Mick Hucknall
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Michael Hucknall (born 8 June 1960) is a British Manchester born singer and songwriter. He is the lead singer of the British band Simply Red.
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[edit] Music career
Hucknall claims to have been among the people present at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester in June 1976, where the Sex Pistols were playing. His interest in the music scene led to the launch of his career in the late seventies, when he was part of the formation of the band Frantic Elevators.
The Frantic Elevators released four singles, including a version of "Holding Back The Years", which he later recorded with Simply Red.
As lead singer and core member of Simply Red, he has become the identifiable face of the band. His face, including his long curly red hair, was featured prominently on album artwork and in videos.
Hucknall is also one of the founders and financial backers of the successful reggae label Blood and Fire. He also manages the record label simplyred.com.
Hucknall has commented that derogatory references to his red hair are a form of bigotry.[1]
[edit] Politics and philanthropy
Hucknall is active in politics and is a prominent celebrity supporter of the UK Labour Party; he is a close friend of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.[citation needed]
It has been claimed Hucknall's resentment for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is evident in three of Simply Red's songs; "She'll Have To Go" on the Simply Red album A New Flame, Your Mirror and Wonderland on the Stars album.[citation needed]
Following the Asian tsunami in 2004 Hucknall made a public statement of support for the charity.[2]
[edit] Personal life
Hucknall and his partner Gabriella Wesberry had a baby daughter, Romy True Hucknall, in June 2007.[3]
In October 2007, on David Jensen's show on the Gold network, he announced Simply Red would split in 2009.[4]
Along with Johnny Depp, John Malkovich, Craig Noone (silent partner) and Sean Penn, Hucknall part-owns the Parisian restaurant-bar Man Ray.
Mick's nickname is Red Mick
[edit] References
- ^ Richard Jinman, July 5 2003, "Taking the Mick" , Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ SOS Children website
- ^ "Mick Hucknall and Gabriella Westberry Are Having a Baby" Dot Spotter
- ^ BBC News, 24 October 2007, "Pop group Simply Red to split up"
[edit] External links
- Simply Red Official Site
- Guardian article (March 21, 2003)
- Interview with Mick Hucknall (USA, 2003)
- Mick Hucknall at the Internet Movie Database
- Blood & Fire
- Frantic Elevators - Unofficial site
- Simply Red at Glastonbury 1986
- Download David Jensen's interview with Mick Hucknall recorded for Capital Gold UK Radio in March 2007
- Harry Hill Sketch about the "National Index of A Big Face" Featuring Hucknall
