Mick Hucknall

Formed in 1985, Simply Red are one of the biggest Brit bands with over 50 million albums sold throughout their time together.

Although the group has seen various line-up changes throughout the years, original member Mick Hucknall has remained the band’s driving force. Simply Red has released 11 studio albums. Their most recent of which is 2015’s Big Love collection.

Some of Simply Red’s classic tracks include 2003’s You Make Me Feel Brand New, 1985’s Holding Back The Years, 1989’s If You Don’t Know Me By Now and 1989’s It’s Only Love.

Biog..

British vocalist Mick Hucknall got his start in punk music -- a far cry from the smooth blend of pop and blue-eyed soul that would later catapult his band, Simply Red, into the international mainstream. 

Born in Manchester, England, in 1960, Hucknall experienced a musical awakening at the age of 16, when a live performance by the Sex Pistols inspired him to start his own punk band. He promptly formed the Frantic Elevators, an amateur group that released several recordings on local labels throughout the late '70s and early '80s. The band split in 1984, but not before recording a promising song entitled "Holding Back the Years." 

Hucknall recorded the song for a second time on Picture Book, the 1985 debut of his new band, Simply Red. The revised single proved to be a worldwide hit, effectively launching Simply Red's long streak of Top 40 hits (many of which, including Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" and Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me by Now," were cover songs). 

Simply Red's lineup changed often, with Hucknall always remaining at the center; arguably, Simply Red became his personal solo project. While the group's audience in America tapered off during the early '90s, Simply Red remained popular at home, issuing the most popular album of 1991 (Stars, which sold more than eight-million copies in two years) and maintaining a constant presence on the U.K. charts well into the 2000s. 

Hucknall issued a genuine solo effort in 2008, covering the songs of bluesman Bobby "Blue" Bland on Tribute to Bobby. The album peaked at 18 in the U.K. and performed well in Europe but in 2009, Hucknall turned his attention to an unexpected collaboration: he wound up replacing Rod Stewart in a reunited Faces. This alliance began at a 2009 charity concert, but the band toured throughout 2010 and 2011, culminating in a performance at their 2012 induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Later that year, Hucknall returned to his solo career, releasing the classic soul covers album American Soul in October, 2012.

Touring..

Selling over 50 million albums Mick Hucknall and Simply Red went back on the road in 2015 with their Big Love Tour and in 2016 take over arenas during November to celebrate 25 years of their fourth studio album Stars.

Released in 1991, it was the UK’s best-selling album during both 1991 and 1992 and includes singles Something Got Me Started, Stars, For Your Babies, Thrill Me and Your Mirror.

Simply Red’s 2016 tour sees the group perform Stars in its entirety in its original running order. For the second part of the tour, fans will be treated to classic Simply Red tracks.

The band’s tour will commence on 23 November at Liverpool Arena. They will continue the tour to Aberdeen, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Nottingham during November.

Simply Red’s 25 Years Of Stars Live tour will come to an end with two concerts in London at both Wembley Arena and The O2 arena. Check out the full tour dates and get your Simply Red tickets below.

The tour follows their summer gigs around the UK, which include dates in the likes of Cardiff, Edinburgh and Lancashire during July and August.

2017

Simply Red will be head­lining the annual Sym­phon­ica in Rosso music event in Hol­land in Octo­ber 2017. Mick will be bringing some of his best-loved songs to be accompanied by a 40-piece symphony orchestra and special guests. The spec­tac­u­lar red set­ting and fam­ously good sound & light­ing that the show employs prom­ise to make this a truly mem­or­able show.