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Simple Minds

Simple Minds

Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band who achieved worldwide popularity from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. Although experiencing significant personnel changes, it has continued to tour to a cult following through that decade and into the new millennium. The core of the band is the two remaining founding members – Jim Kerr (vocals, songwriting) and Charlie Burchill (guitars, keyboards after 1990, other instruments, songwriting) – and drummer Mel Gaynor (who first joined the band in 1982). The other current band members are Andy Gillespie (keyboards) and Ged Grimes (bass guitar). Former members include bass guitarist Derek Forbes, drummer Brian McGee, and keyboardist Mick MacNeil.

Links To Peel[]

Like most of Simple Minds' first wave of fans, Peel preferred their earlier experimental incarnation to the more globally popular stadium rock which took over from the mid 1980s. On the show of 02 January 1980 he says he was less than impressed with their first album but had listened to Real To Real Cacophony several times and fearing it would get little airplay, decided he should play the entire album over four shows.

In John Peel's Scottish Sessions Jim Kerr talks about how much better the Skids were than Johnny and the Self-Abusers but that Peel was crucial to Simple Minds success.

A great favourite of Peel was the 1981 single The American, which he played sporadically over the years, though he was caught out by the sudden ending on his first play of the record. This is the only Simple Minds track John is known to have played after 1984. On 25 January 1984 (BFBS) he stated that their single "Speed Your Love To Me" was their first he hadn't cared for, opining that it was veering towards progressive rock.

Festive Fifty Entries[]

Sessions[]

1. Recorded: 1979-12-19. First broadcast on John Peel Show: 07 January 1980. Repeated: 31 January 1980, 10 February 1982. Available on CD Box Set Silver Box Virgin CDBOX9. Premonition also available on v/a album Movement: BBC Radio 1 Peel Sessions 1977-1979 BBC Worldwide / EMI CDPEEL 7779

  • Changeling / Premonition / Citizen (Dance Of Youth) / Room
Simple_Minds_-_Peel_Session_1982

Simple Minds - Peel Session 1982

2. Recorded: 1982-02-15. First broadcast: 01 March 1982. Repeated: 23 March 1982, 20 April 1982, 20 December 1982, 03 April 1985 (Muriel Gray) .

  • Promised You A Miracle / Love Song / Sons And Fascination / King Is White And In The Crowd

Available on deluxe edition of New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84), issued 2016.

Simple Minds had recorded another session for Kid Jensen just days before this one for John Peel, on 11 February 1982, broadcast on 23 February 1982, and went on to record another session for Jensen's show on 13 August 1982, broadcast on 26 September 1982.

(Please correct mistakes and add any missing info)

Other Shows Played[]

Simple_Minds_-_Glittering_Prize

Simple Minds - Glittering Prize

'Glittering Prize', #45 in the 1982 Festive Fifty

1979
Simple_Minds-Someone_Somewhere_(Live_Newcastle_1982)_REMASTERED_STEREO

Simple Minds-Someone Somewhere (Live Newcastle 1982) REMASTERED STEREO

'Someone Somewhere', #32 in the 1982 Festive Fifty

1980
Simple_Minds_-_Promised_You_A_Miracle

Simple Minds - Promised You A Miracle

'Promised You A Miracle', #30 in the 1982 Festive Fifty

1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1990s
2000s

(Please add any missing info)

Top Of The Pops[]

See Also[]

External Links[]

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