Simple Minds: Virgin Radio Classic Artists 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Hey Jim. You came to my office in Edinburgh and played me your demo ( which was fabulous) and we talked record deals. I had already released several singles on Zoom records and had recently done a licence deal with Arista records. I introduced them ( Arista) to the band and they expressed an interest, but Arista's biggest artists were Showaddywaddy and Barry Manilow and although Patti Smith Lou Reed and Iggy Pop were on the label ( not selling at that time) they were seen as a 'pop' label. Zoom was too 'small' to pay the kind of advance that you required to go full-time but Charles Levison ( Arista's)MD)and Robert White ( Arista's lawyer) suggested a separate licence deal so that Simple Minds could sign to Zoom. That's what we ( Simple Minds and Zoom) did and although Arista proceeded to 'claim' Simple Minds( that was a marketing faux pas) they were in fact a Zoom act. Brian Hogg ( my friend) saw you play Edinburgh the same day you came to me with your demo, and raved to me the next morning on the phone about how wonderful you were and so I made sure I came to see you at the Mars Bar that Sunday and....the rest is history. Just saying... Enjoyed the documentary btw.

Simple minds and U2 💛💙💛the two biggest band's on the planet 💛💙💛

What an awesome interview. I love Eddy's true passion for the band and the music. Great stuff!

fantastic interview, i like the fact that the interviewer is in between Jim and Charlie. This proves in my eyes that Charlie is not Jim's lapping dog.

So great to see an interviewer who actually knows Simple Minds catalogue, rather than "Let's talk about Don't You Forget About Me and Alive And Kicking"

One would think with the documentary out and all the nostalgia with the band these days that Simple Minds would take advantage and do a reunion tour with Mick, Derick, Mel and Sarah. Let Cherise do percussion (as in the 86/90 band) … bring back Lisa Germano and do a farewell kick ass tour (north America included) and get the biggest payday ever! I’m sure everyone could suck it up for 6-9 months and it would be epic!

Don't we just love the two of 'em? Sounded great then, sounds great now, will be great for eternity!

The interviewer is so good and so genuinely interested. As a scottish person I just want to say Brrrriliant interview.

Charlie’s guitar work is criminally underrated. I need to turn on CC to understand his heavy accent. Love these fellas!

Legends. Great to see them still going strong and making excellent music. Long may it continue.

Just been to see ; The magical, wonderful & total class act ; that is Simpler Minds at Leeds first direct Arena on Friday night ( march 15th 2024) what a magnificent, fantastic evening of pure unadulterated blissful music ! Rocking to one of the very best bands you will ever see live period !!!!!!!

Absolutely love simple Minds, Doesn't matter how much I listen, I never get tired to any of the music. It has a connection to my soul. Making them my biggest inspiration @DarrenBurch

Great interview.And I could listen to them talk all night, too! 🎶❤🎶

Yes always thought you could hear simple minds in U2 ❤❤

1982 I was 19...Best times.

I was waiting for mick McNeil to get a mention. Especially at alive and kicking.

WATERFRONT was the seminal moment for me......... no song has ever moved me like that before or since.

U2 and Minds, my two favoritos bands of my life. Congratulations from Spain

👍great band! Great music!

Brilliant interview