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jim kerr
singer | lyricist | catalyst | enigma
birthday: 9th July 1959
associated with simple minds: 1977-


Jim Kerr "Jim Kerr is the one you see on the cover of music papers and fanzines all the time. As singer, lyricist and fulcrum of Simple Minds, Jim carries a lot of weight on his slender shoulders. It's not a burden though, more of a mission - which isn't to imply huge solemnity or impenetrable self-obsession. Ever hear the one about him pissing on a passing shark in an aquarium in Australia?"

"Of course, Jim (or 'Kid Baudelaire') has to assume a serious air from time to time, not an easy task when faced with the obscene wisecracks of Dan Forbes, the outrageous behaviour of his manager and the infuriating non-sequiturs of a tired and emotional Charlie 'Piranha' Burchill. No, at times like these a young visionary must assuming a fitting air of gravity, and Jim is helped incalculably in this task by the immense wisdom of his guru and road manager Leonard Love. But more of that another time."

"Kerr has always had a fierce pride in Simple Minds and an incandescent belief in the band's potential for scaling the highest peaks. Having suffered pangs of self-doubt early in the group's career because he was the only member who didn't play an instrument, Jim has steadily grown into the role of spokesman and catalyst."

"He's a complex character, sometimes withdrawn, occassionally tetchy, often wired up with a kinetic sense of the absurd. He possesses iron determination, an intimidating objectivity and an intuitive intelligence which can be either telepathically accurate or hopelessly wrong."

"As Simple Minds grow from strength to strength, what's most striking is how Kerr's lyrics have first prophesied and then documented the band's expanding scope and multiplying possibilities. His imagery of travel and quest, the thrill of discovery and the urgency of unfailing effort, have been dismissed as pretentious and insipid. In truth, he meant every word and he won't stop until he's proved it."

"Does this make him a poet or a prophet? He'd tell you no, but maybe he's not the best judge."

Adam Sweeting
New Gold Tour Programme





discography: mainstream singles
Saints And Sinners Life In A Day Chelesea Girl Changeling I Travel Celebrate The American Love Song Sweat In Bullet Promised You A Miracle Glittering Prize Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) Waterfront Speed Your Love To Me Up On The Catwalk Don't You (Forget About Me) Alive And Kicking Sanctify Yourself All The Things She Said Ghostdancing Promised You A Miracle Live single Ballad Of The Streets EP This Is Your Land Kick It In The Amsterdam EP Let There Be Love See The Lights Stand By Love Real Life Love Song/Alive And Kicking single She's A River Hypnotised Glitterball War Babies Dancing Barefoot Cry Spaceface Home Stranger Rockets Stars Will Lead The Way Broken Glass Park Blood Diamonds Live EP Honest Town Let The Day Begin Midnight Walking Don't You (Forget About Me) 2015 (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)




discography: mainstream albums
Life In A Day Real To Real Cacophony Empires And Dance Sons And Fascination Sisters Feeling Call New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Sparkle In The Rain Once Upon A Time Live In The City Of Light Street Fighting Years Real Life Good News From The Next World Neapolis Our Secrets Are The Same Neon Lights Cry Black And White Graffiti Soul 5x5 Live Big Music Celebrate - Live At The SSE Hydro Limited Edition 2XLP Live Big Music Tour 2015 Walk Between Worlds




discography: lostboy! aka singles
Shadowland She Fell In Love With Silence




discography: lostboy! aka albums
Lostboy!




videography: mainstream videos and dvds
Verona Celebrate: Live At The SSE Hydro Glasgow




family tree
Biba-Rom!
Johnny And The Self Abusers
Simple Minds #1
Simple Minds #2
Simple Minds #3
Simple Minds #4
Simple Minds #5
Simple Minds #6
Simple Minds #7
Simple Minds #8
Simple Minds #9
Simple Minds #10
Simple Minds #11
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Simple Minds #53
Simple Minds #54
Simple Minds #55
Simple Minds #56

Simple Minds ElectroSet #1

LostBoy! AKA #1
LostBoy! AKA #2
LostBoy! AKA #3




live appearances
Johnny And The Self Abusers 1977
Scotland 1978
Life In A Day Tour 1979
Real To Real Cacophony Tour 1979
Empires And Dance Tour 1980
Empires And Dance Tour 1980
Sons And Fascination Tour 1981
Sons And Fascination Tour 1982
New Gold Tour 1982
Tour Du Monde 1983
Barrowlands 1985
Live Aid 1985
Once Upon A Time Tour 1985
Cash For Kids 1987
Brazil 1988
Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute 1988
Artists Against Apartheid Rally 1988
Street Fighting Years Tour 1989
Nelson Mandela Freedom Concert 1990
Germany 1990
Real Life Tour 1991
US Christmas Shows 1994
Good News From The Next World Tour 1995
Festival Tour 1997
Night Of The Proms 1997
Neapolis Tour 1998
Scotland Rocks For Kosovo 1999
Grand Prix Night Of The Proms 2001
The Floating World Tour 2002
Night Of The Proms 2002
Alive And Kicking Tour 2003
Festival Tour 2004
Intimate Tour 2005
Black And White Tour 2006
Australian Tour 2007
Lisbon Lions 2007
Night Of The Proms Spring 2008
46664 Concert Honouring Nelson Mandela At 90 2008
Night Of The Proms Winter 2008
Celebrate 30 Years Live Tour 2008
30 Years Live European Tour 2009
Graffiti Soul Tour 2009
Australian Tour 2010
Festival Show Tour 2010
Final Shows 2010
Night Of The Proms 2011
Greatest Hits Forest Tour 2011
Australia 2011
5X5 2012
Festival Shows 2012
Australia 2012
A Concert In The Gardens 2012
Electroset 2013
Greatest Hits + 2013
Summer Tour 2013
Americas 2013
South Africa / Europe 2013
Electroset Germany 2013
Stonehaven Hogmanay Festival 2013
Greatest Hits + European Tour 2014
Greatest Hits + Summer Tour 2014
Big Music Tour 2015
Big Music Summer Tour 2015
Big Music Winter Tour 2015
Big Music Western Asia 2016
Night Of The Proms 2016
Travelling Light 2016
Night Of The Proms 2016
Australia - New Zealand 2017
Acoustic Live 2017
Walk Between Worlds 2018
Walk Between Worlds Summer Tour 2018
Walk Between Worlds Grandslam Tour 2018
Walk Between Worlds North And South American Tour 2018
Walk Between Worlds Australian Tour 2018
40 Years Of Hits Tour 2020

Lostboy! AKA Promo Tour 2010
Lostboy AKA! Electroset Radio Tour 2010
Lostboy AKA! Electroset Tour 2010




website
www.simpleminds.com