
Jim Kerr
Pic. Gemma Reilly Hammond
‘Kick It In’ was released this month in 1989 to coincide with Simple Minds’ Street Fighting Years tour, which was winding its way through mainland Europe and about to hit the arenas and ...stadiums of the UK.
#SimpleMinds
LIVES DEPEND ON IT!
There is no chat between us before we go on.
No need for any reminders.
No pep talks necessary.
With Simple Minds it's the same challenge every night,... with no letting up.
Ever!
We're going on. Not just to perform.
We're going on stage to perform as though our lives depended on it.
And guess what?
The quality of our lives does depend on it.
Life is short.
We don't want to get to the end of the road - and be thinking regretfully.
"We should have done better that night."
Instead, with some pride, we want to be saying.
"I do remember that night. We tore the walls down. People were ecstatic, saying afterwards that Simple Minds were amongst the best they had ever seen!"
It all sounds so easy.
But it's not!
For the only way to get that kind of reaction is to perform every night as though our lives depend on it.
And that's exactly what we do.
Jim Kerr
Pic: Carlos Pascual
SPANISH GUITAR!
Even if he easily already owns more than 100!
Minds guitarist, Charlie Burchill very much appreciated the gift of another acoustic guitar, kindly presented to him by actor ...Antonio Banderas after an unforgettable Simple Minds concert at Starlite, Marbella.
Simple Minds red-hot tour of Spain continues tomorrow with a sold-out concert in Madrid, Real Botanical Garden.
📸 James Monkman photography
MAGICAL IN MARBELLA!
Thanks to all who came to see Simple Minds at the Starlite in Marbella!
"Had an absolutely beautiful night in Marbella. Came over (from UK) because I ...thought it would be cool to see a gig in a quarry in the Sierra Blanca mountains - and you know what - it was!
The sound, the light, the atmosphere. Pure beautiful music travelling through the warm night air. Magical!" Lindsay Amanda Lowcock
Avon Gall posts: "Simple Minds you were amazing in Marbella! The sound, the visuals were all on point and we loved it. We had fab seats and the highlight of my night was a JK shout out to us with our Scotland flag."
*pic Lindsay Amanda Lowcock
TEEN SPIRIT!
"Among the benefits involved in still touring after all these years, is the feeling that 'playing live' somehow keeps us connected to the 'young guys' we ...once were.
I'm talking about those same 'young guys' who dedicated every hour of their days towards building the foundations of this group called Simple Minds - that more than 45 years later still travels around the world making hundreds of thousands of people happy."
Jim Kerr, BBC Radio Scotland, 2020
MARBELLA STARLITE NEXT! - SO LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!
44 years after first rolling into Spain as 'opening act' for Peter Gabriel in 1980 - Simple Minds continue to be delighted ...with every opportunity to perform here.
Friday in Barcelona and again last night in Alicante, the audience reaction left all involved feeling overwhelmed.
So good was the atmosphere both nights, we could hear and feel it even from backstage - long before the concert was due to begin. (See pic of Alicante)
Next up, it's the turn of Marbella tomorrow night. So let the good times roll!
pic Barnaby
WOW! FROM FIRST NOTE TO THE LAST IN BARCELONA!
"And NOW I get it! My first ever Simple Minds gig in Barcelona last night.
They had me at the first bass line to Waterfront and ...didn’t let go till the last notes of Alive and Kicking …Simple Minds live… WOW!!!"
"When you are at a (Minds) gig, it's like the world stops and you are in the moment. No worries and carefree": Shelly Reider
Colin Flahive:"I finally got the chance tonight in Barcelona. What a gig - what an extraordinary night. Just a special, special night. Let’s take a moment for the unsung heroes, the stage crew, sound, lighting, venue staff, the whole production - and then Sarah Brown at the encore. I haven’t seen an artist cover a stage like that since Tina Turner in Dublin 1984. What a number… well done girl"
MAGIC IN THE AIR
Before you go into the venue, any venue big or small, it’s an empty space.
At some point the audience enters and the band shows up on stage.
It is then, as ...Springsteen says:
"Together - we then manifest something that is undeniably real. So real that you can almost touch the energy and the atmosphere.
Something that did not exist before the band came on, now is very real.
As though it was pulled out of thin air!"
He’s talking about the ‘magic trick’ and Simple Minds know how to do it.
Been doing it for almost half a century and still aiming to continue for years to come.
Tonight, 44 years after rolling into Barcelona for the first time, Simple Minds are back in that unique city.
Expect magic in the air!
📸 James Monkman photography.
SIMPLE MINDS ARE BACK IN SPAIN!
The temperature is rising with Barcelona followed by Alicante up next!
Thanks to Francesca Froesch and all who came to see Simple Minds in Palma De Mallorca. ...
Pic: Francesca Froesch
EXTRA 100 MILES!
Ever heard it said. “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."
The suggestion being that the people we surround ourselves with greatly... influence our thoughts, behaviours, and ultimately shape who we become?
Less the number, more so the notion led to thinking about all those we’ve spent the majority of our time touring with throughout this year - meaning both band and crew.
With no dickheads. No whingers. And no one who’s not prepared to go the ‘extra 100 miles’ for the benefit of the gig and the audience who come to see us.
We could not be surrounded by a better bunch!
Jim Kerr
Pic: Delboy
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Simple Minds take to the stage at Nuits de Fourvière tonight, and you can enjoy their performance from the comfort of your own home as it will be streamed live on the @ARTEconcertFR YouTube ...channel.
Join the stream here from 9:30pm CET / 8:30pm BST: https://www.youtube.com/live/B11Zbnb_wyE?si=aI6YPTSVd-5KAS3J
Happy birthday to the one and only Jim Kerr!
- SMHQ
Tune in to this week's Sounds Of The 80s with @djgarydavies on @BBCRadio2 for a special feature on Simple Minds.
The episode will feature a collection of archive interviews with Jim ...reflecting on the band's iconic 80s moments, including their performance at Live Aid.
Simple Minds' iconic 1982 album 'New Gold Dream' is set to be re-released tomorrow on exclusive gold-colored vinyl, as part of @hmvtweets’ 1921 Edition range.
This limited ...edition will be available exclusively in HMV stores and online at 4pm BST the same day.
"When the Belfast Child sings again"
Since its release in 1989, 'Belfast Child' has consistently been a highlight of Simple Minds' live shows. As we look forward to ...the summer leg of their Global Tour, which song has left a lasting impression on you when you’ve heard it live?
"The fact that there is five to twelve thousand people every night is proof that we are indeed a live band." - JK, 1986.
Simple Minds begin the summer leg of their Global Tour this... month. For the last remaining tickets, head to https://www.simpleminds.com/tour/
'Alive And Kicking' with the BBC Concert Orchestra at Maida Vale Studios for the @BBCRadio2 Piano Room in 2022.
Watch the full performance here: ...https://bit.ly/AliveAndKickingBBCR2
“Various cities throughout the world have played prominent roles within our career story. None more so than Glasgow, it's the city that made Simple Minds." - Charlie Burchill
...Photo by Thorsten Samesch | http://ToddeVision.de
What's in your Simple Minds record collection?
Photo by Erwin Binner
"I open up to take a look into the bright and shiny book"
Book Of Brilliant Things - Live in Edinburgh, 2015 featuring the incredible vocals of @SarahBrownVocal.
...https://bit.ly/BookOfBrilliantThings2015
The Abbey Road remaster of Simple Minds' fifth studio album 'New Gold Dream' will be released on exclusive gold-coloured vinyl as part of @hmvtweets' 1921 Edition range.
Next month Simple Minds kick off the summer leg of their 2024 Global Tour with shows in France, Italy, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK.
For the last remaining tickets, visit... https://www.simpleminds.com/tour/
Photo by Thorsten Samesch | http://ToddeVision.de
Jim and Bono were interviewed at Rock Werchter this month in 1983. #SimpleMinds #U2 #Bono
'Kick It In' was released this month in 1989. #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
My Glasgow Simple Minds Diary (Part 2)
New Gold Dream 💛 Released this Saturday on a new gold coloured vinyl exclusively in HMV stores.
My Glasgow Simple Minds Diary (Part 1)
“When the Belfast Child sings again” 🕊️ #SimpleMinds
Jim Kerr, 1986 #SimpleMinds #JimKerr
'Alive And Kicking' at Maida Vale Studios for the @bbcradio2 Piano Room in 2022. #SimpleMinds
Book Of Things - Live in Edinburgh, 2015 featuring the incredible vocals of Sarah Brown.
The American - Live in Dortmund, 1984 #SimpleMinds
"If you can see the lights, shout out where you'll be" #SimpleMinds
Simple Minds' chart-topping album 'Street Fighting Years' was released 35 years ago this month.