Band & Artist Dossier

Simple Minds

Origin: Glasgow, Scotland · Active Years: 1977-present

A detailed catalogue profile for Simple Minds.

In this archive

2 album / credit record(s) · Arena Rock/New Wave, New Wave/Synth-Pop

Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977 by school friends Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill out of the ashes of short-lived punk act Johnny & the Self-Abusers, taking their new name from a line in David Bowie's 'The Jean Genie.' Rounded out by keyboardist Mick MacNeil, bassist Derek Forbes and drummer Brian McGee, the band moved from post-punk/art-rock experimentation (Empires and Dance, 1980) through the shimmering New Gold Dream (1982) into full arena-rock status with Once Upon a Time (1985), with Kerr and Burchill remaining the only members present throughout the band's history.

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Band Lineup & Member Profiles

Lead vocals
1977-present
Co-founded the band with childhood friend Charlie Burchill from the wreckage of Johnny & the Self-Abusers and has fronted every Simple Minds line-up since.
Guitar, backing vocals
1977-present
Kerr's songwriting partner since childhood in Glasgow's Toryglen; his effects-laden, atmospheric guitar sound became a defining element of the band's 'sonic cathedral' style.
Keyboards
1977-1990
Joined the earliest Simple Minds line-up and provided the shimmering synth textures central to New Gold Dream and other early-80s records.
Bass
1978-1985
Played on the band's classic run from Empires and Dance through Once Upon a Time before departing in the mid-80s.

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Photo & Visual Gallery

Complete 1980s Studio Discography

8 studio albums released from 1980–1989 by Simple Minds. Archived records link directly to full dossiers; remaining releases are queued for harvesting. MusicBrainz source.

♫ 1980
Empires and Dance
1980 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
♫ 1981
Sister Feelings Call
1981 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
♫ 1981
Sons and Fascination
1981 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
New Gold Dream (81‐82‐83‐84) cover
New Gold Dream (81‐82‐83‐84)
1982 · Virgin Records
✓ In Archive — Open Dossier →
♫ 1984
Sparkle in the Rain
1984 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
Once Upon a Time cover
Once Upon a Time
1985 · Virgin
✓ In Archive — Open Dossier →
♫ 1989
Street Fighting Years
1989 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting
♫ 1989
This is Your Land
1989 ·
⏳ Queued for Harvesting

80s discography & production credits in the archive

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