Begin jaren 80 liep ik in zwarte new wave kleren op de dansvloer kwartjes te zoeken. Na m'n punktijd zocht ik wat anders en kwam bij the new wave terecht. De koplopers in die scene waren de sinple minds. Iedereen dacht dat ze de wereld gingen veroveren en net als U2 nu de grootste band van de wereld zouden worden. Helaas, of misschien terecht, lukte dat niet. Op één of andere manier stagneerde hun platensucces en teren we nog steeds op oude klassiekers van de band. Belfast child was hun grootste hit terwijl ik toen al was afgehaakt.
Maar Sparkle in the rain en vooral New Gold Dream zijn pareltjes uit die tijd. Die iedere muziekliefhebber in de platenkast moet hebben.
After one unsuccessful single as Johnny & The Self Abusers, Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr formed the band in 1978 (1978 in music), along with Brian McGee and Tony Donald who was quickly replaced by Derek Forbes on bass guitar. Keyboard and synthesizer player Mick MacNeil was also recruited at this time. Drummer Mel Gaynor replaced McGee in 1984. The band's name was taken from a line in the David Bowie song "Jean Genie": "...so simple-minded, he can't drive his module".
Their initial recordings, such as Reel to Real Cacophony and Empires and Dance were highly acclaimed, though sales were slow until the band moved towards a more pop-oriented sound, beginning with the Steve Hillage-produced double album Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call (1981). Their early work and a number of experimental pieces subsequently were heavily inspired by Kraftwerk.
By 1984 (1984 in music), due to their much more accessible and critically acclaimed releases New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) and Sparkle in the Rain, as well as a number of UK charting singles, Simple Minds had gained a widespread fanbase, setting the stage for their breakthrough "Don't You (Forget About Me)". This song, written by Keith Forsey, was originally offered to Bryan Ferry, but he declined. As the only Simple Minds single release not to have been written by Kerr and Burchill, it is ironic that this became their biggest and most memorable hit. The song quickly became an American chart-topper, the only one Simple Minds would ever achieve there, as a result of its use in the popular film The Breakfast Club. It was initially less popular outside of the US, but soon became a top-selling hit across the world, as was the next album, Once Upon a Time, which did not include that song, but did include other hit singles "Alive and Kicking" and "Sanctify Yourself". During this period, which probably marked the high point of their popularity, Simple Minds were often compared by the music press and listeners alike to U2, though subsequently both bands headed in different musical directions. Many of their songs and videos of this period prominently featured singer Robin Clark, who is credited on "Once Upon a Time" as "additional lead singer".
After a live album In The City of Light (1987), Simple Minds, in an attempt to regain critical acceptance, released the unabashedly political and un-pop Street Fighting Years to positive reviews but relatively poor sales. The album included a cover of Peter Gabriel's song "Biko", as well as guest vocals by Lou Reed on the single "This is your Land". However the band did score their only number one UK singles hit from this album with The Ballad of the Streets containing the double A-sides of "Belfast Child", a reworking of the folk song "She Moved Through The Fair" and "Mandela Day". By the time the band returned with Real Life (1991), synth-rock was no longer popular. They have since released albums to a dwindling audience, despite embarking on a major stadium tour in 1991. Mick MacNeil left the group in 1989.
In 1995 they released Good News from the Next World, not really popular but revealing a quite different style they would follow for the next years. The limited edition Néapolis appeared across Europe in 1998 (by EMI Music Publishing for the first time), and featured two singles "Glitterball" and "War Babies" the from the album, and demonstrated a return to their electronic, pop-inspired roots. Our Secrets Are The Same, originally slated for release in 1999, became mired in lawsuits when EMI declined to release it, and became further compromised after it got leaked onto the internet. It was finally released in 2003 as the last CD in a five disc compilation entitled Silver Box, composed of previously unreleased demo tracks of early material, and live recordings from 1978 to 2003.
In June 2002, they released Cry. Their latest release, Black & White 050505, whose official publishing date is 12 September 2005 had already weeks before circulated the internet via radio station previews. This album has received notably good reviews but sales are unlikely to match, although the first single from the album, "Home," has gotten airplay on alternative rock radio stations in the US.
The band is touring in Europe during the first quarter of 2006 and Australia and New Zealand in May 2006.
[edit]
Former members
Mick MacNeil
Brian McGee
Derek Forbes
Malcolm Foster
John Giblin
Mark Taylor (Simple Minds)
Tony Donald
Kenny Hyslop
[edit]
Discography
Related article: Simple Minds discography
Life in a Day (1979)
Real to Real Cacophony (1979)
Empires and Dance (1980)
Sons and Fascination (1981)
Sister Feelings Call (1981)
Themes for Great Cities (1981)
Celebration (1982)
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) (1982)
Sparkle in the Rain (1984)
Once Upon A Time (1985)
In the City of Light (1987) (live)
Street Fighting Years (1989)
Real Life (1991)
Glittering Prize 81/92 (1992) (Greatest Hits compilation)
Good News from the Next World (1995)
The Promised (1997)
Neapolis (1998)
The Early Years (1998) (compilation)
Neon Lights (2001)
The Best of Simple Minds (2001) (compilation)
Cry (2002)
Silver Box (2003) (Compilation, includes Our Secrets are the Same)
Black & White 050505 September (2005) UK and Feb (2006) in the U.S
De band die nooit werd wat ze voorspelden. Maar wel een band waar ik met genot aan terugdenk.
Meer liefhebbers, van vooral hun oudere werk ?
Ik noem een Tony van Heemschut,een Loeki Knol,een Brammetje Biesterveld en natuurlijk een Japie Stobbe !