In 1977 Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, along with drummer Brian McGee, formed a punk band named "Johnny & the Self Abusers",

After one unsuccessful single, the bands line-up was quickly reshuffled and their name was changed to Simple Minds. Scotlands biggest ever band ...

In 1978 Derek Forbes joined Simple Minds - initially he stood in as bass player as a favour, for a gig at the infamous Mars Bar in Glasgow.

This was Forbes and McGee�s first ever gig together, and the start of, probably, the most popular and creative period of Simple Minds career.

At the same time Brian McGee�s brother Owen was starting his solo musical career which would ultimately lead to the top of the charts with �My Favourite Waste of Time�.

Forbes and McGee were undoubtedly responsible for defining the unmistakable sound of the early Simple Minds albums and composed blistering rhythm tracks, such as 'Themes For Great Cities', 'Love Song', 'I Travel', 'The American', 'Changeling', 'Chelsea Girl', and formed a formidable partnership for the first 6 Simple Minds albums, 'Life in a Day','Reel to Real Cacophony', 'Empires and Dance', 'Celebration', 'Sons and Fascination' and 'Sister Feelings Call'.

Brian McGee left Simple Minds in 1981, after years of gruelling tours Worldwide, and joined Glasgow band 'End Games'.

Meanwhile, Derek Forbes carried on with Simple Minds through their Golden Phase, recording, writing and touring such albums as 'New Gold Dream 81,82,83,84.' and 'Sparkle in the Rain'.

However, after reaching the ultimate chart spot of number one in America, with the Global hit 'Don't You Forget About Me', Forbes was to leave the band, albeit unwillingly.....

Within 2 months Forbes was back on the music scene as bass player of German band 'Propaganda', and following the departure of Steve Jansen (Japan), from the drum stool, Forbes recruited McGee - they enjoyed another World Tour, and an album '1 2 3 4', which added another 7 great years of their time, performing together ...

Recently voted Scotlands best ever bass player, by readers of Dear Scotland - Derek Forbes has once again formed the partnership he shared with Brian McGee in the 1980's and 90s, and they are about to embark on dates across the UK, and into Europe, playing the songs they wrote and love.

The show is a nostalgic trip back to the seminal days of one of the Worlds greatest bands ... Simple Minds.

DEREK FORBES

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 22nd 1956, Derek Forbes was the original bass player with Simple Minds, and responsible for the unmistakable sound on their first seven albums, along with the bands massive hit "Don't You Forget About Me".

Forbes' athletic walking basslines were the driving force behind Simple Minds' New Wave period albums. This is most evident on Sons and Fascination, although many believe New Gold Dream to be the bands finest work.

Sparkle in the Rain with it's more standard rock sound, supplanted the minimalistic, groove-oriented sound of preceding albums, and Forbes' bass playing took a back seat.

His departure from the band in 1985 was due, apparently, to stylistic musical differences with the rest of the band during the recording of "Don't You Forget about Me" and prior to the release of "Once Upon A Time".

Forbes reunited with the band briefly during the recording, and subsequent tour of the 1998 album "Neapolis".

Derek Forbes started his musical career in the UK Subs. He contributed to the singles "Gimme your heart" and "Party Clothes".

After Simple Minds, Forbes went on to play in number of other bands, including Propaganda, Oblivion Dust and Four Good Men .

BRIAN McGEE

Born in Glasgow, Scotland on March 8th 1959, Brian McGee was the original drummer with Simple Minds.

He met Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill, at Holyrood R.C.Secondary School, and joined them in their band Biba-Rom!

In 1977, they formed the punk band Johnny and the Self Abusers, whose name changed to Simple Minds.

He was present on the albums Life In A Day, Real To Real Cacophony, Empires and Dance, Sons and Fascination & Sister Feelings Call.

In September 1981, he left Simple Minds after having tired of constant touring and life on the Road.

However, Brian soon returned to the road and joined Endgames, replacing Douglas Muirden.

After two albums, the band dissolved in 1985. By that time, he, along with former Simple Minds bandmate Derek Forbes, joined Propaganda, remaining until 1995, and recently Four Good Men.

Brian is now back perfoming all the great songs he helped create alongside Derek and the boys over 3 decades ago.