Simple Minds is a group of New wave and Scottish Rock founded in 1975 and thus baptized in 1977. Its international popularity culminated between 1984 and 1991. It is known general public for its participation in the original soundtrack of the film Breakfast Club with the tube Don' T You (Forget About Me) in 1985. The members who are indissociable for him are Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, founders and always present to date.

After one very creative and experimental initial period with albums as Life In has Day or Empires And Dance , the group reaches its maturity with the album New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) left in 1982, which enables him to obtain the recognition of the European public. As from this moment, two periods are to be distinguished: the period of glory, the medium of the Years 1980, leaving an image of group at stages and marked out of several hits world, then one period of less success even of confidentiality. The transition between these two moments is around the album Real Life in 1991, marking a certain disaffection of the public and criticism. However, the group negotiates the turn without main issue, sticking to an atmosphere plus intimist, then with a return to a more experimental sound, following the example Cry , album left in 2002.

Like U2, Simple Minds was characterized by its even political humane engagement (both being often dependant…). It in particular took part in the Live Aid of 1985, then composed two titles headlights of them of the album Street Fighting Years (left in 1989) evoking this engagement, Mandela Day and Belfast Child , the first on the situation then polemizes in South Africa, and second on the Community tensions in Ireland.

The group returns in September 2005 with a new album baptized Black & White 050505 which wants to be a return to the sound of glory, while bringing the new sonorities, sometimes described like close relations of U2.

Members

Current

• Jim Kerr since 1975 (song)
• Charlie Burchill since 1975 (guitars)
• Mel Gaynor of 1982 to 1991, then since 1997 (battery)
• Eddie Duffy since 1999 (low)
• Mark Taylor of 1991 to 1994 then since 2005 (keyboards)

Passed

• John Milarky in 1977 (guitars, voice, saxophone)
• Alan MacNeil in 1977 (guitars)
• Duncan Barnwell in 1978 (guitars)
• Brian McGee of 1977 to 1981 (battery and choruses)
• Kenny Hyslop of 1981 to 1982 (battery)
• Mike Ogletree in 1982 (battery)
• Mark Schulman of 1994 to 1995 (battery)
• Tony Donald of 1977 to 1978 (low)
• Derek Forbes of 1978 to 1983 then of 1997 to 1998 (low)
• Malcolm Foster of 1989 to 1995 (low)
• John Giblin of 1985 to 1988 (low)
• Michael MacNeil of 1978 to 1990 (keyboards)
• Andy Gillespie of 2002 to 2005 (keyboards)

Discography

See also: Discography of Simple Minds

Albums studio

• 1979 Life in has Day
• 1979 Real to Real Cacophony
• 1980 Empires and Dance
• 1981 Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call
• 1982 New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)
• 1984 Sparkle in the Rain
• 1985 Once Upon has Time
• 1989 Street Fighting Years
• 1991 Real Life
• 1995 Good News from the Next World
• 1998 Néapolis
• 1999 Our Secrecies are the Same (not published before 2004)
• 2001 Neon Lights
• 2002 Cry
• 2005 Black & White 050505

Albums live

• 1987 Live in the City off Light
• 1998 Real Live 91

Compilations

• 1981 Topics For Great Cities 79/81
• 1982 Celebration
• 1990 Topics - Volume 1: March 79 - April 82
• 1990 Topics - Volume 2: August 82 - April 85
• 1990 Topics - Volume 3: September 85 - June 87
• 1990 Topics - Volume 4: February 89 - May 90
• 1992 Glittering Prize 81/92
• 1997 The Promised
• 1998 The Early Years 1977-1978
• 2001 The Best Off Simple Minds
• 2002 The Best Off Simple Minds - Night Off The Proms Edition
• 2003 Early Gold
• 2004 Silver Box (box of five discs including/understanding Our Secrecies are the Same )

External bonds

• Official site;
• Dream Giver Redux covering Site for the going moment the period of 1975 in August 1982;
• Dream Giver Predecessor of the precedent, called to disappear;
• Crashing Happy And Fantasy;
• Glitterball;
• Visible Minds the site of the French fan-club;
• Sparkle* Through The Years vzw the site of the Belgian fan-club;
• Official site of Mel Gaynor, beater;
• Fansite d' Eddie Duffy, bass player;
• " Book off Brilliant Things" ;
• www.sosimpleminded.com - fan website