How to name a group? This question arises before the musicians of each novice collective. Sometimes teams change their name several times before they come to the optimal, in their opinion, option. The solution to this problem turned out to be much simpler for the musicians of the Simple Red band.
The team was named after the vocalist's hair color. The group "Simpli Red" (in translation - "just red") was created in 1984.
Ancestor
This band had a predecessor - a team that performed punk rock songs called The Frantic Elevators. It lasted 7 years, breaking up at the peak of its fame after the release of the single Holding Back the Years.
Simple Red
After the dissolution of the punk band, red-headed vocalist Mick Hacknell began to negotiate with manager Elliot Rashman. By the beginning of 1985, it was possible to assemble a group of local session musicians. Its members began to look for a suitable record company.
The group took the name Red in honor of Hucknell's nickname, which appeared due to the color of his hair.
But later the team leader decided that the name would sound much better if you add the word Simply to it.
Other meaning
Mick Hucknell has been a fan of Manchester United Football Club since childhood. The red color of the form of this team was another argument in favor of choosing a name for the group.
Initially, the "Simple Red" included 6 people. Each of the musicians before that participated in some collective playing punk rock.
First contract
Simple Red signed an agreement with Elektra Studios in 1985. The group began to work actively.
After recording the song "Simple Red" under the name Red Box, guitarist Freiman left the team, and Selivan Richardson was found in his place.
Debut single
The recorded song eventually came out in 1985 on the second side of the band's debut album. The title track from this record was Money's too Tight to Mention.
This soul-style song is a cover version of Valentine Brothers' hit. This single was waiting for international success. In Ireland and the UK he was in the top twenty songs. A little later, the disc took its rightful place in the charts of America, France and Denmark.
Little-known work
This was followed by a series of singles that did not become as popular as their predecessor. Among these records there is a disc with a new version of the song Holding Back the Years, which was much more popular with the Frantic Elevators - the predecessor of Simpli Red. This composition has acquired a new sound, perfect for the team’s repertoire. She was released on their third single in 1985.
Initially, the track did not hit the UK charts. However, after a re-release the following year, the song became a big hit, reaching number one in Ireland, second in the United Kingdom and third in the Netherlands. A little later, this track reached the top of the American charts. It was on the disc with the recording of this song that the full name of the group "Simpli Red" first appeared.
The first long-playing record of the team was released in October 1985.
Band style
The first album, Simpli Red, was distinguished by lively, very energetic drums and keyboard parts, which sounded very effective in ballads. A similar approach to arrangements was relatively short-lived. Each new album has also been accompanied by the release of several Simpli Red music videos. In 2008, a collection of the best videos of the team, called Greatest Video Hits, was published.
At the peak of fame
The second album, released in 1987, was accompanied by a change in the image of the team. Hats and multi-colored jackets replaced the "ragged clothes." In the same way, self-criticism and acutely social themes characteristic of the debut album were replaced by romantic soul-style compositions, where the influence of funk was also traced.
The famous composer Lamont Dozier, known for his work at Motown Studios, wrote three songs with Mick Hacknell for the new album.
Pop music
With the release of the third album, the Simpli Red group entered a new creative period, marked by a transition to a softer sound, focused more on commercial success than on the approval of music critics. The band's most popular album was a disc called Stars, which was released in 1991.
In 1996, almost all the original members left the group. Now the musicians were replaced periodically. The team actually turned into a solo project by Mick Hucknell. After the release of several fairly successful albums, the group leader said: “I decided that 25 years is enough. Therefore, I think that the 2009 tour will be the last for Simpli Red. The farewell concert of the team took place at the end of 2010.
Big love
In 2015, the group gathered again for a concert tour dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the band.
After it was recorded a new album called Big Love.
In 2017, Simpli Red went on tour in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Stars album.