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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LIFE WAITS FOR NO ONE!
“Great music can be uplifting, transportive, transcendent,” writes Sean O'Hagan.
“When we play an instrument (including singing), we are engaging more mental facilities than almost any other activity: ... motor systems, motor planning, imagining, ...sensory auditory processing, and – if we’re inspired – creativity, spirituality, pro-social feelings and, possibly, a state of heightened awareness, coupled with a calm known as the flow state.”
It's why we do it Sean!
Now one year from when Simple Minds kick-started their global tour in New Zealand / Australia. Although plenty of great memories of those nights linger - 'blink' and we'll soon be packing our bags for this year's travels.
So, look out for Simple Minds live in Latin America, US and Canada.
Life waits for no-one, we'll be there soon!
Jim Kerr
Pic Thorsten Samesch
LIFE WAITS FOR NO ONE!
“Great music can be uplifting, transportive, transcendent,” writes Sean O'Hagan.
“When we play an instrument (including singing), we are engaging more mental facilities than almost any other activity: ... motor systems, motor planning, imagining, ...sensory auditory processing, and – if we’re inspired – creativity, spirituality, pro-social feelings and, possibly, a state of heightened awareness, coupled with a calm known as the flow state.”
It's why we do it Sean!
Now one year from when Simple Minds kick-started their global tour in New Zealand / Australia. Although plenty of great memories of those nights linger - 'blink' and we'll soon be packing our bags for this year's travels.
So, look out for Simple Minds live in Latin America, US and Canada.
Life waits for no-one, we'll be there soon!
Jim Kerr
Pic Thorsten Samesch
To celebrate the anniversary of their first live show at Glasgow’s Satellite City on 17th January 1978, Simple Minds have released the video for ‘Your Name in Lights’, the soundtrack to their critically acclaimed documentary ‘Everything Is Possible’.
Watch the video on YouTube.
To celebrate the anniversary of their first live show at Glasgow’s Satellite City on 17th January 1978, Simple Minds have released the video for 'Your Name in Lights', the soundtrack to their critically acclaimed documentary 'Everything Is Possible'.
Watch the video ...here: https://simpleminds.lnk.to/YourNameInLightsVideoFA
To celebrate the anniversary of their first live show at Glasgow’s Satellite City on 17th Jan 1978, Simple Minds have released the video for 'Your Name in Lights', the soundtrack to their critically acclaimed documentary 'Everything Is Possible'.
...https://simpleminds.lnk.to/YourNameInLightsVideoTW
Simple Minds - Your Name In Lights (Official Video)
IT WAS JANUARY. 17. 1978.
What do I recall about that night? I recall everything about that night.
I even recall what I ate.
Nothing!
That's how nervous I was throughout that day and the days leading to Simple Minds first ever gig.
Did I think then that ...forty-seven years later, Simple Minds would still be crucial to my existence?
Yes, I did!
Honestly. As soon as Charlie struck the opening chords…A surge of energy shot up through my spine - and the thought flashed through me.
"We'll go on forever."
Well, nothing lasts for ever.
But I have loved every minute and I believe Simple Minds could continue for years still to come.
Jim Kerr
pic: John Gresham
IT WAS JANUARY. 17. 1978.
What do I recall about that night? I recall everything about that night.
I even recall what I ate.
Nothing!
That's how nervous I was throughout that day and the days leading to Simple Minds first ever gig.
Did I think then that ...forty-seven years later, Simple Minds would still be crucial to my existence?
Yes, I did!
Honestly. As soon as Charlie struck the opening chords…A surge of energy shot up through my spine - and the thought flashed through me.
"We'll go on forever."
Well, nothing lasts for ever.
But I have loved every minute and I believe Simple Minds could continue for years still to come.
Jim Kerr
pic: John Gresham
LIFE WAITS FOR NO ONE!
“Great music can be uplifting, transportive, transcendent,” writes Sean O'Hagan.
“When we play an instrument (including singing), we are engaging more ...mental facilities than almost any other activity: ... motor systems, motor planning, imagining, sensory auditory processing, and – if we’re inspired – creativity, spirituality, pro-social feelings and, possibly, a state of heightened awareness, coupled with a calm known as the flow state.”
It's why we do it Sean!
Now one year from when Simple Minds kick-started their global tour in New Zealand / Australia. Although plenty of great memories of those nights linger - 'blink' and we'll soon be packing our bags for this year's travels.
So, look out for Simple Minds live in Latin America, US and Canada.
Life waits for no-one, we'll be there soon!
Jim Kerr
Pic Thorsten Samesch
To celebrate the anniversary of their first live show at Glasgow’s Satellite City on 17th January 1978, Simple Minds have released the video for ‘Your Name in Lights’, the soundtrack to their ...critically acclaimed documentary ‘Everything Is Possible’.
Watch the video on YouTube.
IT WAS JANUARY. 17. 1978.
What do I recall about that night? I recall everything about that night.
I even recall what I ate.
Nothing!
That's how nervous I was ...throughout that day and the days leading to Simple Minds first ever gig.
Did I think then that forty-seven years later, Simple Minds would still be crucial to my existence?
Yes, I did!
Honestly. As soon as Charlie struck the opening chords…A surge of energy shot up through my spine - and the thought flashed through me.
"We'll go on forever."
Well, nothing lasts for ever.
But I have loved every minute and I believe Simple Minds could continue for years still to come.
Jim Kerr
pic: John Gresham
40 years ago this month, Simple Minds performed a series of shows at Glasgow’s legendary Barrowland Ballroom.
Credit: Media Scotland
40 years on, you still haven’t forgotten ❤️ ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ will turn 40 this year!
AMAZING BOOK!
"Finally got around to reading this amazing book. If you haven’t read it yet… it’s a must." Ronan Morris.
"It's a stunning book. I fell in ...love with those early, pivotal albums all over again when I read it." Alex Storer.
"Graeme Thomson is a fine writer." Guy Godmon.
LIVE IN 25!
"More touring in '25? Yes, I feel that Simple Minds have a competitive spirit that may carry us around the world for a good while longer still. Also have a really great... band. Sometimes you come across a musician whose performance is worth the price alone, @cherissedrums is one of those."
Jim Kerr on Bauer Radio
Image: Thorsten Samesch.
Tickets for the 2025 Simple Minds summer shows are on sale now via link in bio.
SIMPLE MINDS FANS WORLDWIDE!
In a year of numerous highlights, still nothing means more to Simple Minds than giving their best at every live show.
The pleasure was all ours from January... to August as we travelled through New Zealand, Australia, Emirates, UK and Europe, performing loud and proud while still in disbelief that wherever in the world we go, we are welcomed with a warmth beyond all expectation.
For that we give a huge thanks to those who made the effort to see Simple Minds play live during '24 - while doing the same to all who are already looking forward to seeing us in '25.
In the meantime, we wish A Very Happy New Year to Simple Minds fans and supporters worldwide!
Image: Thorsten Samesch
MONSTERS AND OTHER THINGS DEPRESSING!
“Being a frontman in particular? Maaan! That takes ‘indestructible certainty’ in one's own ability. There’s a monster part that lives ...inside every frontman.” Richard Hell
"Frontmen not only do the majority of the work, but their personalities are singled out and taken as the general attitude of the unit." Jimmy Page
"Lead singers? Pain in the ass!" Keith Richards.
Most people can sing to some degree. It's true.
In any underground station or city centre arcade, there will be someone singing "The Times They Are - A Changin,' or 'Hallelujah,' or something equally depressing.
But who cares when the world is full of people who can sing?
A great frontman is something different altogether. It's a role that can't be taught, either you are born with it; or not?
All there! All the time! Right upfront! Part of the group but also independent, commanding 'the space' between audience and band, pulling it all together.
A great frontman can move us emotionally so that we are seemingly transported into their world.
All of which goes without saying... But I'll say it just in case.
Even the greatest frontmen would be rendered impotent within minutes.
Without a great band behind them!
Jim Kerr
Tickets for the 2025 Simple Minds summer shows in the UK & Ireland are on sale now!
MERRY CHRISTMAS... THANKS A BILLION!
My parents made it so that every Christmas felt magical for me as a kid.
However, by the age of 13 I was suddenly less inclined to join in with ...the family traditions and recall spending most of the holiday within the confines of my bedroom, listening on repeat to David Bowie's latest single release.
The title of the song was 'The Jean Genie' and only 5 years later I would look at its lyrics when deciding on a name for the band we had furtively envisioned creating. A band called Simple Minds.
7 years on that same band would give up spending Christmas Day with their families, instead responding to an urgent request from the record company In Los Angeles, calling out for Simple Minds to create ‘asap’ an 'MTV friendly' video clip to accompany a track we had recorded only a few weeks earlier.
The song was called Don't You Forget About Me, and 40 years later, more than a billion - (1,000,000,000) people still enjoy listening to that song and watching that clip!
All of which gives us great reason to genuinely say thanks to each and every one - while also wishing Seasons Greetings and Merry Christmas to Simple Minds fans the world over!
Jim Kerr
* Simple Minds are happy to announce that 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' has surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify! Thank you to everyone for a great year of streaming in 2024.
*Join the Simple Minds mailing list to be the first to know what’s coming in 2025! Plus watch the video diary by Cherisse Osei , with a behind the scenes look at the 2024 Global Tour and interviews with the band.
Sign up at the Simple Minds Official website.
Join the Simple Minds mailing list to be the first to know what’s coming in 2025! Plus watch the video diary by @cherissedrums, with a behind the scenes look at the 2024 Global Tour and interviews ...with the band.
Sign up through the link in bio.
Simple Minds are happy to announce that ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ has surpassed 1 billion streams on @spotify! Thank you to everyone for a great year of streaming in 2024.
...‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ turns 40 in 2025, so look out for more news and announcements coming soon!
To celebrate the anniversary of their first live show at Glasgow’s Satellite City on 17th Jan 1978, Simple Minds have released the video for 'Your Name in Lights', the soundtrack to their... critically acclaimed documentary 'Everything Is Possible'.
https://simpleminds.lnk.to/YourNameInLightsVideoTW
40 years ago this month, Simple Minds performed a series of shows at Glasgow’s legendary Barrowland Ballroom.
Credit: Media Scotland
Join the Simple Minds mailing list to be the first to know what’s coming in 2025! Plus watch the video diary by @Cherissedrums, with a behind the scenes look at the 2024 Global Tour and interviews ...with the band.
Sign up here: https://simpleminds.os.fan/exclusive-simple-minds-content
Simple Minds are happy to announce that 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' has surpassed 1 billion streams on @Spotify! Thank you to everyone for a great year of streaming in 2024.
The critically acclaimed documentary 'Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible' will be available on @BBCiPlayer in the UK from 10pm GMT tonight, coinciding with its special broadcast on ...@BBCScotland.
We’re pleased to announce that this Tuesday, Simple Minds' career-spanning documentary 'Everything Is Possible' arrives on @BBCiPlayer and airs on @BBCScotland at 10pm GMT.
Simple Minds will bring their Global Tour to the Guitare en Scène Festival in Saint Julien en Genevoix on Wednesday 16 July.
Tickets are on sale now: ...https://www.guitare-en-scene.com/billetterie
Waterfront - Live on Top of the Pops, 1983.
#SparkleInTheRain40
Simple Minds will be joined on various dates of their UK summer tour next year by special guests @AlisonMoyet, @ChinaCrisisUK and @KTTunstall.
Tickets on sale now: ...https://www.simpleminds.com/tour/
Just announced, Simple Minds will be performing at @bospop festival in Weert on Saturday 12th July 2025.
Tickets are available from Friday December 6 at 11am CET via ...https://bospopfestival.nl/tickets/
Italy 🇮🇹 Simple Minds will be performing a second show at Teatro Antico di Taormina next year on July 26th.
Tickets are on sale now: https://www.simpleminds.com/tour/
Enjoy up to 50% off selected items in the official Simple Minds stores during their #BlackFriday sale, running from Friday 29 November at 00:01 to Monday 2 December.
Music: ...https://store.simpleminds.com/
Tour Merch: https://tourstore.simpleminds.com/collections/black-friday-up-to-50-off
Simple Minds - Your Name In Lights (Official Video)
40 years on, you still haven’t forgotten ❤️ #DontYouForgetAboutMe
Join the Simple Minds mailing list to be the first to know what’s coming in 2025! Link in bio.
'Don't You (Forget About Me)' has surpassed 1 billion streams on @Spotify!
Simple Minds today release a brand new single 'Your Name in Lights'! #SimpleMinds #NewMusic
Simple Minds - Your Name In Lights (Official Audio)
Waterfront - Live on Top of the Pops, 1983. #SimpleMinds
Celebrate 40 years of 'Sparkle In The Rain' with new anniversary products released today!
Waterfront - Live at the @isleofwightfest, 2024. #SimpleMinds
Tickets on sale now. #SimpleMinds #Glasgow #LiveMusic
Simple Minds released 'Alive and Kicking' this week in 1985. #SimpleMinds #AliveAndKicking
