Jim Kerr
| Jim Kerr | |
|---|---|
 Kerr performing with Simple Minds in Buesum (2009). | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | James Kerr |
| Born | 9 July 1959 |
| Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | Rock, folk, punk rock, post-punk, new wave, pop rock, alternative rock |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals, Keyboards |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Associated acts | Simple Minds |
| Website | SimpleMinds.com |
James "Jim" Kerr (born 9 July 1959) is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Simple Minds who achieved five UK No. 1 albums and a No. 1 single "Ballad of the Streets EP".[1] He released his first solo album, Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr, on 27 May 2010.
Early life and Simple Minds work
Born in Toryglen, Glasgow, Kerr attended Holyrood R.C. Secondary School there. In 1977, he was one of the founding 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 Pop band Hue and Cry. The band lasted 8 months, during which time Kerr emerged as one of the main songwriters. In November 1977 they changed their name to Simple Minds, quickly reduced to 4 members, then increased to 5, then 6, then back to 5 before a period of stability ensued.[2]
He continues to record and tour with Simple Minds, who released their latest album Graffiti Soul in May 2009. He currently lives in Taormina, Sicily, where he runs a hotel, Villa Angela.[3]
Three UK club dates in the spring of 2010 featured both new material and Simple Minds' back catalogue and a full European tour followed.[4]
Solo career
Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr (2010–present)
"Shadowland" was released as the first single from the album. The album version of the song was made available to listen as an audio stream on 13 March 2010. A new remix, more suitable for radio airplay, was done by Cenzo Townshend whom Jim Kerr chose because of Townshends's previous work with Simple Minds' latest album Graffiti Soul.[5] A promotional single with the new radio mixes of the song was shipped to radio stations on 4 April 2010.[6][7]
"Shadowland" was originally meant to be released as a commercial physical release, but it was eventually only released as a download single on 9 May 2010. The three tracks on the download single were the same three tracks previously available on the "Shadowland" radio promo single.[5]
The album version of "Refugee" was premiered on Billy Sloan's show on 7 March 2010. A week later, the full album version of "Refugee" was made available as a download from the initial www.lostboyaka.com website.[8] On 13 April 2010 "Refugee" was released as the lead track of the Welcome Gift 1 free download twin pack which was released as part of the main website launch of www.lostboyaka.com.[9] In addition to the previously released album version of "Refugee", the free download twin pack included the track "What Goes On" (Scary Monsters Mix), which was exclusive to this release. The package also included the artwork and a text file requesting that the tracks not be uploaded to any other site.[9]
"She Fell In Love With Silence" was released as a single on 15 August 2010. The single was released in both digital and physical formats.[10][11]
Jim Kerr released his first solo album Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr on 17 May 2010 under the name "Lostboy! AKA". Explaining the project name and ethos, he commented "I didn’t want to start a new band. I like my band (laughs)...and I didn’t want a point blank Jim Kerr solo album either."[1][12]
The Lostboy! AKA 10-date European tour occurred from 18 to 31 May 2010. In August 2010 Lostboy! AKA embarked on a 12-date "Electroset Radio" tour for various European/UK radio stations but the band played only 4 dates in Germany and Spain. A new Lostboy AKA! 25-date "Electroset" (European) tour (the third one) (featuring Simon Hayward and Sarah Brown) was scheduled from 18 October to 3 December 2010 but the band played only 9 shows till the rest of the tour was cancelled after the performance on 13 November 2010 in Dublin, Ireland because of Jim's mother Irene who had become ill with a recurrence of cancer.[13]
In 2013, Kerr is to release his second solo album, which will be titled and released after Simple Minds' planned 2013 world tour.
Other work
Kerr helped organise a 90th birthday party for Nelson Mandela at Hyde Park, London on 27 June 2008.[citation needed] The event came 20 years after Kerr and Simple Minds played a role (releasing the single Mandela Day amongst other activities) in the 70th birthday concert at Wembley Stadium, which was held to demand Mandela's release. Mandela attended the 2008 event in person.
Personal life
Kerr was married to Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of The Pretenders, in 1984 (divorced, 1990).[14] They had one daughter, Yasmin.[15] He was subsequently married to actress Patsy Kensit in 1992 (divorced 1996) with whom he had a son, James (born September 1993).
Jim Kerr is a Celtic FC fan and active supporter of the club.[16]
Discography
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Official Charts Five number one albums and number one single (retrieved 19 August 2007)
- ↑ "Dream Giver Redux | welcome". Simpleminds.org. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ↑ Villa Angela: a dream come true (retrieved 10 November 2012)
- ↑ "Lostboy! AKA: Simple Minds’ Jim Kerr preps debut solo album, sets U.K. club dates". Slicing Up Eyeballs. Retrieved 21 March 2010.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 dream giver redux | discography | lostboy! aka: downloads | shadowland
- ↑ dream giver redux | discography | lostboy! aka: downloads | shadowland (promo)
- ↑ Lostboy! A.K.A Jim Kerr - Shadowland (Radio Single - For Promotional Use Only
- ↑ dream giver redux | discography | lostboy! aka: downloads | refugee
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 dream giver redux | discography | lostboy! aka jim kerr downloads | welcome gift 1 (refugee)
- ↑ dream giver redux | discography | lostboy! aka jim kerr singles | she fell in love with silence download
- ↑ dream giver redux | discography | lostboy! aka jim kerr singles | she fell in love with silence
- ↑ "pennyblackmusic.co.uk". pennyblackmusic.co.uk. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ↑ "Dream Giver Redux / Tours / Lostboy! AKA Electroset Tour". simpleminds.org. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
- ↑ "Chrissie Hynde Marries Colombian Artist". Lewiston Morning Tribune. 18 July 1997. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ↑ "Homegrown Heroes". Cleveland.com. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ↑ "Keep Celtic alive and kicking: Kerr". BBC News. 25 May 1998.
External links
- Penny Black Music Interview with Jim Kerr, May 2010
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