Simple Minds' Jim Kerr: 'I’m not a good singer - but I am a great Simple Minds singer'

Ahead of their Global 24 Tour next year, Jim Kerr of Simple Minds recalls the early days of the band and stand-out career moments, in conversation with Lorraine Wyle

Simple Minds' Charlie Burchill (left) and Jim Kerr (right). Pic: Paul Cox

REPUTEDLY one of the best bands to come out of the UK, Simple Minds is gearing up for their Global 24 Tour, which, Irish fans will be delighted to know, includes a performance at Dublin’s 3Arena on March 18. Taking time from a busy schedule, frontman and co-founder, Jim Kerr looks back to the days when punk, not only rocked the music industry, but created a cultural revolution that, with the help of a few thousand cigarette coupons, a Spanish guitar, and a £100 donation from his dad, made his teenage dreams come true.

“The arrival of punk rock just blew the doors wide open. I mean it was almost like the inmates had taken over the asylum!” he says, his Scottish burr undiminished by time.