Simple Minds bass guitar legend Derek Forbes on his autobiography, 'A Very Simple Mind: On...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 พ.ย. 2023
- In episode 154 of The XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar meets Simple Minds bass guitar legend Derek Forbes to discuss his new autobiography, A Very Simple Mind: On Tour.
Derek Forbes is known for those iconic spine-rattling bass riffs, which we recognise in most Simple Minds' songs, and he wrote and co-wrote many of the band's earliest classics. Derek is also well known internationally as a songwriter and bassist for Big Country and Propaganda.
He won an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection in 2016 for his songwriting for @Simpleminds1 voted best bass player in the World in 1982, and best bass player from Scotland in 2010.
In this interview, Derek Forbes talks about how he nearly joined the Navy, the early days of Simple Minds, recording with David Bowie and Iggy Pop, getting sacked by Simple Minds and lots more. Listen to episode 154 of The XS Noize Podcast with Derek Forbes - BELOW:
#derekforbes #simpleminds #averysimplemindontour
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Hi! Dereck played on the best six Simple Minds albums: without his bass Simple Minds was no longer the same brillant group. Ciao!
Along with Mick Karn, the greatest bass player of his generation. Kerr, Burchill, McNeil, Forbes, Gaynor - the classic SM line-up and since Derek and Mick left SM’s sound has never been the same
The best bass player of any generation
Getting rid of Derek was the worst mistake SM ever made.
And not taking a break when Mick McNeil requested it after recording 'Street Fighting Years'.
Lost the heart of the band when that happened
It was at exactly the right time.
He can say he was a member on all their great albums. By the time Once Upon A Time came out they were commercial crap 😅
He was a bit of a tart too, from personal experience.
@@jug3435 He admits as much in his book
Derek Forbes' bass lines were monumental. A great loss to the band in terms of what he contributed.
@@frasermalcolm2645 Yet terribly overlooked. His bass lines drove early SM and his contribution has never been really equaled. Its his bass lines that stay in my mind more than anything.
Old school Simple Minds enrichened my life mentally in words wich cannot be catched.
I worked for a claims management company some years back. Derek called in one day and I spoke to him for about half an hour, was such a lovely bloke to talk to
The standard bearer of bass playing for me. I heard Love Song playing in a record store and noted the band then found NGD had just come out. Tried to see them at the Kabuki but was too young and had to listen outside. Got to lose myself in the anticipation for SITR then see them at the Warfield and opening for Pretenders. Tuned into Live Aid and was heartbroken to see Derek missing. He gave the band such a sharp and aggressive edge. Was too young to understand that bands staying intact was a rarity and just had to accept it. As fantastic as John was, just missed Derek's edge and the cool factor he added. Was so proud to be a Simple Minds fan, letting people hear Premonition and asking "Who's that?". Was happy to share my favorite band with anyone I could and no other band sounded like them, Derek, Mick and Charlie made soundscapes and that magic seemed so rare, where 3 musicians made something so special that it endured losing Brian. I'll never forget the few years I spent with Simple Minds as they were, loved everything they did and have done but there's a reason so many think the 5x5 is so important.
I saw the Minds on their first UK tour supporting Magazine at Southampton in the spring of 79 and they were brilliant. Derek's innovative bass lines were a huge part of the Minds sound and when he left the Minds were never the same.
brilliant
Absolute hero so he is, the band isn't nearly the same without him
Legend
what a story ! great interview Simple minds are not simple minds without Derek !
what a shame .... first gig Tiffanys , Sons & Facination tour .. i was 16 and this bass player was mesmerising on stage..best band I ever saw, and i saw them 17 times, but never after Derek was removed from the band.. imagine what music they would have created together, if they had stayed true to being a collective... but greed takes over .. especially with writing credits... how very sad.. for us fans ..
Excellent interview. I was at the concert in Phoenix Park, one of the best shows I've ever attended.
I reckon if you listened to Derek’s Simple Minds bass lines isolated from ‘Real to Reel to Sparkle in the rain’ , when you’re feeling low , you’re mood would be lifted enormously by the sheer brilliance, groove , creativity and hypnotic power of this man’s unique approach. A fantastic bass player that every bassist ( experienced or just starting out) needs to listen to 😎
Childhood dream to meet Derek in Liverpool. Cheers big man. Take care of your self. 😀👍🏻
i met him at Ayr crematorium got chatting to him ,could have listened to him for hours! really down to earth guy.
wow
Really enjoyed this , like many he’s one of the reasons I picked up bass. Legend.
Thank you for this. Derek is a phenomenal musician. I was there that day in Phoenix Park in 1983, the day they played, 'Waterfront' for the first time. They opened their set with it and indeed there is a bootleg, which still have. It was an epic day.
And indeed here is that bootleg... th-cam.com/video/IuKaQNbB_W8/w-d-xo.html
Amazing! Thank you for the broadcast,,, been listening to SM for decades!
Loved the book…..enjoyed life & a 🍺🚬🤫😉
What a guy! After they sacked him they tried to get him back and he said ‘Nah, you’re alright, it doesn’t sound like Simple Minds anymore.’ Legend! But here’s a thought, if he’d come back for SFY, might it have changed Mick’s decision to leave after the tour? We’ll never know
Oh what an absolute genius 👏
Top class man with a lot of humility
Currently reading this...very enlightening and entertaining...takes me back
Great book from Des - very upfront and honest ...
Best bass player ever simple minds fans miss you
I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. Derek you are a fantastic human being. I have ordered your book. Can’t wait to read it. You are some bass player.
The Mind's sacked Derek ? - first time I heard this - I always thought Mick & Derek , the soul of that band never actually left. I saw SM late 70's a few times. I bought my first bass after seeing them age 17 in 1980. Monster player, Monster !!! Manchester Hacienda - Manchester Apollo !!!!!! Read Mick Karn's book couple year's ago, look forward to reading Derek's.
SM must be have been put of their minds to have let Derek go...
Totally ludicrous ! Derek is the Soul of simple minds & one of the most Influential Bassist's in RnR ..an original of the species..pure gold...& Jim sacked him cause his ego was up his arse !...its a great shame...
anything from.. i survived the eighties to.. i simply reacted in the moment..teenager rabbit caught in the headlights lived through the eighties..it holds fond/bittersweet memories
🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation:
00:00 📖 *Autobiography Origins*
- Derek Forbes talks about his autobiography, "A Very Simple Mind: On Tour."
02:05 🖊️ *Writing Process*
- Forbes shares insights into the writing process, initially planning to stop in 1985.
03:56 🎭 *Writing Style and Purpose*
- Forbes expresses his desire for a book that readers could enjoy during long flights, focusing on anecdotes and life on the road.
05:29 😅 *Emotional Rollercoaster*
- Reflecting on the emotional aspect of writing, Forbes shares moments of laughter and catharsis, but also moments of sadness revisiting the past.
06:48 🎸 *Early Musical Influences*
- Forbes discusses his early musical influences, particularly Led Zeppelin, and the impact of seeing them live.
08:50 ⚓ *Almost Joining the Navy*
- An amusing anecdote about Forbes almost joining the Navy but changing his mind when they discouraged him from playing guitar.
11:50 ❄️ *Heroic Snow Rescue*
- Forbes recounts a memorable experience of rescuing people stranded in a snowstorm during a tour in Scotland.
14:01 🎸 *Transition to Bass*
- Forbes shares the story of transitioning from lead guitar to bass after his Gibson Les Paul guitar was stolen.
16:37 🎸 *The Mars Bar Debut*
- Forbes reminisces about his first gig with Simple Minds at the Mars Bar and the song "Act of Love."
19:51 🚫 *Jealous Rivals*
- Magazine's jealousy during a tour with Simple Minds, culminating in them turning off Simple Minds' power on stage.
20:33 🎭 *Two Gigs, One Night*
- Playing two gigs in one evening at the Ulster Hall in Belfast due to high ticket demand.
21:15 ⚽ *Playing "The Sash"*
- The humorous revelation that Simple Minds played "The Sash" due to the demand from GL Rangers fans during their gigs in Scotland.
21:30 🎸 *Simple Minds and Football*
- Simple Minds had connections to both Rangers and Celtic football clubs, but their focus was primarily on music.
- Despite football affiliations, the band's main passion was music, and they didn't let football rivalries affect their unity.
- Anecdotes about playing football with The Pretenders and the challenges of finding suitable football boots.
23:35 🎤 *Recording "Don't You (Forget About Me)"*
- Derek Forbes was initially reluctant to record "Don't You (Forget About Me)," but Jim Kerr suggested he should sing it.
- The decision to record the song was driven by the massive opportunity presented by the film company, and it became a global success.
- Forbes reflects on the band's success with the song even after his departure.
25:10 🎷 *Meeting David Bowie and Iggy Pop*
- Derek Forbes recounts the experience of meeting David Bowie and Iggy Pop at Rockfield Studios.
- Iggy Pop invited Forbes to contribute backing vocals, creating a memorable collaboration.
- The unique atmosphere of working with iconic musicians like Bowie and Iggy Pop.
31:38 📀 *Encounter with Paul McCartney*
- Derek Forbes shares a memorable encounter with Paul McCartney at a studio, including getting autographs for himself and Charlie.
- Paul McCartney's friendly and witty interaction, leaving a lasting impression on Forbes.
- The significance of the autograph in inspiring the title of Derek Forbes' book, "A Very Simple Mind."
33:13 ⚖️ *Departure from Simple Minds*
- Derek Forbes discusses the moment he was informed about being let go from Simple Minds.
- Forbes reflects on the impact of personal relationships affecting his position in the band.
- The emotional response from band members, including tears from Charlie and Mick, during the departure discussion.
40:07 🎨 *Life Beyond Simple Minds: Painting and Reflection*
- Derek Forbes shares his experience of working as a painter decorator during a break from the music industry.
- Reflecting on humorous moments, such as putting up posters with amusing messages for passersby.
- Forbes' perspective on enjoying life beyond the music scene and finding joy in unexpected experiences.
43:38 🎸 *Derek Forbes' Favorite Simple Minds Album*
- Derek Forbes reflects on working with John, Steve Hillage, and others.
46:05 🤣 *Memorable On-Stage Mishaps*
- Derek shares a humorous onstage incident, tripping over cables during a performance.
47:41 🤝 *Reuniting with Simple Minds?*
- Derek expresses interest in reuniting with Simple Minds if Jim, Charlie, Mick, and Brian are involved.
50:15 📽️ *Upcoming Documentary and Musical Moments*
- Derek hints at an upcoming documentary with Jim, Charlie, and himself, reminiscing about creative moments.
51:49 🎸 *Reflection on Band Dynamics*
- Derek reflects on the significance of Brian's role in the early Simple Minds sound.
52:01 📘 *Book Tour Excitement*
- Derek discusses his book tour, shares details about events at Gobo Books and Rough Trade.
54:21 🎶 *Origins of "Waterfront"*
- Derek narrates the creation of "Waterfront," including the melody and collaboration with Jim for lyrics.
55:01 🎤 *Future Projects with Spear of Destiny*
- Derek mentions an upcoming tour with Spear of Destiny and being a special guest with his friend Brandon.
Made with HARPA AI
i seem to recall a story where i think jim and some others did the " claps" om tainted love" tho im not 💯%
27:41 'Thin White Duke' was 1976. The Isolar Tour (Station to Station). This Iggy recording would have been 1979/80.
I think Derek Forbes was rather dominant in the Simple Minds not like bass in background that is why he had to go at some point makes sense. He is kind a like that Kajagoogoo guy Nick Beggs and that Japan guy Mick Karn..the Jaco Pastoriuses of pop music...nuff said./
I hate the current line up. Losing so many band members is a tragedy.
There is only Jim and Charlie left . They are touring but they don’t have the same impact as they did in the 1980s. I feel that they should stop using the band’s name when touring and just use Jim and Charlie’s tribute band .
Mel Mick and Big Dan dream team. Except Jim called the shots. I wouldn't go see SM now. When they fired Mel that was it for me. Mel is irreplaceable.
Stopped listening after sparkle in the rain.
Getting rid Forbes McNeil Gaynor .all money now.. bad sign Derek's floggin camel Jim Kerr Charlie good luck
Sadly lost his way and Jim and Charlie had to get rid of him
Sadly you didnt listen yo the interview !