Simply Red

Editorial

After 25 years and 10 albums, Simply Red have decided to call it a day. Lead singer Mick Hucknall wants to pursue a solo career, so he's seeing off the old juggernaut with one last world tour. The group got their start at the Sex Pistols's infamous Manchester performance in 1977. Among the audience were Hucknall and future members of Joy Division, The Smiths, Buzzcocks and New Order. Pretty much everyone in the audience was inspired by the shambling Sex Pistols and set out to create their own band.

Eight years later Simply Red released their debut single, Money's Too Tight (To Mention). A year later, Holding Back The Years went to number one around the world and made the band international stars. Over the next decade Hucknall and group would sell millions of albums internationally. By the time The New Flame (1989) and Stars (1991) were released, Simply Red were one of the biggest bands in the world.

Things have been a lot quieter this decade and have seen Mick Hucknall branching out under his own name. He's moved away from the soul sound that Simply Red are known for, in favour of vintage R&B from the '50s and '60s. Still, there are millions of fans out there and this tour is a last chance for them to hear classics like A New Flame and Fairground live.
Mikolai, October 2008