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press releases | once upon a time | once upon a time canadian lp






Once Upon A Time Canadian LP




SIMPLE MINDS

In early 1981 Virgin Records signed what they felt was the most promising band in all of the U.K. The band was SIMPLE MINDS. Previous to signing with Virgin, SIMPLE MINDS had built about as big a loyal cult following as is possible, on the strength of their first three albums for independent Scottish label, Zoom. Those three albums Life In A Day, Real To Real Cacophony, and Empires And Dance, (all available now through Virgin) even though very different from each other, helped to lay the groundwork for establishing an identity that is still winning fans throughout the world.

Their first album for Virgin came in late 1981, Sons And Fascination and its sister EP Sister Feelings Call, along with the singles The American, Love Song and Sweat In Bullet all charted and showed the band to be on of the top live attractions in Europe and the U.K. In Canada, the first taste of success came with the single, Love Song, whcih was an airplay item and garnered Top 30 success.

In the fall of 1982, SIMPLE MINDS delivered what is probably one of the best albums if the 80's worldwide and one that still receives great critical acclaim, New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84). Its three singles Promised You A Miracle, Glittering Prize and Someone Somewhere (In Summertime) were huge sucecsses worldwide and brought SIMPLE MINDS to Canada for their first two sold out tours.

The band's last album, Sparkle In The Rain entered the British charts at No. 1 when it was released in February '84. The album and its three singles, Waterfront, Speed Your Love To Me and Up On The Catwalk, remained in charts aroudn the world for over seven months, and was certified 'gold' in Canada in June 1984. During the month of certification for Sparkle In The Rain, its predecessor, New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84), also surpassed the 'gold' status in Canada.

In March '85, Virgin released Don't You (Forget About Me). The theme from the motion picture THE BREAKFAST CLUB and lead single from the soundtrack of the same name. SIMPLE MINDS did not look back. Don't You (Forget About Me) skyrocketed to No. 1 in both the U.S. and Canada where it remained for two and three weeks respectively. Don't You (Forget About Me) became SIMPLE MINDS first North Amercian No. 1 and first ever platinum single when it eclipsed the 100,000 mark in Canada in July '85.

SIMPLE MINDS are back... (alive and kicking). Alive And Kicking, the debut single from SIMPLE MINDS forthcoming album is released in Canada and the U.S. on Oct. 2nd. The album entitled, Once Upon A Time, is the result of a production collaboration between Jimmy Iovine (TOM PETTY,SPRINGSTEEN - DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN, JOHN LENNON) and Bob Clearmountain (SPRINGSTEEN - BORN IN THE USA, BRYAN ADAMS - RECKLESS, HALL & OATES - BIG BAM BOOM), with mixing credits being attributed solely to Clearmountain.

Once Upon A Time is set for North American release on Oct. 21, 1985.

Don't miss SIMPLE MINDS' "Alive & Kicking" November 7 - Montreal
November 8 - Toronto
November 19 - Vancouver



DISCOGRAPHY

Title Configuration Catalogue Release Date
Sons And Fascination LP
MC
VL2224
VL42224
Oct. 2, 1981
Sister Feelings Call EP VEP311 Apr. 29, 1985
New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) LP
MC
CD
VL2247
VL42247
CDV2230
Sept. 29, 1982
 
Feb. 23, 1984
Life In A Day LP
MC
VM2243
VM42243
Oct. 20, 1982
Empires And Dance LP VL2245 Oct. 27, 1982
Real To Real Cacophony LP VL2244 Oct. 28, 1982
Someone Somewhere In Summertime 12"sp VSX1155 Jan. 7, 1983
Waterfront 12"sp VSX1174 Dec. 1, 1983
Sparkle In The Rain LP
MC
CD
VL2274
VL42274
CDV2300
Feb. 9, 1984
 
Mar. 29, 1984
Speed Your Love To Me 12"sp VSX1188 Mar. 2, 1984
Up On The Catwalk 12"sp VSX1202 May. 31, 1984
Don't You (Forget About Me) 7"
12"
VS1250
VSX1250
Mar. 8, 1985
Alive And Kicking 7"
12"sp
VS1287
VSX1287
Oct. 2, 1985



VIDEOS AVAILABLE

Love Song
Sweat In Bullet
Promised You A Miracle
Glittering Prize
Waterfront
Speed Your Love To Me
Up On The Catwalk
Don't You (Forget About Me)