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United Kingdom Simply Red, led by Mick Hucknall, became a globally recognized pop and soul band, achieving multiple chart-topping albums and singles, demonstrating enduring success in the music industry.
Simply Red is represented by CAA, indicating their professional management for touring, brand partnerships, and private events.
Simply Red has collaborated with various fashion brands, charities, and beauty products, showcasing their commitment to giving back to their communities.
Simply Red is an English pop and soul band formed in Manchester in 1985, originating from lead singer Mick Hucknall’s previous punk group, The Frantic Elevators. After the Frantic Elevators disbanded in 1984, Mick Hucknall, alongside manager Elliot Rashman, assembled a new band. They initially considered names like World Service and Red and the Dancing Dead, eventually settling on Simply Red, a name chosen after Hucknall’s nickname due to his red hair and his allegiance to Manchester United. The initial lineup included Mick Hucknall (vocals), David Fryman (guitar), Tony Bowers (bass), Fritz McIntyre (keyboards and vocals), Tim Kellett (brass and live backing vocals), and Chris Joyce (drums).
Simply Red signed with Elektra Records in 1985. Their debut single, a cover of The Valentine Brothers’ “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention),” achieved international success, reaching the UK and Irish Top 20. This was followed by their debut album, “Picture Book,” also released in 1985. A re-recorded version of “Holding Back the Years,” originally by The Frantic Elevators, became a major hit in 1986, peaking at number 1 in Ireland and the United States, and number 2 in the UK. Their second album, “Men and Women” (1987), showcased a blue-eyed soul sound with funk influences, featuring collaborations with Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier, and its lead single “The Right Thing” was another international success. The band’s career reached its peak with the 1989 album “A New Flame” and their cover of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes’ “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” which became their second U.S. number 1 hit.
The album “Stars” (1991) became a best-selling album in Europe and the UK for two consecutive years, earning a gold certification in the US. It produced five top 40 singles in the UK, including “Something Got Me Started” and “Stars.” In 1995, “Fairground” became their first and only UK number 1 single, from the album “Life,” which sold over a million copies in the UK. Simply Red won the Brit Award for Best British Group in both 1992 and 1993, and Mick Hucknall received the Best British Male award in 1993. The band disbanded in 2010 after a farewell tour but re-formed in 2015 for their 30th-anniversary tour and released the album “Big Love.” They have sold over 50 million albums worldwide.
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