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Founded in: 1977
Simple Minds, hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, burst onto the music scene in 1977. While known for their diverse and evolving sound, they achieved international fame with the iconic 1985 hit "Don't You (Forget About Me)," which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
This anthemic track was only the tip of the iceberg for Simple Minds' commercial success. They delivered a string of hit singles, including "Promised You a Miracle," "Glittering Prize," "Someone Somewhere in Summertime," "Waterfront," "Alive and Kicking," "Sanctify Yourself," "Let There Be Love," "See the Lights," and the UK number one single "Belfast Child."
Their influence is undeniable. They've racked up 24 top 40 singles on the UK Singles Chart and 23 top 40 albums on the UK Albums Chart, including five number one albums: "Sparkle in the Rain," "Once Upon a Time," "Live in the City of Light," "Street Fighting Years," and "Glittering Prize 81/92."
Simple Minds' music has resonated worldwide, selling over 60 million albums. During the 1980s, they were crowned the most commercially successful Scottish band, leaving an indelible mark on the global music scene. Their influence extended beyond the UK, reaching chart success in the United States, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy, and New Zealand.
Despite numerous personnel changes throughout their career, Simple Minds continue to record and tour, demonstrating their enduring power and commitment to their art.
Their contributions to the music industry haven't gone unnoticed. They received the Q Inspiration Award in 2014 for their significant impact. In 2016, they were honored with an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors (BASCA).
Further recognition includes nominations for MTV Video Music Awards for "Don't You (Forget About Me)," a Brit Award nomination for British Group, and an American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group. "Belfast Child" was also nominated for Song of the Year at the Brit Awards in 1990.
The core of Simple Minds has remained consistent throughout their journey. Singer Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill have been steadfast members, leading the band through its various musical transformations and enduring its remarkable success. Simple Minds stands as a testament to the enduring power of great songwriting and performance, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire and resonate with music lovers around the world.
Founded in: 1981
Sonic Youth was a groundbreaking American rock band hailing from New York City, formed in 1981. The core lineup, comprising the iconic Kim Gordon (bass, vocals, guitar), Thurston Moore (guitar, vocals), and Lee Ranaldo (guitar, vocals), remained constant throughout the band's history. Steve Shelley (drums) joined in 1985, solidifying the band's core after a series of short-term drummers. Later additions included Jim O'Rourke (bass, guitar, keyboards) from 1999 to 2005, and Mark Ibold (bass, guitar) from 2006 to 2011.
Emerging from the experimental no-wave art and music scene in New York, Sonic Youth evolved beyond its initial roots to become a prominent force in the American noise rock landscape. Their innovative approach to guitar playing, utilizing unorthodox tunings and unconventional methods like using objects like drumsticks and screwdrivers to alter timbre, earned them critical acclaim for "redefining what rock guitar could do." The band's influence resonated deeply across alternative and indie rock movements, leaving an indelible mark on the musical landscape.
After establishing a loyal underground following and garnering critical praise for their releases on SST Records in the late 1980s, Sonic Youth achieved mainstream success in the 1990s and 2000s. Signing with major label DGC in 1990 and headlining the 1995 Lollapalooza festival cemented their place in the musical zeitgeist. However, following the separation and subsequent divorce of Gordon and Moore in 2011, the band disbanded. Their final live shows took place in Brazil, and the members have since confirmed that the band is definitively over and will not be reuniting.
Early Days: 1977 – 1981
Thurston Moore's move to New York City in early 1977 led to the formation of Room Tone, a band initially comprised of Moore and his roommates. They later rechristened themselves as the Coachmen, marking the first steps in a musical journey that would forever alter the face of rock.