Simple Minds

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. The group currently consists of founding members Jim Kerr (vocals) and Charlie Burchill (guitar), who are joined by guest musicians for studio recordings and live performances. Notable former members include Mick MacNeil (keyboards), Derek Forbes (bass), Brian McGee (drums), Mel Gaynor (drums), and John Giblin (bass).

The band initially signed with Arista Records and released their debut album, "Life in a Day," in 1979, achieving moderate commercial results. Their next two albums, "Real to Real Cacophony" (1979) and "Empires and Dance" (1980), received critical acclaim but saw limited sales. After switching to Virgin Records, Simple Minds released "Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call" (1981), which became their first album to enter the top twenty in the United Kingdom. The following album, "New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)" (1982), marked their major commercial breakthrough, reaching the top ten in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden, and becoming their first entry on the Billboard 200 in the United States. The album produced three UK top forty singles: "Promised You a Miracle," "Glittering Prize," and "Someone Somewhere in Summertime."

"Sparkle in the Rain" (1984) continued their commercial success and included the hit single "Waterfront." In 1985, Simple Minds released "Don't You (Forget About Me)" for the soundtrack of the film "The Breakfast Club." The song became their breakthrough in the United States, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Their next album, "Once Upon a Time" (1985), achieved number one in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, reached the top three in Canada and New Zealand, and entered the top ten in the United States. The album included the singles "Alive and Kicking," "Sanctify Yourself," "All the Things She Said," and "Ghostdancing." Their success continued with the album "Street Fighting Years" (1989), whose lead single "Belfast Child" reached number one in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

The band released "Real Life" in 1991 and "Good News from the Next World" in 1995, after which their commercial impact declined during the late 1990s. Simple Minds later returned to the charts with albums including "Graffiti Soul" (2009), "Walk Between Worlds" (2018), and "Direction of the Heart" (2022).

Simple Minds have sold more than 60 million albums worldwide and were one of the most commercially successful Scottish bands of the 1980s. They received the Q Inspiration Award in 2014 and an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection in 2016. Additional recognitions include nominations for the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Direction and Best Art Direction for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" in 1985, a Brit Award nomination for British Group in 1986, an American Music Award nomination for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group in 1987, and a Brit Award nomination for Song of the Year in 1990 for "Belfast Child."

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Minds

Discography Life in a Day (1979) Real to Real Cacophony (1979) Empires and Dance (1980) Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call (1981) New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) (1982) Sparkle in the Rain (1984) Once Upon a Time (1985) Street Fighting Years (1989) Real Life (1991) Good News from the Next World (1995) Néapolis (1998) Our Secrets Are the Same (1999/2004) Neon Lights (2001) Cry (2002) Black & White 050505 (2005) Graffiti Soul (2009) Big Music (2014) Acoustic (2016) Walk Between Worlds (2018) Direction of the Heart (2022)