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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40 years ago this month, Simple Minds continued their Once Upon a Time Tour across Europe, following the major commercial success of the album.
“Certain records when you’re asked to look back, you get an instant emotion: some you have a little wince and there are others where the ...instant reaction is to bring a smile to your face, and I have that with Once Upon A Time. It was the album we wanted, it was the album we felt we needed. It was such a pleasure to do. When we actually got down to recording and working with Jimmy and Bob, it was summer in America and every day the stuff coming out of the speakers sounded great. When you look back now it’s only eight tracks so it’s probably the most compact record we made.” - Jim
Photos by @guidoharari
#OnceUponATime40
40 years ago this month, Simple Minds continued their Once Upon a Time Tour across Europe, following the major commercial success of the album.
Photos by Guido Harari
#OnceUponATime40
40 years ago this month, Simple Minds continued their Once Upon a Time Tour across Europe, following the major commercial success of the album.
"Certain records when you’re asked to look back, you get an instant emotion: some you have a little wince and there are others where the ...instant reaction is to bring a smile to your face, and I have that with Once Upon A Time. It was the album we wanted, it was the album we felt we needed. It was such a pleasure to do. When we actually got down to recording and working with Jimmy and Bob, it was summer in America and every day the stuff coming out of the speakers sounded great. When you look back now it’s only eight tracks so it’s probably the most compact record we made." - Jim
Photos by Guido Harari
#OnceUponATime40
Ghost Dancing - Live at @RockWerchter, 2025.
Released as the final single from 'Once Upon a Time' in November 1986, as the album tour drew to a close.
#OnceUponATime40
Ghost Dancing - Live at @rockwerchterfestival, 2025.
Released as the final single from ‘Once Upon a Time’ in November 1986, as the album tour drew to a close.
#OnceUponATime40
Ghost Dancing - Live at Rock Werchter, 2025.
Released as the final single from 'Once Upon a Time' in November 1986, as the album tour drew to a close.
#OnceUponATime40
The last remaining @Soundwaves_Art prints created from the soundwaves of “Alive & Kicking” are being re-released this holiday season.
http://www.soundwavesartfoundation.com/collections/simple-minds
The last remaining Soundwaves Art prints created from the soundwaves of “Alive & Kicking” are being re-released this holiday season.
Each piece has been hand-signed by Jim, Charlie and Soundwaves artist Tim Wakefield, and all profits go to Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest ...independent music therapy charity, enriching the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses, disabilities and feelings of isolation.
There are only a few signed artworks available, making this a great opportunity to give a meaningful gift while supporting a wonderful cause.
www.soundwavesartfoundation.com/collections/simple-minds
A look behind the scenes of the 40th Anniversary Tour 📸 Huge thanks to the Simply Red tour crew and venue staff who helped make every night so special.
Photos by @toddevision
...#SimplyRed40
The Netherlands has been part of Simply Red’s story from the very start, ever since the band recorded their debut album ‘Picture Book’ in Hilversum back in 1985.
This year, Simply Red ...returned for three unforgettable nights at Amsterdam’s @ziggodome to celebrate 40 years of music.
Thank you to everyone who joined them and made those shows so special.
Photos by @toddevision
#SimplyRed40
If You Don’t Know Me By Now - Live in Santiago, 2025.
First made famous by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, Simply Red’s version arrived in 1989 and went on to become the band’s ...second US number 1.
Go deeper into the song’s history on the Recollections archive page at the link in bio.
What’s your favourite Simply Red song to hear live? 🎤
Watch the full interview with Mick, as he looks back on 40 years of Simply Red at the link in bio.
Question asked by ...@happysweetdreamer
To mark 40 years of Simply Red, Mick sat down with @thisisbenjones to reflect on the band’s story, from the early days to today, and to discuss the release of their new album Recollections, ...featuring newly re-recorded versions of some of their most loved songs.
Watch the full interview at the link in bio.
#SimplyRed40
‘Sunrise’ has now been added to the Recollections archive 🌅 The archive brings together the songs from the album, with dedicated pages exploring the stories, memories, and music that helped ...shape Simply Red’s legacy.
Explore the archive at the link in bio.
#SimplyRed40
Just in time for the holidays 🎄 Recollections is available now on a 3CD set, a 2LP highlights edition, and in-store at selected retailers as a limited 4LP vinyl package.
Shop now at the ...link in bio.
📹 @spinfortheday
The Simply Red Black Friday Sale is now live! 📣 Enjoy 30% off selected items in the official store, including all 40th Anniversary Tour merch, for a limited time.
Offer ends Tuesday 2 ...December at 5pm GMT.
As the 40th Anniversary Tour comes to a close, we’d like to thank everyone who joined Simply Red on the road this year to celebrate four incredible decades of music.
The response to the ...tour has been tremendous, and it’s been a pleasure to see the joy on the faces of each audience around the world. Your love and support have made this tour truly special ❤️
Photos by @toddevision and @miguelfuenteso
#SimplyRed40
Tune in to @bbcradio2 this Saturday as Mick joins @djgarydavies for a Sounds of the 80s special, looking back on 40 years of Simply Red.
Listen from 8pm GMT, or catch up on @bbcsounds.
Keep holding on ♥️
Watch the full performance at the link in bio.
Mick reflects on Simply Red’s independent releases and the new Recollections project in the final episode of 40 Years of Simply Red.
Watch it now at the link in bio.
#SimplyRed40
The UK’s new Labour government needs to dust off the ISC’s 2020 Russia Report classified annex with a view to sanitising and publishing it. The British people should know why Boris Johnson ...suppressed the report and just how far Putin and his cronies have corrupted our democracy.
The challenge for political broadcasting is enormous, and rather satisfying to watch. After years of personality-driven and chaotic, shallow politics coverage across much of the media, which was ...largely about instability, gossip and leadership crises we now have a govt with
There are a handful of BBC journalists who present themselves as neutral. They are to be admired. As for the Tory shills, GBNEWS awaits.
Only 1 month left until the special edition release of 'Home' on vinyl!
Newly mastered from the original production tapes, it includes a beautifully designed gatefold sleeve with ...lyrics, credits, and a previously unseen photo.
Pre-order your copy here: https://simplyred.tmstor.es/
Forty years ago this week, Simple Minds made their SNL debut. #SimpleMinds #Madonna #80s
Promised You A Miracle - Live in Dortmund, 1984. #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
The 40th Anniversary 5CD boxset of 'Once Upon A Time' is out now 💿 #SimpleMinds #80sMusic
Open up your heart #SimpleMinds #80sMusic #OnceUponATime40
The 40th Anniversary Editions of Simple Minds’ 1985 album ‘Once Upon A Time’ are available now.
40 years ago this week, Simple Minds released 'Alive and Kicking'. #SimpleMinds #80s
Hear Jim and Charlie on the latest Rockonteurs episode. #SimpleMinds #JimKerr #CharlieBurchill
Simple Minds - Underneath the Ice (Official Audio)
Simple Minds - Stranger (Official Audio)
Simple Minds - The Jeweller Pt. 2 (Official Audio)
Simple Minds - Too Much Television (Bonus Track) (Official Audio)
