Mick mac neil was, in my opinion, the member of simple minds who found the "riff and hooks" that made some tracks lengendary ❤ respect Mr Michael McNeil
Si e c'è nell' Arena di Verona 89 Live Full Show, uno Spettacolo puro dei Newe Way il nuovo modo di vestire e suonare come i cugini Dark, loro in bianco e nero Camice bianche e Gilet nero, moda interessante degli anni 80/91 quando l' 81 successo con New Gold Dream, fino l' 84, l' 85 Jim Kerr disse ricordate quando tutte le radio del Mondo mettevano (Don't Forget About Me)? L' 86 Cali Nelson Mandela in Mandela Day! Liberazione di Mandela dopo 16 anni di prigione per le sue idee Politiche.
L' 87 nasce l' Album nero con l' icona simbolo dei Simple Minds e Carismatici, l' Album ( in The City of Light Live)!! Con New Gold Dream più da professionisti.
My New Gold Dream would be for Mick, Mel, Jim, Charlie & Derek to for one last time get back together again for one album. If it's cr@p well, well nothing lost, nothing gained but if it's feckin amazing then it will leave us all Simple Minds fans COMPLETED for the rest of our lives. Absolutely loved this ❤
Excellent stuff. SM fan from 1980 approx onwards, I did not like SFY that much when it released but since I have gotten older! I have learned to love it. Would love a DF podcast. I still enjoy Jim, Charlie (especially B&W, Graffiti soul and Big Music) and the team but SM in the late 70's - mid 80's were a different class and Mick, Derek were a MASSIVE part of that.
I had become a SM fan in 1988 from hearing Live In The City Of Life, so SFY was my first proper album release of my new favourite band. You cannot understand how massive this album, this whole phase is for me. I also saw the band live for the first time that year, my first rock concert ever. By the next time I saw the band again, in 1990, Mick had already left. It broke my heart. I'm still a fan and I love lots of SM that came after, but those two albums, LITCOL and SFY are carved into my heart and soul. I will never not miss Mick. And hey Mick - visiting the Outer Hebrides for the first time this year and planning a hop over to Barra. I'll be thinking of you. ❤
My exact thoughts and is the period most dear to my heart. Seen them at the nec and it totally blew me away, and the next time I saw them was in 91 and it was great but you knew something was missing. I’d love to see him reunited with them even for one last charade.
We were visiting my wife’s family in Coventry and her younger brother was playing LITCOL. Now for context I was more of a prog-rock and jazz fan. I was struck by their sound. I asked what he was listening to and became a fan instantly.
SFY is a superb album, every single song is outstanding. The fact it was released in 1989 which was a year of change across Europe makes it a significant cultural moment. Jim and Charlie need to get Mick and Mel back and tour the proper band.
I did some work with an actor called John Murtagh for a Rabbie Burns project. On the day we recorded the voice-over, he asked me to call the guy doing the music to arrange the next step. He told me while dialing the number that his friend was in a band called Simple Minds. 20 seconds later, I'm speaking to Mick to my astonishment. I rabbited on about how much of a fan I was and my fav as album was Sons and Facination. The call ended, and John asked, "Did I sort it? I didn't realise that all I spoke about was how much I enjoyed his music without organising anything about the project. Such a lovely man.
This is just fabulous being able to listen to @MickMacNeil. He comes across so happy. I've just finished reading Graeme Thomson's Theme from Great Cities book about the history of SM which I would recommend as it has a good input from Mick.Loved this.
I was a lone roadie for a band called Diversion in about late '76 to early '77. They were a club / pub band & a very good one. The band members were Ricky & Billy McConnachie ( identical twins, Ricky on bass, Billy on guitar) a young Mick MacNeil on keyboards & his brother Donnie MacNeil on drums. They were all fine musicians, but you could tell that Mick had real talent & Donnie who played a double, silver Premier drum kit, was a monster drummer. Obviously a musically talented family. Obviously I know how successful Mick was, but I've often wondered if Donnie continued in the music world, because he was very talented. This was a great experience for me, learning eventually to set all the bands equipment on stage & strip it all down again after the gig. I was a couple of years younger than them, played guitar myself, loved music and was thrilled to be involved with a real band and playing a part by humping the gear and setting it up and loading it away after the show. They were great guys to be around, a great laugh, a lot of carry on, but they were really good at what they did. A short while after the end of Diversion, I heard that a band was formed called Simple Minds ( formerly Johnnie & The Self Abusers) with Mick MacNeil on keyboards, and a guy who lived 2 mins away from me in Castlemilk on bass, called Derek Forbes. I loved hearing that, and delighted with the the level of success they achieved. I doubt very much that Mick would remember me, as it was so long ago, and if I remember correctly I only roadied with them for about a year at most, but it was a great & exciting experience for me at only 17 - 18 yrs of age. Great to hear he sounds like a great guy, none of the great " I AM " you sometimes hear from some people who have achieved the huge success that Simple Minds have. I still wonder what road Donnie went down. I hope it was a great success whatever it was.
Thoroughly enjoyable interview. Mick is so relaxed and forthcoming about the 'engine room' that made that incredible unique and evolving 'Simple Minds' sound during his 12 years with the band. Oh we had some adventures ...amazing times.
@@RobJohnsonpodcast Cheers Rob. You got the best out of Mick. He's a lovely guy and was such a crucial part of the creative process that made Simple Minds such a unique and exciting force, especially in those early days when they were exploring and challenging their own imagination s. Magic times.
Thoroughly enjoyed this podcast. To this day, Michael MacNeil is a keyboard hero of mine. As a teen, I even got my hair styled like his after watching Verona. 😆 The first pop piano bit I learned on my first keyboard was that breakdown in Alive and Kicking. I had a VHS of a Saturday Night Live performance hosted by Madonna. I’d rewind and watch it over and over until I mastered it. I’ve never recognised the band as the proper Simple Minds since he left… And I actually saw them last month perform in Melbourne. Great drummer, wonderful musicians as ever, but Mick’s departure left a gaping creative hole that is evident with every subsequent album. I hope he returns for some more questions. I’d like to ask him so much.
Thank you for this, Rob and Mick. It's always a thrill to learn more about Street Fighting Years. Such a great album. So majestic and inspiring. It couldn't have been more of my kind of thing when it came out. Imagine, then, the shock of picking up Real Life and realizing Mick was gone. I remember spending hours in my college library in Indiana going through microfiche trying to find out what happened and muttering, "This is such bullshit."
Really enjoyed very much this recording, thanks a lot for sharing this. Greatest respect for Mick, a humble legend. Only so sad I never saw him playing live with Simple Minds (with Derek). But once in a while he shows up in clips like this one and never lets you unmoved. Such as in guest appearances with (the fantastic Tribute band) Empires That Dance, the recording for Trevor Horn tribute in the cover Brothers in Arms with Jim and Charlie - Best song on the album, by the way. - John Giblins tribute, his accordions cessions. And so many more. Each time a true pleasure to see him reappear and to conclude "Gosh, what a talent he was and still is"
Great listen, thanks for doing this - I finally understand some of the musical motivations for Mick leaving the band. It was a Roland SBX-80 sync box by the way... :)
I love the internet for things like this......MM was the reason why I wanted to get a Synthesizer and I'm still obsessed with recreating the sounds from the early 80's albums.
His keyboard sounds were the signature sound of Simple Minds until his departure. I still miss him in the band. They never were better after he quit. But I guess he looks with a smile in his face back to these great years. The actually line up is not my Simple Minds anymore. With Derek and Mel that were the best times.
What a fantastic listen, Unfortunately I never got to See Mick, Brian & Derek play with Minds.I love listening to the musicial stories behind some of the fantastic tracks they produced. I used to work at company called AMS Neve in my home town of Burnley and ever wondered if any of the tracks was produced on a Neve desk. Once again a great listen 👍
Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this. My son Michael was born in 1987. Any guesses who I named him after? I saw SM at Meadowbank Stadium on the Street Fighting Years tour. Etched in my memory forever. I’ve been lucky enough to see them almost 20 times over 40 years and across the U.K. Thanks for your huge contribution to the band Mick. Fae a Nitshill boy. 🏴
@@pameladiamond9603 Mr Kerr by any chance? Brilliant! I’ve still got my ticket stub but it’s for Murrayfield. They changed the venue because The Scottish Rugby Union announced a tour of South Africa. Obviously Nelson Mandela was still imprisoned in ‘89. All the best Pamela 🏴
Great interview. I started playing keys because of Mick. Would have loved to hear about his switch to the Hammond Organ which was really the defining sound of Street Fighting Years album and tour. I still think Trevor Horn and Steve Lipson worked with SM too late in their journey. I would have loved to hear what they would have done with Sparkle in the Rain or Once Upon a Time.
Love the interview. I'm a bit younger than Mick, but I grew up in Pollok and Shawlands and I always feel proud that they came from my home town and the housing schemes. Bevvying in the Granary when he was number 1. That's mental. The pub they first performed in, in the 70's, would have been a 100m down the road as well. All of their work up until Real Life really shaped my world and made me really listen to music and take up percussion in particular. I always thought Mick's keyboard work was absolutely sublime and I was gutted when he left. This has been great just listening to him talk about the album. Thankyou Rob.
My mate played in a band called Sneaky Pete, said they played in Doune Castle bar in Shawlands. On Thursday nights , Simple Minds were also on the same gig .
Indeed and John Giblin was a superb replacement for Derek if there had to be one. Great shame he didn't get on with Trevor Horn, he may still have been with them.
It was the mix of them all..clearly! It seems Mick stopped music, while Derek without SM stopped to flourish and never really found his way it seems... A shame they left indeed. But nothing lasts forever..brilliance is a moment too, like youth...Its good to cherish it..great memories.
I was devastated when you left in 1990. SM hollowed out now. I can't go and see them. Lucky enough to meet you backstage at Roundhay 1989. You signed too many of my CD inlays. Lovely man❤
Don't agree about the "hollowed out", every band changes over time and they have still made great music with the changes. I get fed up with people going on about bands not being as good as they were when in the past or after so n so have left (Simple Minds, U2, Suede etc) in the main it isn't true, they have just changed.
If we look at U2, who are still together...they are not the same anymore...their youth and brilliance is in hindsight.. people always think that if the band would be together they would still be brilliant...ofcourse not..its a moment in time, and its the mix of the whole...
I tend to agree. I think however that it is inevitable that a fair chunk of fans from the 80s will hope for the quintet including Mick, Mel and Derek because although Jim and Charlie obviously don't ever tour with duffers, they tour with superb musicians they nevertheless are not musicians who Co composed the absolute classics and to be honest have never been bettered. I would say performance wise Eddie Duffy & John Giblin have equalled Derek live and Andy on keyboards was obviously really adept, ( not sure the ladies on keys were to be honest I'm afraid,) but didn't write the tunes. I do wonder if they all underestimate the appetite for the 5 of them to be seen live at least.
Not just a romanticised desire to see Mick, Derek and Mel (or Brian?) together again with JK and CB but recognition that their departures from SM caused the writing to suffer. I just look at the current line-up and say: this is not Simple Minds. My heart is no longer in it, even though I'm sure the gigs will be a blast. I would struggle to go now due to mobility issues but it just upsets me when I see the line-up. Would love to know why Mel was one minute IN, the next minute OUT.
@@baldybouncers There's an interview on You Tube will Mel and he said there was no bust up and they just naturally parted ways as he wanted to do his solo thing and doesn't rule out not being back if he was asked.
It's now a house and the studio has been turned into a holiday retreat. It's called Dalkenneth House, Lochearnhead. Photos on line if you google it. I live an hours drive away and visited it in 1990. Nobody was there so me and my sister had a snoop around. Still got the photos. On top of the studio there is a wind vane with S M on it obviously for Simple Minds. It's all well hidden now behind trees and bushes. It's a gated driveway now too which wasn't there back in the day just a wee barrier that you could climb under hence how we got in.
@@goldsaj Love that to happen. But just read Derek's biography and it doesn't seem he and Kerr are on good terms. He's suggesting in it that he may do something with Mick
@@Adambutler2 I understand what you are saying.. There always seems to be some animosity between Kerr and Forbes for some reason? But I do not know the details. But I think there is a mutual respect and admiration there. I can see them putting their differences aside and it happening next year? Most SM fans, want it to happen, and the band probably realise this.. There is rumours it has nearly happened a few times over the last 20 years. If it does not, I will settle for the current line up instead. But I will always live in hope, of seeing and hearing the ultimate line up, one last time.
Hi Rob! I'm from Italy and I'm a huge fans of Simple! Can you activate automatic RU-vid subtitles for non-English speakers? please, you should many people happy! thank you in advance! best regards!
They were an amazing powerful celestial band up to Sparkle in The Rain. Fantastic players and great live shows - loved them. Lost interest after that. Mick gave them their wings
Two things - first excellent interview thanks to you both 🙏 Secondly...Rob, what's with this channel? Various random short videos over years then this brilliant nearly an hour interview? Genuinely curious. More coming?
re the time they worked on SFY? I remember Q Magazine's monthly album update column sometime in the Spring of 1988, said about the still to come album "....while Simple Minds are still recording and mixing their drums....", (paraphrasing!) most likely a sarcy nod to the crazy time they had spent making the album to date. The 2024 duo probably need some stage/studio musicians and collaborators to push them more and embrace their current music more than they do. The 2024 line up is like the 1995 one, hired musicians set up to play mostly standard studio takes and little improvisation, whereas the 2002-2013 band members at least seemed to have some input hence all the 79-81 material they played for the first time ever that era ending with 5XLive. That's what's missing now, an overfamiliarity, a samieness, too much focus on the overplayed 1982-1985 material and little else sans Belfast Child, plus a couple of the 1991 mid Top 20 singles. If they could just find the balance of old and new they had around 2002 and 2003 again.
I hope you're not seriously suggesting that Real Life, Good News from the Next World, Neapolis and Grafitti Soul are up there with Sons and Fascination, New Gold Dream and Once Upon A Time? Too much responsibility was on CB's shoulders after Mick went. I love CB to bits but the writing just wasn't there. Serious errors of judgement were made after 1990. The worst of which was Neon Lights.
I was a bit disappointed when I purchased REAL LIFE and Mick was not present. It’s a good album but Mick’s presence was clearly missing in the sound. I wish Mick would return to Simole Minds. For me it would be as deeply satisfying as Mel Collins’ return to King Crimson in 2013 after 41 years.
When Derek got the boot it was jarring but when Mick left it was the death of the band. SM never recovered - Real Life is woeful turgid mess. They've never written a concise album since.
Oh dear. His accent is not so strong that anyone who has watched Billy Connolly wouldn't understand. Surprised you had difficulty understand. Maybe you're just trying to have a laugh...aye right !?
It's such a shame that the Simpleminds melody maker is no part of the band. Without him, the music of the Minds has been irrelevant for 30 years. The spices in the songwriting came from Master Mick🫶
@@ALPQZM654 He wanted to be away from the world of a top recording and touring band. He has released some of his own instrumental tunes over the years which are better than anything Jim and Charlie have come up with over the last 33 years.
There's no doubt Mick is very talented, but he hasn't done anything of real significance either. One solo release that's scarce as hen's teeth. Re-hashing old SM's material is hardly anything to brag about.
Con la formazione unica: Basso: Malcom Foster, Violino Liza Germano, la Corista di colore brava, Mel Gainor batterista, percussionista e Mick Mackneil con ovviamente Charlie BurChill 🎸, e 🎤 Jim Kerr! Un Full Show 89 Arena di Verona ci rendiamo conto che era l' unica Formazione Simple Minds con Mandela Day, Belfast Child, Ghost Dancing, Sancty Fire your Self!
