In common with the early punk bands, various members took on stage names-Milarky became "Johnnie Plague", Kerr became "Pripton Weird", McNeill chose "Sid Syphilis" and Burchill chose "Charlie Argue". Kerr and Burchill also doubled on keyboards and violin respectively. With Milarky established as singer, guitarist and saxophonist, the line-up was completed by his friend Allan McNeill as third guitarist. After joining Johnny & The Self-Abusers, they brought in two of their school friends, Brian McGee on drums and Tony Donald on bass (all four had previously played together in the schoolboy band Biba-Rom!). Kerr and Burchill had known each other since the age of eight. At Cairnduff's suggestion, Milarky teamed up with two musicians he had never worked with before – budding singer and lyricist Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill. The band was conceived (initially as an imaginary band) by would-be Glasgow scene-maker Alan Cairnduff, although he left the job of organising the band to his friend John Milarky. The roots of Simple Minds are in the short-lived punk band Johnny & The Self-Abusers, founded on the South Side of Glasgow in early 1977. 1.16 New album and touring (2020–present).1.14 Walk Between Worlds and line-up changes (2017–2019).1.13 Big Music and Live – Big Music Tour (2014–2017).1.7 Good News from the Next World (1994–1999).1.4 Sparkle in the Rain and commercial success (1984–1989).1.3 Move to Virgin and New Gold Dream (1982–1984).1.2 Life in a Day and original line-up (1977–1981).Notable former members include Mick MacNeil (keyboards), Derek Forbes (bass), Brian McGee & Mel Gaynor (drums). The other current band members are Ged Grimes (bass guitar), Cherisse Osei (drums), Sarah Brown (backing vocals), Gordy Goudie (additional guitar & keyboards).
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The nucleus of Simple Minds consists of the two remaining original members, Jim Kerr (vocals) and Charlie Burchill (electric & acoustic guitars, occasional keyboards after 1990, saxophone and violin). "Belfast Child" was nominated for the Song of the Year at the 1990 Brit Awards. Other notable recognitions include nominations for both the MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction and MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" in 1985, nomination for the Brit Award for British Group in 1986 and for the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group in 1987. In 2014, Simple Minds were awarded the Q Inspiration Award for their contribution to the music industry and an Ivor Novello Award in 2016 for Outstanding Song Collection from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors. Despite various personnel changes, they continue to record and tour.
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Simple Minds have also achieved considerable chart success in the United States, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy and New Zealand. They were the most commercially successful Scottish band of the 1980s.
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Simple Minds have achieved five UK Albums chart number one albums, Sparkle in the Rain (1984), Once Upon a Time (1985), Live in the City of Light (1987), Street Fighting Years (1989) and Glittering Prize 81/92 (1992) they have sold more than 60 million albums. Other commercially successful singles include " Glittering Prize" (1982), " Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), " Waterfront" (1983) and " Alive and Kicking" (1985), as well as the UK number one single " Belfast Child" (1989). They have released a string of hit singles, becoming best known internationally for " Don't You (Forget About Me)" (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Simple Minds are a British rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977.