Biography
Mick Hucknall has long been established as one of the great vocalists of contemporary music after penning his first hit ‘Holding Back The Years’, aged 17. His soul and pop band Simply Red, formed in Manchester in 1985, were rapidly propelled into superstardom.
Their 1991 classic album ‘Stars’ was the best-selling album for two years running in Britain and Europe, every Simply Red studio album has been a UK top ten (with five reaching #1), they have achieved 13 Brit Award nominations & 3 wins, and have had multiple US chart topping singles. It is no wonder the band continue to enjoy global success today.
Hucknall was a Manchester art student when he saw the Sex Pistols at the city’s Free Trade Hall in 1976, one of the few people who can legitimately claim to have been at the concert that gave birth to the Manchester punk rock scene. It was Hucknall’s own punk band, the Frantic Elevators, that recorded the original version of Holding Back The Years, but Hucknall was too much of a melody-loving soul to be a three-chord wonder for long, and in 1985 Simply Red were born.
“For me, music has to be instinctive,” says Hucknall, on the soulful direction his band took. “It’s why I rejected the academia of being an art student: I knew that I had to make something that gets to people without their knowing why. Above all I have an obsession with melody, which I inherited through my love of the Beatles. All I’ve ever really wanted to do is to create melodies that are simple but refined. I’m evangelical about it: music takes you to a place that nothing else can take you to and it’s my job to contribute to that.”
It’s the reason why Simply Red, despite their longevity, despite a following that has seen them sell 60 million albums, have never fitted in or been defined by a trend or movement. It has helped give the music a timeless quality that has seen the band have top ten hits through the 80s, 90s and 2000s.
Early success with their first single ‘Money’s Too Tight To Mention’ and Brit Award-nominated album ‘Picture Book’ (the first of 13 nominations, and 3 Brit Award wins) propelled the band into decades of superstardom. Their 1991 classic ‘Stars’ was the best-selling album for two years running in Britain and Europe, and every Simply Red studio album, including their latest 2019 release ‘Blue Eyed Soul’, has been a UK Top Ten. Their live show is renowned for its high quality, with Hucknall long-established as one of the great vocalists of contemporary music, and the band continue to sell out tours across the globe.
Social Feed
In 1999, Mick joined @TomJones on his 'An Audience With' TV special. #SimplyRed #TomJones
In 1999, Mick joined Tom Jones on his 'An Audience With' TV special to perform a cover of the northern soul classic 'Ain't That a Lot of Love.' This track was also the lead single from Simply Red's album 'Love and the Russian Winter' released the same year.
In 1999, Mick joined @realsirtomjones on his ‘An Audience With’ TV special to perform a cover of the northern soul classic ‘Ain’t That a Lot of Love.’ This track was also the lead single from Simply Red’s album ‘Love and the Russian Winter’ released the same year.
...#SimplyRed #TomJones
In August 1999, Simply Red performed at Haydock Park, paying tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson during his Testimonial Year. Coinciding with Manchester United's FA Cup win against Newcastle, the concert featured new tracks from 'Love and the Russian Winter' and became one of the most ...sought-after tickets of the year.
Watch the full concert here: https://bit.ly/HaydockParkSR
"The band in Heaven, they play my favourite song." 🎹 #SimplyRed #TalkingHeads
“The band in Heaven, they play my favourite song.” 🎹
Originally written and recorded by @talkingheadsofficial, Simply Red’s cover of ‘Heaven’ featured on their 1985 album ‘Picture Book’ and was performed here during their 2010 concert at the Sydney Opera House.
35 years ago today, Simply Red achieved their second US number one hit with 'If You Don't Know Me By Now', topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.
Can you name the band's first US number one?
35 years ago today, Simply Red achieved their second US No.1 hit with #IfYouDontKnowMeByNow
35 years ago today, Simply Red achieved their second US number one hit with ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.
Can you name the band’s first US number one?
In 1999, Mick joined @realsirtomjones on his ‘An Audience With’ TV special to perform a cover of the northern soul classic ‘Ain’t That a Lot of Love.’ This track was also the lead single ...from Simply Red’s album ‘Love and the Russian Winter’ released the same year.
#SimplyRed #TomJones
“The band in Heaven, they play my favourite song.” 🎹
Originally written and recorded by @talkingheadsofficial, Simply Red’s cover of ‘Heaven’ featured on their 1985 album ...‘Picture Book’ and was performed here during their 2010 concert at the Sydney Opera House.
35 years ago today, Simply Red achieved their second US number one hit with ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’, topping the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989.
Can you name the band’s first US ...number one?
“As I look into your eyes I see the sunrise” 🌅 In July 2003, Simply Red graced the stage at Hyde Park for Party In The Park, supporting The Prince’s Trust charity.
‘Sunrise’ ...will be included on the upcoming special edition 180g black vinyl of ‘Home’, set for release next month. Pre-order your copy through the link in bio.
Thank You - Live at Haydock Park, 1999 📹
“Ain’t that a lot of love for one heart to hold” ❤️
Live at at @sydneyoperahouse, 2010.
Only one month left until the special edition release of ‘Home’ on vinyl!
This exclusive edition features the smash hits ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New’, ‘Sunrise’ and ‘Fake’. ...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 through the link in bio.
This month we’re celebrating Simply Red’s seventh studio album, ‘Love and the Russian Winter’. Released as the 90s drew to a close, the band refreshed their pop-soul sound with more ...electronic and dance elements. Lead single ‘Ain’t That A Lot of Love’ perfectly captured this new sound with its house-inflected take on Homer Banks’ Northern Soul classic.
We’d love to hear your memories of this album and which songs are your favourites 👇
#SimplyRed40
The Story of Simply Red: Blue
#SimplyRed40
Explore Simply Red’s 1998 ‘Blue’ era now featured in the band’s digital archive 💙 Dive into the album, complete with music, artwork, videos, and more.
Link in bio.
Simply Red will be performing at The Grand Festival in Schladming on 8th December 2024 to open the ski season. @bryanadams and @theofficialsting will also be performing at the Festival on December ...6th and 7th.
Tickets are on sale now - link in bio.
Simply Red are pleased to share that they will be performing at The Grand Festival in Schladming on 8th December 2024. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, 26 June at 9pm Austrian time via the link in bio.
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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.
Putin is a tiny man. A pathetic little man . He sends his men to die in a futile war. He murders children. Russia is a pathetic country. No hope, no freedom. A failing nation that only understands ...brute force. Empathy and Humanity must prevail.
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
Brexit Dyson: what a bastard. Hypocrisy on steroids.
There are a handful of BBC journalists who present themselves as neutral. They are to be admired. As for the Tory shills, GBNEWS awaits.
We work, we earn, at different levels. We are not all the same. But all in society should be given the opportunity to achieve. To progress. To grow. Let’s hope this Parliament begins to readdress ...the awful social imbalance that has plagued us in the last 14 years. Wish 🇬🇧 well
Looks like Macron’s gamble paid off. Their second ballot seems to always resume reality.
Q- What does it really mean to be WOKE? Seriously.
Express your view below. Politely pls. ❤️
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/
In 1999, Mick joined @TomJones on his 'An Audience With' TV special. #SimplyRed #TomJones
"The band in Heaven, they play my favourite song." 🎹 #SimplyRed #TalkingHeads
35 years ago today, Simply Red achieved their second US No.1 hit with #IfYouDontKnowMeByNow
Thank You - Live at Haydock Park, 1999 📹 #SimplyRed #LiveMusic
"But we're alone now and I'm singing this song to you" 🎻 #SimplyRed #LeonRussell #LoveSongs
"Ain't that a lot of love for one heart to hold" ❤️ #SimplyRed
Talkin' about money, money at Shepherd's Bush Empire in 2023 💰 #SimplyRed
The Story of Simply Red Blue #SimplyRed40 #SimplyRed
If You Don’t Know Me By Now - Live at Old Trafford, 1996 🎤 #SimplyRed #80sMusic #80sPop
Simply Red are looking forward to seeing you on the road in 2025! ❤️ Tickets are on sale now.
Holding Back the Years - Live at the Lyceum Theatre, 1998. #SimplyRed
Happy Birthday Mick! Share your wishes in the comments section 🎂#SimplyRed