Simply Red
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in Manchester, England |
| Founder | Mick Hucknall |
| Headquarters | Manchester , England |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Simply Red is a British pop and soul ensemble originating from Manchester in 1985. Fronted by singer-songwriter Mick Hucknall, the only founding member still in the group, they have produced thirteen studio albums, beginning with Picture Book (1985) and most recently Time (2023), each securing a position within the top ten of the UK Albums Chart. Among these, A New Flame (1989), Stars (1991), Life (1995), Blue (1998), and their compilation Greatest Hits (1996) reached number one, with Stars standing out as one of the UK's highest-selling albums.
The band has attained ten singles within the UK top 10, including hits like "Stars", "Angel" featuring the Fugees, "The Air That I Breathe", and "Sunrise". Their track "Fairground" climbed to number one on the UK singles chart, while "Holding Back the Years" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now" both topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
At the Brit Awards in 1992 and 1993, Simply Red was honored as Best British Group. They received three Grammy Award nominations, including one for Best New Artist in 1987. Their rendition of "If You Don't Know Me by Now" earned songwriters Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff a Grammy for Best R&B Song. Although the band dissolved in 2010, they reunited in 2015 and have sold over 50 million albums globally.
1977–1984: The Frantic Elevators
Before Simply Red's formation, Hucknall was part of a punk outfit called the Frantic Elevators. Active for seven years with limited regional releases, their final single, "Holding Back the Years," released in 1984, received critical praise.
1985–1988: Formation and early success
Following the breakup of the Frantic Elevators, Hucknall joined forces with manager Elliot Rashman. By early 1985, they gathered a group of local session musicians. Initially named World Service, then Red and the Dancing Dead, they ultimately chose Simply Red—a name inspired by Hucknall’s nickname and his allegiance to Manchester United, whose home kit is red.
The original lineup of Simply Red featured Mick Hucknall on vocals; David Fryman on guitar; Tony Bowers handling bass; Fritz McIntyre on keyboards and vocals; Tim Kellett playing brass instruments and providing backing vocals; and Chris Joyce on drums. Bowers and Joyce previously played in post-punk groups such as the Durutti Column and the Mothmen; Kellett also had connections to the Durutti Column.
In 1985, Simply Red secured a contract with Elektra Records. After recording a single track titled "Red Box," Fryman departed and was succeeded by guitarist Sylvan Richardson.
Their debut single, "Money's Too Tight (to Mention)," a cover version of a Valentine Brothers soul number, gained international recognition—entering the top 20 in both UK and Ireland, reaching top 30 positions in the US, France, and Netherlands, and climbing to number five in Italy. This track was included on their first album, Picture Book, released in 1985.
Later singles from this period charted less successfully. A re-recorded version of "Holding Back the Years" initially failed to break into the UK top 50 but upon re-release in 1986 achieved significant success: number one in Ireland and the US; number two in the UK; number three in the Netherlands; and within the top 20 in Italy.
Their sophomore album, Men and Women (1987), marked a transition from introspective songwriting toward blue-eyed soul infused with funk elements. The band adopted a sophisticated image featuring bowler hats and vibrant suits. Veteran Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier collaborated with Hucknall on two tracks; their joint credits appeared as 'Hucknall/Dozier/Hucknall' as an homage to Holland–Dozier–Holland.
The lead single from this album, "The Right Thing," achieved top 40 rankings across Europe and North America. Subsequent singles experienced moderate chart performance both domestically and internationally.
1989–1995: Height of Success
Following the release of Men and Women, guitarist Richardson departed and Brazilian musician Heitor Pereira (Heitor TP) stepped in as his replacement. Saxophonist Ian Kirkham, who had joined during the 1986 Picture Book tour and contributed to Men and Women, was officially integrated into the band lineup.
With their third studio album, A New Flame (1989), Simply Red transitioned towards a more accessible, mainstream style aimed at broader commercial appeal. This shift was highlighted by their rendition of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' classic from the Philadelphia soul genre, "If You Don't Know Me by Now", which became their second chart-topping single in the United States and achieved significant global success.
By this period, Hucknall had gained international celebrity status, frequently appearing alongside models and famous personalities, which affected the group's internal dynamics. In 1991, he described Simply Red as "essentially a solo project." The rhythm section members Bowers and Joyce exited the band, making way for bassist Shaun Ward (formerly of Floy Joy and Everyday People) and drummer Gota Yashiki (Gota).
The band's pinnacle came with the 1991 release of Stars, which remained Europe's and the UK's top-selling album for two consecutive years. It generated five singles reaching the UK top 40, including "Something Got Me Started" and "Stars", both achieving international chart success. After completing the tour, Tim Kellett departed to establish the dance group Olive.
In 1995, Simply Red introduced "Fairground", a track influenced by dance music that sampled Zki & Dobri's Goodmen project. This single became their first to reach number one in the UK charts. The accompanying album, Life, sold over one million copies domestically, ranking as the fourth highest-selling album that year. The lineup at this time included Hucknall, McIntyre, Pereira, Kirkham, and backing vocalist Dee Johnson; additional contributions came from guest musicians such as Sly & Robbie on drums and bass. Live performances featured Steve Lewinson on bass, Velroy Bailey on drums, and backing vocalist Sarah Brown.
1996–2000
Following the release of Life, original members McIntyre and Pereira left the group. From 1996 onward, Simply Red essentially became Hucknall accompanied by various session musicians, although saxophonist Ian Kirkham remained a consistent presence. Drummer Gota Yashiki—who co-produced several tracks—and backing vocalists Dee Johnson and Sarah Brown frequently collaborated with the band, alongside keyboardist and co-producer Andy Wright.
In 1996, East West Records issued the compilation album Greatest Hits, which included one new song: a cover of Aretha Franklin's "Angel". This track was co-produced with the Fugees, who also provided backing vocals. The single reached number four on the UK charts.
The 1998 album Blue, characterized by numerous cover songs, produced four singles that entered the UK top 40, including top ten hits "Say You Love Me" and "The Air That I Breathe". However, the subsequent album Love and the Russian Winter (1999) experienced limited commercial success with only minor charting singles.
In April 2000, East West Records dropped Simply Red from their roster. Subsequently, Hucknall launched Simplyred.com to independently distribute new material; this approach proved fruitful as releases achieved chart positions comparable to previous works.
2003–2010: Revival and Subsequent Disbandment
Between 2003 and their disbandment in 2010, Simply Red’s primary lineup consisted of Mick Hucknall (lead vocals), Ian Kirkham (saxophone/EWI/keyboards), Dave Clayton (keyboards), Kenji Suzuki (guitar), Kevin Robinson (trumpet/flugelhorn/percussion), Steve Lewinson (bass), and Pete Lewinson (drums). This core group performed live shows and recorded albums, often supported by additional session musicians. From 2003 through 2008, contributions to recordings and tours were also made by Dee Johnson, Sarah Brown, John Johnson, and Chris De Margary.
On 24 March 2003, the band released Home, an album combining original compositions with cover songs, including the UK Top 10 single "You Make Me Feel Brand New". The album earned Double Platinum certification in the UK, Gold status in Canada, and Platinum recognition throughout Europe. Other singles from the album were "Sunrise" (which reached No. 7 in the UK) and "Fake" (peaking at No. 21 in the UK).
The follow-up album, Simplified, was released on 13 October 2005 and featured pared-down arrangements of their classic hits. Its lead single "Perfect Love" attained No. 30 on the UK charts, marking the band’s final entry into the UK Top 30.
Their tenth studio release, Stay, arrived on 12 March 2007 and was promoted as their last studio album. The lead single "So Not Over You" climbed to No. 34 in the UK, while the subsequent track "Stay" reached No. 36, representing the band’s final appearance within the UK Top 100.
On 19 May 2008, Mick Hucknall unveiled his solo project Tribute to Bobby, collaborating with musicians closely linked to Simply Red.
Following a farewell tour that extended from early 2009 into 2010, Hucknall declared that he would retire the Simply Red name after a quarter-century of activity.
The group’s last performance before their reunion in 2015 took place at London’s O2 Arena on 19 December 2010 and was simultaneously broadcast live to cinemas throughout the United Kingdom.
2014–2015: Reunion, Big Love Release and 30th Anniversary Tour
On 3 November 2014, Simply Red announced their reunion to celebrate their 30th anniversary with a European tour titled the Big Love Tour. The tour commenced on 20 October 2015 in Odense, Denmark, and concluded on 26 August 2016 at the Summerdays Festival in Arbon, Switzerland. The final show took place on 10 September 2016 during the BMW Festival Night in Munich, Germany. The touring lineup remained largely consistent with previous formations except for Roman Roth stepping in for Pete Lewinson on drums.
On 19 April 2015, Simply Red revealed plans for a new studio album entitled Big Love, consisting of twelve fresh tracks. This album was officially released on 29 May 2015.
2016–2018: 25 Years of Stars Tour and Symphonica In Rosso
Simply Red kicked off the 25 Years of Stars Live Tour on 11 November 2016 in Dublin, Ireland, commemorating the 1991 release of the Stars album by performing it in its entirety. The latter portion of each concert showcased a selection of well-known hits and fan favorites. This tour also featured a UK segment with ten shows, running from 13 November in Liverpool through to 27 November at London's O2 Arena.
In October 2017, Simply Red took center stage as headliners for Symphonica In Rosso on the 25th, 26th, and 28th. Their live recording from these performances, titled Symphonica in Rosso – Live at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, was released on 23 November 2018 and reached number 58 on the UK Albums Chart.
2019–2023: Blue Eyed Soul
The band's twelfth studio effort, Blue Eyed Soul, was unveiled on 8 November 2019. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number six, moving close to 10,000 units during its debut week.
Scheduled concerts for 2021 were deferred to 2022 and 2023 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 22 October 2022, Simply Red introduced their inaugural remix compilation, Simply Red Remixed Vol. 1 (1985–2000).
2023: Time
On 2 March 2023, Simply Red revealed plans for their thirteenth studio album, Time, with a release date set for 26 May 2023. The initial track made public was "Earth in a Lonely Space," which had been issued as a single earlier on 18 May 2021. Alongside the album announcement, the lead single "Better with You" was released on the same day.
Keyboardist Dave Clayton, who had been with the band for many years, contributed recordings for Time and appeared during their final shows in 2022 before departing at year’s end to focus on family commitments. Prior to the album's launch, Simply Red released two further singles: "Shades 22" on 31 March and "Just Like You" on 27 April 2023.
The group hosted an exclusive album launch event on 5 June 2023 at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, marking their sole UK performance that year. During this occasion, Mick Hucknall introduced fans to new keyboardist Gary Sanctuary.
2025: 40th Anniversary Tour and concert film
In celebration of four decades together, Simply Red embarked on a 40th Anniversary World Tour in 2025, which included several dates across the UK. Mick Hucknall made an unexpected appearance at Glastonbury Festival that same year.
The concert film Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, capturing footage from five shows at Santiago’s Movistar Arena, premiered internationally on 15 May 2025.
Awards and nominations
ARPA Music Awards
|- | 1996 | "Fairground" | Most Performed Foreign Work |
ASCAP Pop Music Awards
!Ref.
|-
| 1987
| rowspan=2|"Holding Back the Years"
| Most Performed Song
|
| Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no name must have content
|-
| 1988
|
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Brit Awards
|- | 1985 | Picture Book | Best British Album | |- | rowspan="2" | 1987 | "Holding Back the Years" | Best British Single | |- | rowspan="2" | Simply Red | rowspan="2" | Best British Group | |- | rowspan="3" | 1990 | |- | "If You Don't Know Me by Now" | Best British Single | |- | A New Flame | rowspan="2" | Best British Album | |- | rowspan="3" | 1992 | Stars | |- | "Stars" | Best British Video | |- | rowspan="2" | Simply Red | rowspan="2" | Best British Group | |- | rowspan="3" | 1993 | |- | Mick Hucknall | Best British Male | |- | "For Your Babies" | Best British Video | |- | 1997 | Mick Hucknall | Best British Male |
ECHO Awards
|- | 1999 | rowspan="2" | Simply Red | Best International Group | |-
| 2004 | |
Goldene Europa
|-
| 2000 | Simply Red | Group of the Year |
Grammy Awards
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1987 | Simply Red | Best New Artist | |- | "Holding Back the Years" | rowspan="2" | Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | |- | 1990 | "If You Don't Know Me by Now" | " " | " "
Hungarian Music Awards
|-
| 1996 | Life | Best Foreign Album |
Ivor Novello Awards
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1992 | Mick Hucknall | Songwriter of the Year | |- | "Stars" | Best Song Musically & Lyrically | |- | 1996 | "Fairground" | Best Selling Song | |- | 2002 | Simply Red | Outstanding Song Collection |
Lunas del Auditorio
|-
| 2004-2010 (three nominations) | Themselves | Best Foreign Pop Artist |
MTV Video Music Awards
|-
| 1986 | "Holding Back the Years" | Best New Artist |
Mercury Prize
|-
| 1992 | Stars | Album of the Year |
Music & Media Year-End Awards
!Ref. |-
| 1989
| Simply Red
| Group of the Year
|
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Pollstar Concert Industry Awards
|-
| 1987-1988 (various nominations) | Simply Red and Tours | Small Hall Tour of the Year; Next Major Arena Headliner |
Current members
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:CSS image crop | Mick Hucknall |
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