Under-rated or rightly dismissed: early Simple Minds

[Stacy Heydon]

Sept 18, 2024 12:39:36 GMT fange said:

I found the first hour was quite interesting, from setting the scene about a group of friends who met amongst the tower blocks of Glasgow who went on to become a huge global act, but the last 20 mins. or so did drag a bit, as much as i'm happy they are still feeling the spirit and playing music.

There were a LOT of guest talking heads though, and quite incongruous ones to me (Dave Gahan, really?), which is fine I guess to a point, but I am very disappointed that they couldn't get/didn't want to have Derek Forbes, Mick MacNeil or Brian McGee to be in it. Yeah, I get it, it was and always will be the Jim and Charlie Show deep down, but a little time hearing from the actual band members who, to a lot of core fans, are still synonymous with the band's best years, would have been a lot more enjoyable than listening to Trevor Horn or Sharleen Spiteri. Bob Geldof was a bit of a laugh though, hoary old bastard.

It's a complete rewrite of history. Forbes and MacNeil contributed a lot of the musical ideas that were integral to the success of those records. We've seen how good Kerr and Burchill are without them and the answer is not very!

[rayge]

A band that completely passed me by, although I was well keen on buying records during their pomp. I've never heard any of their albums that I remember, and have forgotten any singles that might have played while I was watching TOTP.
I have however, sold several of their records, and play-graded some (doesn't really count as listening as I'm concentrating on any flaws or problems) as Ms Thang's late husband was a friend and supporter of the band, to the extent that when he died, Jim Kerr wrote his obit in The Independent.

["BING E BONG"]

WHOA

[harrylemon]

An ex of mine taught Kerr's brother in primary school. Don't know if it's the brother that was jailed for arson and then stalking.