Simple Minds

Simple Minds emerged at the height of the New Wave movement to become one of Scotland’s biggest rock bands, releasing eight Platinum albums over their four-decade career. ∙ Their critical and commercial breakthrough came in 1982 with New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84), which featured a sound that frontman Jim Kerr called “ambient dance music.” ∙ Acclaimed producer Steve Lillywhite took the reins for 1984’s double-Platinum Sparkle in the Rain, including the hit “Waterfront,” a fan favorite and one of their signature songs. ∙ The band originally passed on recording the iconic smash “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” for the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, which became a global chart-topper after they relented. ∙ The 1985 album Once Upon a Time was loaded with radio hits, including “Alive and Kicking,” which reached the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. ∙ “Belfast Child,” written in the wake of 1987’s infamous Remembrance Day bombing in Northern Ireland, was nominated for a BRIT Award and became their first No. 1 single in the UK. ∙ In 2016, Simple Minds received an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection, honoring their 40 years of hit songwriting.