Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email
Answers.com

Jim Kerr

 
Artist: Jim Kerr
Home > Library > Entertainment & Arts > Pop Artists
Jim Kerr

Similar Artists:

Modern English, Echo & the Bunnymen, Nick Rhodes

Influenced By:

Roxy Music, The Velvet Underground, Ultravox, U2, Lou Reed, David Bowie

Worked With:

Brian McGee, Mick MacNeil, Mel Gaynor, Derek Forbes, Charlie Burchill
  • Born: July 09, 1959, Glasgow, Scotland
  • Active: '80s
  • Genres: Rock
  • Instrument: Vocals

Biography

If David Bowie's rich baritone had melded with Bryan Ferry's velvety croon, the result would be virtually identical to Jim Kerr's distinct voice. However, that comparison isn't justified if only Kerr's punk beginnings in the late '70s with Johnny and the Self-Abusers were slipped under a microscope. Back then, Kerr and his raw combo were an energetic yet dull facsimile of the Damned; Kerr's angry, unpolished vocals weren't distinguishable from the raucous screams of numerous spiky-haired youths. However, when Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill formed Simple Minds in 1978 with Tony Donald (bass), Brian McGee (drums), and Mick McNeil (keyboards), Kerr altered his singing style, smoothing its rough edges while retaining a brooding, enigmatic quality. Panned by some critics as being derivative of Bowie and Ferry, Kerr became influential himself, inspiring artists like Icehouse, the Blue Nile, and the Mission. In May 1984, Kerr married Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders; they eventually divorced. In 1985, Simple Minds' "Don't You (Forget About Me)," recorded for The Breakfast Club soundtrack, ignited the American charts, and the band even performed at Live Aid. Kerr also contributed vocals to the Call's Reconciled album. When Simple Minds released the single "See the Lights" in 1991, many radio listeners, anxiously awaiting a new U2 LP, mistook Kerr's voice for Bono's. But while U2 were able to toy with their signature sound to suit contemporary tastes, Simple Minds were dismissed as '80s artifacts. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide
Search unanswered questions...

Enter a question here...
Search: All sources Community Q&A Reference topics

Wikipedia: Jim Kerr
Top
Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
This article is about the Scottish musician. For other persons known as Jim Kerr, see James Kerr.
Jim Kerr

Background information
Birth name James Kerr
Born 9 July 1959 (1959-07-09) (age 50)
Origin Glasgow, Scotland
Genres Rock
Folk
New Wave
Pop
Pop rock
Occupations Singer
Songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1978 - present
Associated acts Simple Minds
Website SimpleMinds.com

James "Jim" Kerr (born in Toryglen, Glasgow on 9 July 1959) is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter, famous for his work with the band Simple Minds. They achieved five UK number one albums and a number one single "Belfast Child".[1]

Biography

Kerr attended Holyrood R.C. Secondary School in Glasgow. In 1977, he was one of the founder members of the 6 piece Punk rock band Johnny And The Self Abusers. Calling himself Pripton Weird, he played keyboards and shared vocals with John Milarky. Allan McNeill was also involved with the band, and went on to be the manager of the successful Pop band Hue and Cry. The band only lasted 8 months, during which time Kerr emerged as one of the main songwriters. In November 1977 they changed their name to Simple Minds, and very quickly reduced to 4 members, then increased to 5, then 6, then back to 5 before a period of stability ensued.[2]

Kerr was married to Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of The Pretenders, in 1984 (divorced, 1990). Together, they had a daughter named Yasmin Paris Kerr (born 1985). He was subsequently married to actress Patsy Kensit in 1992 (divorced 1996) with whom he had a son, James Kerr (born in September 1993). Kerr is worth a reported £50 million.[citation needed]

He continues to record and tour with Simple Minds, who released their latest album Graffiti Soul in May 2009. He currently lives in Taormina in Sicily, where he runs a hotel called Villa Angela. [3]

On 6 May 2008 Kerr announced that he had helped organise a ninetieth birthday party for former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, to be held at Wembley Stadium in London on 27 June.[citation needed] The event comes 20 years after Kerr and Simple Minds played a leading role (releasing the single Mandela Day amongst other activities) in the 70th birthday concert (also at Wembley) which was held to demand Mandela's release. Mandela attended the 2008 event in person.

Jim Kerr is a lifelong Glasgow Celtic fan and active supporter of the club.[4]

References

  1. ^ [1] Five number one albums and number one single (retrieved 19 August 2007)
  2. ^ dream giver redux | welcome
  3. ^ http://www.hotelvillaangela.com/en/description.htm Villa Angela: a dream come true (retrieved 20 February 2008)
  4. ^ BBC News | Football | Keep Celtic alive and kicking: Kerr

External links

v • d • e
Simple Minds

Jim Kerr · Charlie Burchill · Mel Gaynor · Eddie Duffy
Former members
Albums
Live
Compilations
Themes series
discography


Stub icon This article about a Scottish musician is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 
Learn More
Johnny & the Self Abusers (Rock Band, '70s)
Reconciled (1986 Album by The Call)
Once Upon a Time (1985 Album by Simple Minds)

Who has Miranda Kerr dated? Read answer...
How are you look like Miranda Kerr? Read answer...
Where does miranda kerr live? Read answer...

Help us answer these
Jim kerr simple minds his email?
How did The Pretenders Chrissie Hynde and Simple Minds Jim Kerr collaborate in 1984?
Who is Amie Kerr?

Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:

 

Copyrights:

Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Jim Kerr".  Read more