Simply Red
Encyclopedia
Simply Red were a British soul
band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul
, new romantic
, rock, reggae
and jazz. Since their early days the main driving force behind the band was singer Mick Hucknall
, who by the time the band broke up in 2010 was the only original member left.
gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall
in Manchester
, England. Manchester art student Mick Hucknall was one of the many young music fans present, along with Mark E. Smith
of The Fall as well as original members of the bands Joy Division
, The Smiths
and Buzzcocks
. The first incarnation of the band was a punk group called The Frantic Elevators, which existed for 7 years, with limited releases on local labels. They split in 1984 with only limited local attention and critical acclaim for their final single, "Holding Back the Years
".
The initial Simply Red line-up consisted of Mick Hucknall (vocals), David Fryman (guitar), Tony Bowers
(bass), Fritz McIntyre
(keyboards), Tim Kellett
(brass), and Chris Joyce
(drums). Bowers and Joyce had both previously been members of post-punk bands The Durutti Column
and The Mothmen
; Kellett had also been a member of The Durutti Column, though not at the same time as Bowers and Joyce.
Simply Red signed a contract with Elektra
in 1985, but after recording one track ("Red Box") Fryman left the group and was replaced by guitarist Sylvan Richardson, who was billed only as 'Sylvan'.
"Red Box" would eventually see release on the group's first single, but as a B-side. The A-side of the band's first single, released in 1985, was "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)
", a cover of a soul song originally recorded by The Valentine Brothers. This single had big international success, reaching the UK and Irish
Top 20, later the American, French and Dutch
Top 30, and the Italian Top 5. Their debut album, Picture Book
, was also released in 1985.
Several low-charting singles would follow for the band. Among the comparative flops was a re-recording of the Frantic Elevators' "Holding Back the Years", done up in a new soul-ballad style arrangement. Released as Simply Red's third single in 1985, the track initially placed outside the UK top 50. However upon being re-released in 1986, "Holding Back The Years" became a major hit, peaking at #1 in Ireland, #2 in Great Britain, #3 in the Netherlands, #20 in Italy and later #1 in the United States. The song established Simply Red as a household name.
Simply Red's second album, 1987's Men and Women
, saw the band adopting bowler hats and colourful suits instead of their earlier ragamuffin look. As well, the introspection and social commentary of their debut album was replaced by a blue-eyed soul
sound with funk influences. Veteran Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier
co-authored two tracks with Hucknall for the album—these tracks were credited to 'Hucknall/Dozier/Hucknall' in the original album credits, as an homage to the famous Motown writing team of Holland/Dozier/Holland.
The album's lead single "The Right Thing" was another international hit, charting in the top 40 throughout Europe and North America. Several follow-up singles also met with modest success in the UK and elsewhere.
(billed as Heitor TP). At the same time, saxophonist Ian Kirkham
was added to the line-up.
With their third album A New Flame
in 1989, Simply Red adopted a yet more mainstream populist sound aimed for commercial rather than critical success, typified by their cover of Harold Melvin's pop classic "If You Don't Know Me By Now", which became their second U.S. #1 hit, and one of the biggest singles of the year internationally; and their greatest success to the point.
Hucknall was by this time an international superstar, being photographed with models and Hollywood celebrities. This seemed to harm the band's coherence as a unit, with Hucknall declaring in 1991 that Simply Red was "essentially a solo project". The rhythm section of Bowers and Joyce left around this time; they were replaced by bassist Shaun Ward and drummer Gota Yashiki
(often billed just as Gota).
The band's career peaked in late 1991 with the release of Stars, which became the best-selling album for two years running in Europe and the UK (though notably had far less success in the US than their previous albums). The album spun off five top 40 singles in the UK, and the singles "Something Got Me Started" and "Stars" were also significant chart hits throughout all of Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
After touring and promoting Stars for two years, Simply Red returned in 1995 with "Fairground", a dance-influenced track prominently featuring a sample from Zki & Dobri
's Goodmen project. A massive radio hit, "Fairground" went on to become the band's first and only British #1. Its parent album Life
sold more than a million copies in the UK alone, making it the fourth-biggest seller of the year. By this time, the band was officially Hucknall, McIntyre, Kirkham, Pereira, and new backing vocalist Dee Johnson. Guest musicians (including Sly & Robbie) filled in on drums and bass. During live shows and TV-show appearances Simply Red were also backed up by Steve Lewinson on bass, Velroy Bailey on drums, and second backing vocalist Sarah Brown.
The group issued the compilation album Greatest Hits in 1996, reportedly against Hucknall's wishes. The album featured one new track, a cover of the 1973 Aretha Franklin
hit "Angel
" which was co-produced with The Fugees
(who also served as backing musicians). Released as a single, "Angel" hit #6 UK.
1998 saw the release of the cover
-heavy Blue
, which spun off four UK top 40 singles, including the top 10 hits "Say You Love Me" and "The Air That I Breathe
" The follow-up album, 1999's Love and the Russian Winter
, was a relative disappointment, spawning two minor hits that failed to hit the top 10.
Simply Red were at this point dropped from their label. Hucknall subsequently set up 'simplyred.com' to handle releases of new recordings; the new label/website venture proved to be quite successful, as many of the band's simplyred.com releases sold and charted about as well as their earlier recordings.
The band released Home
in 2003 which was a mixture of original songs and covers, including a version of The Stylistics
song "You Make Me Feel Brand New", which hit UK #7. The album went Double Platinum in the United Kingdom, Gold in Canada, and Platinum in Europe. It featured two other hit singles: "Sunrise
" (#7 UK) and "Fake
" (#21 UK).
Simplified
followed in 2005, mainly an album of stripped down versions of their classic hits. The single "Perfect Love" made it to number 30 on the UK charts, the band's final top 30 placing.
The band's tenth—and as it would turn out, final—studio album Stay
was released on 12 March 2007. This was preceded by the single "So Not Over You", released on 5 March 2007, which would peak at #34 UK. Follow-up single "Stay" (released on 28 May 2007) peaked at #36 UK, and was the band's final placing in the UK top 100 (although they would release several non-charting follow-up singles in the following years).
Hucknall released his first solo album, Tribute to Bobby
on 19 May 2008.
Mick Hucknall announced that the name Simply Red would be retired after a farewell tour that started in early 2009, and ended in 2010.
The band's official line-up as they wound down was Mick Hucknall (vocals), Ian Kirkham (saxophone/keyboards), Dave Clayton (keyboards), Kenji Suzuki (guitar), Kevin Robinson (trumpet/flugelhorn/percussion), Steve Lewinson (bass guitar) and Pete Lewinson (drums). All had played on each of the band's last three studio albums, alongside other session musicians.
Simply Red's final concert took place at the O2 Arena in London on 19 December 2010. The concert was shown live at cinemas throughout the UK. The concert marked the end of Simply Red as a functioning artist.
British soul
British soul, Brit soul or the British soul invasion is soul music performed by British artists. Soul has been a major influence on British popular music since the 1960s, and American soul was extremely popular among some youth subcultures, such as mods, skinheads and the northern soul movement...
band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul is a media term that was used to describe rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, with a strong pop music influence. The term was first used in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and...
, new romantic
New Romantic
New Romanticism , was a pop culture movement in the United Kingdom that began around 1979 and peaked around 1981. Developing in London nightclubs such as Billy's and The Blitz and spreading to other major cities in the UK, it was based around flamboyant, eccentric fashion and new wave music...
, rock, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
and jazz. Since their early days the main driving force behind the band was singer Mick Hucknall
Mick Hucknall
Michael "Mick" Hucknall is a British singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the British band Simply Red, and is recognisable for his smooth, distinctive voice and wide vocal range, as well as his red curly hair.-Early life:...
, who by the time the band broke up in 2010 was the only original member left.
Pre-history: The Frantic Elevators (1977–1984)
Simply Red originated from the 1976 Sex PistolsSex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall
Free Trade Hall
The Free Trade Hall, Peter Street, Manchester, was a public hall constructed in 1853–6 on St Peter's Fields, the site of the Peterloo Massacre and is now a hotel. The hall was built to commemorate the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846. The architect was Edward Walters The hall subsequently was...
in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England. Manchester art student Mick Hucknall was one of the many young music fans present, along with Mark E. Smith
Mark E. Smith
Mark Edward Smith is the lead singer, lyricist, frontman, and only constant member of the English post-punk band The Fall.-Early life:...
of The Fall as well as original members of the bands Joy Division
Joy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
. The first incarnation of the band was a punk group called The Frantic Elevators, which existed for 7 years, with limited releases on local labels. They split in 1984 with only limited local attention and critical acclaim for their final single, "Holding Back the Years
Holding Back The Years
"Holding Back the Years" is the 7th track of Simply Red's debut studio album Picture Book. The song was a smash success for the group and quickly rose to the top of charts across the world. It remains their most successful single, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending 12...
".
Formation and early success (1985–1988)
After the demise of The Frantic Elevators, Hucknall linked up with manager Elliot Rashman. By early 1985, Hucknall and Rashman had assembled a band of local session musicians, and began to attract record company attention. Around this time, the group adopted the name Red (after Hucknall's nickname, which denoted hair colour). The name Simply Red came when the manager of a local venue was confused about the band's name and Hucknall replied that the band's name was "Red, simply [just] Red." The resulting misnomer was printed on publicity posters as "Simply Red," and the name stuck.The initial Simply Red line-up consisted of Mick Hucknall (vocals), David Fryman (guitar), Tony Bowers
Tony Bowers
Tony Bowers is a musician based in Italy who has worked with many bands, including Simply Red in the 1980s.He debuted with a blues band called Blind Eye, as second guitarist, although isn't considered as former member...
(bass), Fritz McIntyre
Fritz McIntyre
Fritz McIntyre is a British musician, most famous for his tenure as keyboard player in the original line-up of Simply Red.-Career:...
(keyboards), Tim Kellett
Tim Kellett
Tim Kellett is an English musician, songwriter and record producer.-Biography:Kellett has worked in the British music industry for the past twenty five years...
(brass), and Chris Joyce
Chris Joyce
Chris Joyce is known for being drummer with different new wave groups and with Simply Red in the 1980s.Coming from Didsbury, Manchester, he adopted the hippie lifestyle...
(drums). Bowers and Joyce had both previously been members of post-punk bands The Durutti Column
The Durutti Column
The Durutti Column are an English post-punk band formed in 1978 in Manchester, England. The band is an ongoing project of guitarist Vini Reilly who is often accompanied by drummer Bruce Mitchell. Other current members are Keir Stewart and Reilly's girlfriend Poppy Morgan...
and The Mothmen
The Mothmen
The Mothmen were a short-lived post-punk band from England, formed around 1979 by Dave Rowbotham, Chris Joyce and Tony Bowers, shortly after they left The Durutti Column, including ex-Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias singer Bob Harding.-History:...
; Kellett had also been a member of The Durutti Column, though not at the same time as Bowers and Joyce.
Simply Red signed a contract with Elektra
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
in 1985, but after recording one track ("Red Box") Fryman left the group and was replaced by guitarist Sylvan Richardson, who was billed only as 'Sylvan'.
"Red Box" would eventually see release on the group's first single, but as a B-side. The A-side of the band's first single, released in 1985, was "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)
Money's Too Tight (To Mention)
"Money's Too Tight " is a song written and first recorded by The Valentine Brothers, John Valentine and Billy Valentine, and released as a single in 1982. It was covered by the British pop/soul group Simply Red in 1985...
", a cover of a soul song originally recorded by The Valentine Brothers. This single had big international success, reaching the UK and Irish
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Top 20, later the American, French and Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
Top 30, and the Italian Top 5. Their debut album, Picture Book
Picture Book (album)
Picture Book is the debut album by British pop group Simply Red, released in October 1985. It contains the #1 single "Holding Back the Years" and a cover of The Valentine Brothers' "Money’s Too Tight ".-Track listing:Side one...
, was also released in 1985.
Several low-charting singles would follow for the band. Among the comparative flops was a re-recording of the Frantic Elevators' "Holding Back the Years", done up in a new soul-ballad style arrangement. Released as Simply Red's third single in 1985, the track initially placed outside the UK top 50. However upon being re-released in 1986, "Holding Back The Years" became a major hit, peaking at #1 in Ireland, #2 in Great Britain, #3 in the Netherlands, #20 in Italy and later #1 in the United States. The song established Simply Red as a household name.
Simply Red's second album, 1987's Men and Women
Men and Women (album)
Men and Women is the second album released by British pop group Simply Red in 1987.-Track listing:Side one# "The Right Thing" - 4:19# "Infidelity" - 4:09# "Suffer" - 4:55...
, saw the band adopting bowler hats and colourful suits instead of their earlier ragamuffin look. As well, the introspection and social commentary of their debut album was replaced by a blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul is a media term that was used to describe rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, with a strong pop music influence. The term was first used in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and...
sound with funk influences. Veteran Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier
Lamont Dozier
Lamont Herbert Dozier is an American songwriter and record producer, born in Detroit, Michigan. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.-Career:...
co-authored two tracks with Hucknall for the album—these tracks were credited to 'Hucknall/Dozier/Hucknall' in the original album credits, as an homage to the famous Motown writing team of Holland/Dozier/Holland.
The album's lead single "The Right Thing" was another international hit, charting in the top 40 throughout Europe and North America. Several follow-up singles also met with modest success in the UK and elsewhere.
Peak years (1989–1995)
Guitarist Richardson left after the release of Men and Women, and was replaced by Heitor PereiraHeitor Pereira
Heitor Teixeira Pereira , or Heitor TP, is a Brazilian musician, who played with Simply Red and several famous musicians, like Elton John, Rod Stewart, k.d...
(billed as Heitor TP). At the same time, saxophonist Ian Kirkham
Ian Kirkham
Ian Kirkham is a world-renowned saxophonist, who has been the saxophone player for Simply Red since 1986. He started learning piano at five, and saxophone at eleven.-References:...
was added to the line-up.
With their third album A New Flame
A New Flame
A New Flame is the third album released by British pop group Simply Red in 1989. The album was a huge success worldwide becoming the bands first UK number one album and was certified 7x Platinum by the BPI for sales of 2,100,000 copies in the UK alone...
in 1989, Simply Red adopted a yet more mainstream populist sound aimed for commercial rather than critical success, typified by their cover of Harold Melvin's pop classic "If You Don't Know Me By Now", which became their second U.S. #1 hit, and one of the biggest singles of the year internationally; and their greatest success to the point.
Hucknall was by this time an international superstar, being photographed with models and Hollywood celebrities. This seemed to harm the band's coherence as a unit, with Hucknall declaring in 1991 that Simply Red was "essentially a solo project". The rhythm section of Bowers and Joyce left around this time; they were replaced by bassist Shaun Ward and drummer Gota Yashiki
Gota Yashiki
Gota Yashiki is both an independent acid jazz artist and drum player, as a member of the band Simply Red. He was born in Kyoto, Japan, on 26 February 1962, where at a young age he learned how to play traditional Japanese drums. This interest in drumming propelled him into the music scene, and he...
(often billed just as Gota).
The band's career peaked in late 1991 with the release of Stars, which became the best-selling album for two years running in Europe and the UK (though notably had far less success in the US than their previous albums). The album spun off five top 40 singles in the UK, and the singles "Something Got Me Started" and "Stars" were also significant chart hits throughout all of Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
After touring and promoting Stars for two years, Simply Red returned in 1995 with "Fairground", a dance-influenced track prominently featuring a sample from Zki & Dobri
Zki & Dobri
Zki & Dobre , are a Dutch house music duo from Haarlem, Netherlands. They comprise Gaston Steenkist and René ter Horst...
's Goodmen project. A massive radio hit, "Fairground" went on to become the band's first and only British #1. Its parent album Life
Life (Simply Red album)
Life was one of the most successful albums by Simply Red. Their song, "Fairground" was also their first number 1 hit in the UK. Due to this success, the album made #1 on the UK album chart. It also included "We're in This Together", the official theme song for Euro '96...
sold more than a million copies in the UK alone, making it the fourth-biggest seller of the year. By this time, the band was officially Hucknall, McIntyre, Kirkham, Pereira, and new backing vocalist Dee Johnson. Guest musicians (including Sly & Robbie) filled in on drums and bass. During live shows and TV-show appearances Simply Red were also backed up by Steve Lewinson on bass, Velroy Bailey on drums, and second backing vocalist Sarah Brown.
Mick Hucknall years (1996–2010)
McIntyre, the only original remaining band member aside from frontman Hucknall, left the group after the Life album, as did Heitor TP. From 1996 forward, Simply Red was essentially a trade name for Hucknall and a bevy of session musicians, which would vary from track to track (and gig to gig) as needed—although it should be noted that all post-1996 Simply Red albums and live shows did include contributions from sax player Ian Kirkham. As well, backing vocalist Dee Johnson and returning drummer Gota Yashiki (who would also play bass and co-produce several tracks on the group's later albums) were also frequently involved with the band's later recordings and shows, as was new keyboardist/co-producer Andy Wright.The group issued the compilation album Greatest Hits in 1996, reportedly against Hucknall's wishes. The album featured one new track, a cover of the 1973 Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
hit "Angel
Angel (Aretha Franklin song)
"Angel" is a soul ballad recorded by American singer Aretha Franklin. The song was co-written by Aretha's sister, Carolyn, and Sonny Saunders. Aretha co-produced the song with Quincy Jones and it originally appeared on Aretha's 1973 album "Hey Now Hey "...
" which was co-produced with The Fugees
The Fugees
Fugees were a Haitian American hip hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group were rapper/singer/producer Wyclef Jean, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill, and rapper Pras Michel...
(who also served as backing musicians). Released as a single, "Angel" hit #6 UK.
1998 saw the release of the cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
-heavy Blue
Blue (Simply Red album)
Blue is the sixth studio album by Simply Red, released on East West Records on May 19, 1998.The album includes five cover versions: "Mellow My Mind" from the 1975 Neil Young album Tonight's the Night; two versions of the frequently-covered "The Air That I Breathe" written by Albert Hammond and Mike...
, which spun off four UK top 40 singles, including the top 10 hits "Say You Love Me" and "The Air That I Breathe
The Air That I Breathe
"The Air That I Breathe" is a ballad written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, initially recorded by Albert Hammond on his 1972 album It Never Rains In Southern California.-History:...
" The follow-up album, 1999's Love and the Russian Winter
Love and the Russian Winter
Love and The Russian Winter is the seventh studio album by Simply Red, released on November 2, 1999.-Track listing:#"The Spirit of Life" – 4:42#"Ain't That a Lot of Love" – 3:56#"Your Eyes" – 4:15#"The Sky Is a Gypsy" – 4:33...
, was a relative disappointment, spawning two minor hits that failed to hit the top 10.
Simply Red were at this point dropped from their label. Hucknall subsequently set up 'simplyred.com' to handle releases of new recordings; the new label/website venture proved to be quite successful, as many of the band's simplyred.com releases sold and charted about as well as their earlier recordings.
The band released Home
Home (Simply Red album)
Home is the eighth Simply Red studio album, released in 2003. It is the first Simply Red album released on band frontman Mick Hucknall's own record label, Simplyred.com...
in 2003 which was a mixture of original songs and covers, including a version of The Stylistics
The Stylistics
The Stylistics are a soul music vocal group, and were one of the best-known Philadelphia soul groups of the 1970s. They formed in 1968, and were composed of lead Russell Thompkins, Jr., Herbie Murrell, Airrion Love, James Smith, and James Dunn. All of their US hits were ballads, graced by the...
song "You Make Me Feel Brand New", which hit UK #7. The album went Double Platinum in the United Kingdom, Gold in Canada, and Platinum in Europe. It featured two other hit singles: "Sunrise
Sunrise (Simply Red song)
"Sunrise" is a 2003 single released by Simply Red from the album Home. It was released in March 2003 as the first single from the album. The song contains a sample of Hall & Oates's 1981 smash hit "I Can't Go for That ". It peaked at #1 on the U.S...
" (#7 UK) and "Fake
Fake (Simply Red song)
"Fake" is the title of a song written and recorded by British soft rock group Simply Red. It was released in July 2003 as the second single from the album, Home. It was the next single after their international smash hit "Sunrise". It reached number-one on the U.S...
" (#21 UK).
Simplified
Simplified (Simply Red album)
Simplified is a Simply Red album released in 2005. It features new, rearranged recordings of the band's older songs, and four new songs: "Perfect Love" and an alternate version, "My Perfect Love", a cover of Leon Russell's "A Song for You", and "Smile"....
followed in 2005, mainly an album of stripped down versions of their classic hits. The single "Perfect Love" made it to number 30 on the UK charts, the band's final top 30 placing.
The band's tenth—and as it would turn out, final—studio album Stay
Stay (Simply Red album)
Stay is the tenth and final studio album from British pop group Simply Red. It was released on March 12, 2007 in the UK and entered the official charts at #4...
was released on 12 March 2007. This was preceded by the single "So Not Over You", released on 5 March 2007, which would peak at #34 UK. Follow-up single "Stay" (released on 28 May 2007) peaked at #36 UK, and was the band's final placing in the UK top 100 (although they would release several non-charting follow-up singles in the following years).
Hucknall released his first solo album, Tribute to Bobby
Tribute to Bobby
Tribute to Bobby is a 2008 album by Mick Hucknall and his first solo album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 19 May 2008 and is a collection of songs in tribute to the blues singer Bobby Bland.A DVD was also released along with the album...
on 19 May 2008.
Mick Hucknall announced that the name Simply Red would be retired after a farewell tour that started in early 2009, and ended in 2010.
The band's official line-up as they wound down was Mick Hucknall (vocals), Ian Kirkham (saxophone/keyboards), Dave Clayton (keyboards), Kenji Suzuki (guitar), Kevin Robinson (trumpet/flugelhorn/percussion), Steve Lewinson (bass guitar) and Pete Lewinson (drums). All had played on each of the band's last three studio albums, alongside other session musicians.
Simply Red's final concert took place at the O2 Arena in London on 19 December 2010. The concert was shown live at cinemas throughout the UK. The concert marked the end of Simply Red as a functioning artist.
Keyboardists
- Fritz McIntyreFritz McIntyreFritz McIntyre is a British musician, most famous for his tenure as keyboard player in the original line-up of Simply Red.-Career:...
(1985–1995) - Tim Vine (1996–1999)
- Andy Wright (1999–2007)
- Dave ClaytonDave ClaytonDave Clayton is a British keyboard player and record producer. He has recorded or played with, among others, Simply Red, ABC, Depeche Mode and Paul McCartney. He also has production credits with Kraftwerk and The Human League....
(2003–2010)
Guitarists
- David Fryman (1985)
- Sylvan Richardson (1985–1987)
- Aziz IbrahimAziz IbrahimAziz Ibrahim is a British musician. He was born in Longsight, Manchester to Pakistani parents. He is best known for his work as guitarist with Simply Red, The Stone Roses and their former vocalist Ian Brown in whose support band he regularly performs – both in the studio and live...
(1987) - Heitor PereiraHeitor PereiraHeitor Teixeira Pereira , or Heitor TP, is a Brazilian musician, who played with Simply Red and several famous musicians, like Elton John, Rod Stewart, k.d...
(1988–1996) - Mark Jaimes (1998–1999)
- Kenji Suzuki (1998–2010)
Bassists
- Tony BowersTony BowersTony Bowers is a musician based in Italy who has worked with many bands, including Simply Red in the 1980s.He debuted with a blues band called Blind Eye, as second guitarist, although isn't considered as former member...
(1985–1991) - Shaun Ward (1991–1995)
- Steve Lewinson (1995–1998, 2003–2010)
- Wayne Stobbart (1998–2003)
- Tim Vine (1999)
- Andy Wright (1999–2007)
Drummers
- Chris JoyceChris JoyceChris Joyce is known for being drummer with different new wave groups and with Simply Red in the 1980s.Coming from Didsbury, Manchester, he adopted the hippie lifestyle...
(1985–1991) - Velroy Bailey (1995–1998)
- Gota YashikiGota YashikiGota Yashiki is both an independent acid jazz artist and drum player, as a member of the band Simply Red. He was born in Kyoto, Japan, on 26 February 1962, where at a young age he learned how to play traditional Japanese drums. This interest in drumming propelled him into the music scene, and he...
(1991–1995, 1998–2003) - Pete Lewinson (2003–2010)
Brass
- Tim KellettTim KellettTim Kellett is an English musician, songwriter and record producer.-Biography:Kellett has worked in the British music industry for the past twenty five years...
(1985–1994) - John JohnsonJohn Johnson (musician)John Johnson is a musician , born 21 January 1964 in Dudley, Worcestershire, England.-Early life:...
(1998–2008) - Kevin Robinson (1999–2010)
See also
- Best selling music artists — World's top-selling music artists chart.
- List of number-one hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
External links
- simplyred.com – the official homepage
- Simply Red at WorldMusicDatabase
- Interview with Mick Hucknall (USA, 2003)
- Interview with Simply Red manager/label head, HitQuarters Jun 04