Jane McGowan caught up with Simply Red’s charismatic frontman, Mick Hucknall, as the band prepare for their Sandown Park show.
After 40 years in the business and more than 50 million sold, Simply Red have certainly stood the test of time. Their success can be exclusively attributed to one man: songwriter and lead singer Mick Hucknall.
Manchester-born Mick formed the band in 1984. Its name, deriving of course from his famous, flame-coloured locks. The group’s first single, Money’s Too Tight to Mention, stormed the Top 20, instantly winning them an army of fans. Critics were quick to praise the range, versatility and extraordinary quality of the then 24-year-old's voice.
Hit after hit followed, with songs such as Fairground and Holding Back the Years hitting the top of the UK and the US charts respectively. While there have been a series of line-up changes along the decades, Mick’s soaring vocals and his commitment to his singular brand of pop-soul-jazz (with a little R&B thrown in for good measure) have endured.
Q: It seems like audiences are really ready to embrace live events following lockdown and the disruption caused by Covid - how good does it feel to be back playing in front of large crowds again?
MH: It’s been very special to perform again because all of us have been through so much together. Some of us have lost family and friends, which is a very emotional thing, and I want to be a reassuring figure to the audience that we’re here, we’re still entertaining them with our music. Music is always a way of helping people escape, as well as reflect in the sadder songs on what has happened to them.
Q: Are you now feeling fully recovered from your recent bout of Covid?
MH: Luckily (and with sound medical advice) I have recovered from long Covid. My voice is in good shape too. We’re going to give our everything and put on a joyous and uplifting show for the fans.
Q: With more than 40 years in the industry, do you still enjoy hitting the road?
MH: Well, maybe three years ago I would have said to you there are things I don’t like about being on tour, but actually I’m now saying there’s nothing I don’t like about it! I’m really thankful and happy just to be here and be able to perform on stage and do what I love after everything we’ve been through.
Music is always a way of helping people escape, as well as reflect in the sadder songs on what has happened to them.
Q: What made you want to perform in the first place?
MH: I’ve always loved music and singing. It feels completely natural to me.
Q: Which artists influenced you growing up?
MH: The Beatles were a huge influence. Their music sounded so uplifting to me. I was from a similar part of the world and I found them very inspirational too - they showed me that I could make something of myself. I listened to lots of jazz growing up as well, and this had an influence on Simply Red’s sound. I remember hearing Miles Davis for the first time as a student and being blown away by his musicianship. I was also influenced by reggae music and set up a label called Blood and Fire in 1993 to try and get this music heard by a wider audience.
Q: What inspires you to write?
MH: Being blessed with the gift of living in this world is the greatest inspiration to create songs.
Q: What's your creative process when writing new music?
MH: I don’t need a big studio to write. Back when I started in 1985, I wrote by singing into a [Sony] Walkman. Now when ideas come to me, I sing and play guitar into my phone.
Q: Your latest album Blue Eyed Soul came out in 2019 and marked your 12th top 10 album in the UK. How does it feel to have such an incredible career and to continue achieving such heights nearly 40 years into the band?
MH: I feel very fortunate to still be doing what I love after so long. Not every artist is that lucky. Particularly now that we can tour again I’m just really happy to be back on stage and performing the music.
Being blessed with the gift of living in this world is the greatest inspiration to create songs.
Q: You have always been so passionate about Manchester (and of course, Man Utd). What is it about the city that has given us so much great music and such a vibrant music scene?
MH: I grew up and lived in Manchester until I was 35 years old. The city has been good to me. I like the fact that both football teams have achieved amazing success which in turn is good for Manchester generally.
Q: If you could play any venue, which would it be?
MH: Sandown Park, obviously.
Q: Will you be heading to the course earlier in the day to watch the racing? Do you ever have a little flutter?
MH: My father was very much into horse racing, and it makes me feel kind of warm inside that whenever I’m at the racecourses I’m thinking about my dad and his enthusiasm. For that reason, I’m very much looking forward to the racecourse shows.
Q: What is your favourite song to play live and which gets the best crowd reaction?
MH: I guess I have to say my favourite song to perform will always be Holding Back the Years. It’s the first song I ever wrote and just such a key song on so many levels. Stars are also always a great one to perform and seem to mean a lot to so many people.
Q: What do you miss most about home, when you are on the road?
MH: Having all your familiar things around you, oh and cooking, I enjoy cooking.
Simply Red headline Sandown Park Racecourse on Thursday, August 4. Visit: thejockeyclublive.co.uk for tickets and further details
