Inventing new sounds a decade sooner than anyone else. Est. 1977

Simple Minds (est. 1977) is a legendary Scottish new wave band that is most famous for recording Keith Forsey's hit song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" for the John Hughes movie "The Breakfast Club", which was released in 1985. However, the band is a lot more than a one-hit-wonder as they have released over a dozen of albums. Their sound and style is constantly evolving and they continue to pave way for new musical styles and ideas.

The original members include Jim Kerr (vocals), Charlie Burchill (guitar and violin), Michael MacNeil (keyboards and accordion), Derek Forbes (bass guitar) and Brian McGee (drums and percussion). Current line-up includes both Jim and Charlie, Ged Grimes (bass guitar), Sarah Brown (addt. vocals), Cherisse Osei (percussion) and Gordon Goudie (acoustic guitar). Notable past members include drummers Kenny Hyslop, Mike Ogletree, Mel Gaynor and Mark Schumann, keyboard player/guitarist Mark Taylor, keyboard player/programmer Andy Gillespie, bassists John Giblin, Malcolm Foster and Eddie Duffy, vocalists Robin Clarke and Annie McCaig, percussionists Sue Hadjopoulos and Andy Duncan and violinist Lisa Germano.

The band's five most prominent albums are the new wave-era "Empires and Dance" plus the double-release of "Sons and Fascination"/"Sister Feelings Call", the new romantic epic "New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)" and the bombastic synth rock spectacle "Sparkle in the Rain". Their most commercially successful album is the stadium rock-laden "Once Upon a Time", and two of their most recent albums, "Graffiti Soul" and "Big Music", have been well-received among fans and critics.

Besides "Don't You (Forget About Me)", the band has also such popular songs as "Waterfront", "The American", "Belfast Child", "I Travel", "Someone, Somewhere (in Summertime)", "Promised You a Miracle", "Let There Be Love", "She's a River", "War Babies", "Home", "Moscow Underground", "Imagination" and "Sense of Discovery."

Simple Minds is currently celebrating their 40th anniversary with a tour in Europe. You can find more information about the tour & tickets here: https://www.simpleminds.com/2019/09/30/simple-minds-40-years-of-hits-tour-2020/

The Official Simple Minds Website[www.simpleminds.com]
Dream Giver Redux[www.simpleminds.org]

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RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Andy Gillespie has left Simple Minds

November 13, 2017 - >Snickers< | 0 Comments

Jim Kerr has recently confirmed (in his usual, unostentatious manner) on Facebook that long-time keyboardist/programmer, composer and contributor to the band, Andy Gillespie, is no longer with Simple Minds. Andy's departure occurs between the most recent acoustic tour and what is suspected to be either a 40th anniversary tour and/or promotional tour for the upcoming 17th studio album. This is now the second major loss to the "second classic" core line-up, the first one being Eddie Duffy's dramatic departure in 2010.

No reason was given, although Jim hinted that it was on good terms and that it is possible that Andy will return sometime in the future. This could very well be the case, if one assumes Andy is once again occupied with SoundControl (or some other project) like in 2005–2007 when he missed out the majority of Black and White Tour. Nevertheless, it is very likely that some of Andy's compositions and studio work will be heard on the next album (and possibly even on the album following it), considering that he was involved in its production.

You can read Jim's post here: https://www.facebook.com/simpleminds/photos/a.102345883178690.4717.100317830048162/1507991089280822/?type=3

Additionally, there have been rumours circulating that Mel Gaynor is also leaving the band, although these have NOT been confirmed. Most of these originate from an interview written in French about Mel's upcoming solo project as well as now-deleted Facebook comments made by Jim's younger brother Paul Kerr. The interview reveals that Mel has moved from England to Belgium with his wife and has fathered a son, explained uncertainty about his involvement in the upcoming tour and that "Simple Minds members are not his best friends in the world, but they keep in touch" (fan translation). He also confirmed that his playing will be featured on the band's next album.

Paul Kerr, on the other hand, made several, very hostile-in-tone posts on Facebook a few months ago where he claimed that both Andy and Mel have left the band. Considering that we don't know how much Paul is involved in Simple Minds' inner politics (if at all – he's more of an ally to former Minds bassist Derek Forbes), his claims should not be taken as official word. Curiously enough, the posts have since been deleted. While Paul turned out to be partially right about Andy, it is recommended to wait for a proper announcement from the band.

A reminder: 'X5' is now in stores!

February 27, 2012 - >Snickers< | 0 Comments

Fans waiting for the next Simple Minds album might want to take a look into the band's latest box set. called 'X5'. While most hardcore fans would agree that there's no point in buying the same album twice, the 'X5' offers good incentive for them: rare gems such as "Special View", "Garden of Hate", "Film Theme Dub" and the vocal take of "Soundtrack for Every Heaven" called "In Every Heaven", plus a handful of other tracks that were missing from the recent 'Themes' box set, have finally been remastered for compact discs and are included here!

I've also seen the album sold at rather cheap price, even in the usually expensive Finland: you can get 'X5' for roughly 15 to 17€! Compare this to the U2's special edition release of 'The Joshua Tree' I saw at a local store; this release contains two CDs and has a price tag of 38€. There's a slight difference, wouldn't you agree?

There's also been some rumours that this is a limited release but then again, that term has been abused beyond recognition by the film and record industry (for example, you can still see copies of supposedly limited edition 'Star Wars', 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return of the Jedi' theatrical version DVDs in stores).