They were never the same after "New Gold Dream " by the way Derek's book is a fantastic read, wish he was still in the band with the original line up.@apnewens
I was gutted when Derek left in 85 but the final straw for me was when Mick left (and ironically, I hated STYs with a passion). The E&D, S&F/SFC and NGD albums were utter masterpieces. Mick's keyboards on S&F/SFC were especially mesmerising.
Eh not really. I’d say it was when U2 released the Joshua Tree. Even after Forbes left SM was huge with Once Upon A Time. And even since their music is great.
Agreed - just like Clarke, Levin, Squire, Karn, and all the greats from all the genres - Derek Forbes added to how the bass could be played - instantly recognisable style
From the lion's mouth, folks! The real Derek Forbes, the original and best bassist of Simple Minds taking us to school with one of his best bass lines. Awesome! You don't see this with many musicians.
New Gold Dream is such an amazing album and really still holds up. In the top 10 from that era. Derek's bass on that album really made me take notice of the instrument for the first time in my life.
Kicked out of Simple Minds by a lead singer so full of himself he couldn't see what he was depriving the band (and us fans) of. Their sound would never be the same again. Simple Minds... 1978-1985 R.I.P.
I don't know under what circumstances Derek left the band but I really went off them afterwards. Actually I think the rot had already set in so I guess he's better off out of it. Never been a fan of stadium/anthem rock. Personally I think Simple Minds peaked with New Gold Dream, a stupendously good album.
I switched off after once upon a time and now I see the reason why. Forbesy you were and still are a legend. Your baseline in somebody up there likes you is the reason why it still remains my favorite instrumental of all time. Great work mate.
The riff machine,, so many classic bass lines, what a player,, ,, if you ever seen the minds pre fame days in a dark big club they were beyond cool, untouchable,,!!
f**kin brilliant !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm 46.. You got me started playing bass at age 17 Derek... I remember seeing you around 1980 at the Apollo in Manchester. Changed my life Simple Minds. I still sing those early songs in my head today. One of my first bass lines was Premonition. I playing guitar these day's and big into Neil Young. Simple Minds will always be my first love..What a great fu**in band ! God bless you bro.
i was privaliged enough to meet derik in charlotte north carolina in big countrys first concert in the states in 20 years! he is such a great guy and just as good of a bassist and ironically he was the bassist for both me favorite groups, simple minds and also big country. i guess me and my wife spoke to him for 20 minutes or so. the show was nothing less than fantastic and even better than i could have hoped for, i really hope they come back!
I saw Simple Minds numerous times here in Toronto in the early eighties and Derek was so much a part of their sound, one of the greatest bass players ever, IMO the band sucked long and hard after he left.
Back in 1985 I bought a bass I was 16 and I wanted to play Simple Minds songs like this . I never joined or learned to play but now at 52 I've still got my cheap Kramer Bass and will try once again! :)
This is pure joy and takes me back But I saw simple minds live last week and they are still absolutely phenomenal Jed is also good and gets the job done perfectly
Derek, I can't play bass to save my life but it's great to see you here on 'You Tube'. Thanks for all the great memories. Would love to see the original and classic SM's line up together again. At least you were an integral part of 2 of the best albums i've ever heard. Live long and prosper!
Fkn Legend. Derek. Not to copy any other bands work but honestly, THANKYOU for the music. Got me through some REALLY tough times. I have seen SM play at least 10 times but NEVER with you and Mick. WOuld be a dream to se you guys rekindle the magic. PLEASE
Derek, you are THE single biggest influence on my playing. Your work with SM is unrivalled. I wrote to John Lydon when I heard McGeogh was dead. Not sure if he read it, but I beseeched him to reform PiL on the grounds we dont live(r) forever and who is to say a reformation is possible one second from now let alone a year. He did reform albeit not with John and Keith. What I am is saying is get hold of all the original members of SM whilst still alive and tour all the great albums - PLEASE!!!
So well put sir!! All original members of SM are still around and how cool would it be to have them get back together? Love the idea......and we wait for them to do this!!!
Dear Derek Forbes you made my fortune, besides that of Simple Minds. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the years between "Real to Real Cacophony" and "Sparkle in the Rain". Diego in Ivy!
Derek, you are awesome! I am just beginning to appreciate your genius. Thank you for allowing this fan to enjoy years of Simple Minds, which by the way was NEVER the same after you left. I am from the States and I have two young boys who also enjoy some of the songs from Sons and Fascination. Cheers
Was always being pulled up in pubs and clubs in Glasgow, back in the day,by folk who knew Derek and mistakingly thought I was him. Cue, a few months later,at Oxford, and my mate pretending to be Bruce Findlay taking the 'Minds' bass player out for a bit of R&R. Thanx for all those free drinks(and the rest!)Derek. Most of all,thanx for being the main man !
Hey Derek You made me want to play bass. 30 years later I'm still doing it! Can you knock out a version of 'Promised you a miracle' or 'Love Song'? I love the way you smack those strings! Cheers!
Just ordered yer book (Kindle ) looking forward to reading it , but I a bit pished just now so will start to read it on Monday .. Cheers Derek for the memories , seen you guys way back Tiffany's .
Getting a personal comment - even that one - from Derek Forbes is something indeed! Reminds me of an old cartoon, one of those that was made as a comment on daily events. A Danish lead singer had gotten so tired of his annoying female fans that he had started to get real rough. On the cartoon you see a young girl, black and blue all over, but dreamy-eyed, with a ecstatic smile. She says: "I was thrown down the stairs... by HIM!!"
You've made my night Derek. You can stick your Giblins and Fosters. You're the man and inspiration behind me taking up bass mate. Would love to see you belt out Glittering Prize, Love Song and Sons & Fascination.
Love Mr Forbes B lines and simple minds lost a hell of a lot of their sound when he and Mr Macneil departed.. just listen to that bass sound for starters, where else do you hear that? I will say though that I would put money on it that this bass line and I travel in general was influenced heavily by I'm on Fire by 5000 volts and I feel love by Donna Summer.. all this is fine of course as it gave us the magical guitar/electro hybrid that is I Travel, and unique in itself!
Thanks so much for the reply, Derek. You're definitely one of the best bassists of the Post-Punk era. And I love your work with Simple Minds since I feel that you contributed to their best albums from 1979-1985. Peace from New York City!
omg !!! Derek you are the man! Your bass lines got me into Simple Minds, when Giblin joined, I thought the musical style changed and went off them.... someone told me last week that the band were reforming and i almost came in my pants! then found out that you chose not to be there. i totally respect your decision having seen the latest video! TO ME, YOU WERE THE SOUL OF SIMPLE MINDS and I am sure I am not the only one!
Hi Derek, was in your house a few years ago with Pat Neeson who I was the bassist in a few bands with back in the late 90's. Missing the music. Anyhoo, going to see Simple Minds the morra night and found this while searching through some old tunes. You've not lost it buddy. Cracking bassist as ever. Minds are defo not the same without you. Good to see Fourgoodmen carrying on the Propaganda tracks I grew up with. Glenn.
Hi Derek I like your playing... Since 1983... this is what i posted this day to a guy who made a (nearly) perfect performance of your playing: Me, too, I think this is their best album ever..... Derek Forbes and Mel Gaynor, the best duo ever.... Unfortunetly, in 1985 Derek was dismissed, the bass was clinical nooormmmaaaal from now on, but Mel's drums covered that in a very good way. I like Mel Gayner's playing sooo much, BUT it would have been some other career with the band if Derek would have been in the band still. So, I don't know, but Derek Forbes is my all time favourite of Slapping Bass from when I was 20 years old until now when I am 56. My favourite basses are a 1979 Precision Special which I bought in 1983 (with Derek Forbes in my mind to get HIS sound) and a Sterling Stingray which I bought in 2019 and some others I bought in between ... The Precision I bought with only the sound of NewGoldDream in my mind. The sellers told me this and that, there were some beautiful Ibanez instruments around, but some day I came across a simple P-Bass around and that was it ..... The sound of Derek....!!!! I bought it right away in Bochum, Germany. I don't regret it until now :-) Dear Derek, whenever you read this, you can drop me a line ....
Derek - This is fantastic. We are in Canada and we're putting together a band "Sons of Fascination" - we're playin' your basslines, thanks very much. I'll post a video when we are not crap!
Hi Derek, even though I'm not such a great Minds fan, I was always addicted (in the beginning without even knowing it) to your awesome bass playing. Theme for great cities (most irresistible, to me), sweat in bullets, colours and the catherine wheel.... by the way, I was in the audience at O2ABC when you played with XSM last autumn (Nov), being in Glagow by chance, deepest pleasure for me to see you play at such close range - thank you ! And please keep on going forever. CHEERZ, ZAK
lovely Bass that, great playin, crackin line, nice tone and just that tiny wee bit of delay at the pause is absolute 'killer'. . 'nae danger' Sa'aaaann. . 'Magic!!'
Never EVER the same without him...or Mr MacNeil.
Absolutely. I watched them during their April 19th, 1984 gig in Madrid , by the way. Sparkle in the Rain was the last Simple Minds record I bought.
Or indeed Brian McGee.
They were never the same after "New Gold Dream " by the way Derek's book is a fantastic read, wish he was still in the band with the original line up.@apnewens
I was gutted when Derek left in 85 but the final straw for me was when Mick left (and ironically, I hated STYs with a passion). The E&D, S&F/SFC and NGD albums were utter masterpieces. Mick's keyboards on S&F/SFC were especially mesmerising.
The day Derek Forbes left Simple Minds was the day they lost the race with U2
yeah apart of the songs the force of U2 has been to stay togheter
That is Correct !!!
Why would anyone want to be in a race with U2? Too pompous by half.
It was the beginning of the end, yes
Eh not really. I’d say it was when U2 released the Joshua Tree. Even after Forbes left SM was huge with Once Upon A Time. And even since their music is great.
One of the best bass players of all time.
Phenomenal bass player.. Up there with the best of all time.
And dont forget George Murray 😂
No he isn't up there with the best of all time. Not even close.
Agreed - just like Clarke, Levin, Squire, Karn, and all the greats from all the genres - Derek Forbes added to how the bass could be played - instantly recognisable style
From the lion's mouth, folks! The real Derek Forbes, the original and best bassist of Simple Minds taking us to school with one of his best bass lines. Awesome! You don't see this with many musicians.
Excellent Bass player. A Scottish legend. Made Simple Minds a very interesting band.
He made the Simple Minds sound complete, after the split, my opinion, it went way too commercial.
word, the post punk stuff was genius
New Gold Dream is such an amazing album and really still holds up. In the top 10 from that era. Derek's bass on that album really made me take notice of the instrument for the first time in my life.
Kicked out of Simple Minds by a lead singer so full of himself he couldn't see what he was depriving the band (and us fans) of. Their sound would never be the same again.
Simple Minds... 1978-1985 R.I.P.
I don't know under what circumstances Derek left the band but I really went off them afterwards. Actually I think the rot had already set in so I guess he's better off out of it. Never been a fan of stadium/anthem rock. Personally I think Simple Minds peaked with New Gold Dream, a stupendously good album.
Underrated player! He was central to the Simple Minds sound in the early days.
I switched off after once upon a time and now I see the reason why. Forbesy you were and still are a legend. Your baseline in somebody up there likes you is the reason why it still remains my favorite instrumental of all time. Great work mate.
Mr. Forbes - hands doon; one of the greatest musicians there has ever been......even if he was a wee bit pished! Mon big'yin!!
Missing u Derek we all want u and mick back god bless thankyou for the fantastic memories
Derek - I can't believe you are posting this on youtube! Your bass playing is phenomenal, thank you so much and I'm so glad you are still playing!
Dan
Totally in the pocket!!! Genius bassman
The riff machine,, so many classic bass lines, what a player,, ,, if you ever seen the minds pre fame days in a dark big club they were beyond cool, untouchable,,!!
f**kin brilliant !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm 46.. You got me started playing bass at age 17 Derek... I remember seeing you around 1980 at the Apollo in Manchester.
Changed my life Simple Minds.
I still sing those early songs in my head today.
One of my first bass lines was Premonition.
I playing guitar these day's and big into Neil Young. Simple Minds will always be my first love..What a great fu**in band !
God bless you bro.
one of the best bass players ever wish he came back to simple minds.
+Jack Bronham What about each side meeting halfway ?
i was privaliged enough to meet derik in charlotte north carolina in big countrys first concert in the states in 20 years! he is such a great guy and just as good of a bassist and ironically he was the bassist for both me favorite groups, simple minds and also big country. i guess me and my wife spoke to him for 20 minutes or so. the show was nothing less than fantastic and even better than i could have hoped for, i really hope they come back!
May the forbes be with you..;-))
Love this!!!! Derek is one of the greats on bass. Great ideas and just makes magic happen in songs. There is NO replacing him.
Derek Forbes you are a genius, nobody comes close Simple Minds ended for me when you left
the best era of Simple Minds. After Sparkle in the Rain, it went downhill.
I saw Simple Minds numerous times here in Toronto in the early eighties and Derek was so much a part of their sound, one of the greatest bass players ever, IMO the band sucked long and hard after he left.
Back in 1985 I bought a bass I was 16 and I wanted to play Simple Minds songs like this . I never joined or learned to play but now at 52 I've still got my cheap Kramer Bass and will try once again! :)
listening and playback of the old songs of the 80s simple minds can tell you that your sound is unique and inimitable
One of the best bass player's. Simple Minds best
This is pure joy and takes me back
But I saw simple minds live last week and they are still absolutely phenomenal
Jed is also good and gets the job done perfectly
"A bit pished, but there ye go"
Even pished yer a true legend. Thanks for years of great bass lines big man
Derek, I can't play bass to save my life but it's great to see you here on 'You Tube'. Thanks for all the great memories. Would love to see the original and classic SM's line up together again. At least you were an integral part of 2 of the best albums i've ever heard. Live long and prosper!
Without doubt the best bass player I have ever seen. Thanks for the brilliant early SM baselines.
Fkn Legend. Derek. Not to copy any other bands work but honestly, THANKYOU for the music. Got me through some REALLY tough times. I have seen SM play at least 10 times but NEVER with you and Mick. WOuld be a dream to se you guys rekindle the magic. PLEASE
Brilliant makes what sounds like a complex bassline look so easy.
How many other guys would do that - Mr Forbes - we are not worthy!
Fantastic job with Big Country on Sunday night in Belfast......brilliant show.
one of the most killer bass lines ever!!
This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen in response to a fan video!
Derek and JJ Burnell from The Stranglers...2 of the best bassists ever
Thats a great sound ....
Thanks so much Derek!!! I like your work with the simple minds so very much...
I could listen to this for hours !! Magic Man !
Derek, you are THE single biggest influence on my playing. Your work with SM is unrivalled. I wrote to John Lydon when I heard McGeogh was dead. Not sure if he read it, but I beseeched him to reform PiL on the grounds we dont live(r) forever and who is to say a reformation is possible one second from now let alone a year. He did reform albeit not with John and Keith. What I am is saying is get hold of all the original members of SM whilst still alive and tour all the great albums - PLEASE!!!
So well put sir!! All original members of SM are still around and how cool would it be to have them get back together? Love the idea......and we wait for them to do this!!!
Dear Derek Forbes you made my fortune, besides that of Simple Minds.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the years between "Real to Real Cacophony" and "Sparkle in the Rain". Diego in Ivy!
Dereck you are AMAZING!!!!
Please play again with the Simple Minds ... with out you the band has an empty space.... Best BASS PLAYER EVER!!!!
A'right, Hafferson. Time for Premonition! Thanking you in advance, Mr. Forbes!
Derek, you are awesome! I am just beginning to appreciate your genius. Thank you for allowing this fan to enjoy years of Simple Minds, which by the way was NEVER the same after you left. I am from the States and I have two young boys who also enjoy some of the songs from Sons and Fascination. Cheers
A master at work!
This is my speed.
He’s my baby.
King of the trance melodic bass line - timeless!
Wow, this is what i call bass playing. Amazing
the king of bassline
Chris Squire, Steve Harris, Mark King, Derek Forbes... GB certainly produced a number of very fine bass players !
Not forgetting JJ Burnel
Shane Huntley Agreed :) As long as you don't mention Dire Straits' bass player :0)
And John Taylor
John Deacon ? John Wetton ? (lots of Johns...)
+Robert Bell Totally agree, Rio, wow a bass line.
one of my all time heroes. superb
Without doubt one the best bass players ever. Thanks.
One of the best bass players ever! This bass drives that song
Classic! Please keep posting Derek. So good to see you playing these.
Definitely the driving force of Simple Minds
Never really been a fan of simple minds tho I do appreciate their music but this guy is awesome on bass, hats off to you mate, brilliant!!
f..k! this bassline is amazing. Sounds even better than the track on its own. Makes your spine crawl remembering what it was all about back then.
Was always being pulled up in pubs and clubs in Glasgow, back in the day,by folk who knew Derek and mistakingly thought I was him.
Cue, a few months later,at Oxford, and my mate pretending to be Bruce Findlay taking the 'Minds' bass player out for a bit of R&R.
Thanx for all those free drinks(and the rest!)Derek.
Most of all,thanx for being the main man !
This bass line absolutely cramps you hand great baseline all the same 👌🏻
God at work.................. me in tears... 🤘🏻
Hey Derek
You made me want to play bass. 30 years later I'm still doing it!
Can you knock out a version of 'Promised you a miracle' or 'Love Song'? I love the way you smack those strings!
Cheers!
Amazing track, one of my fav!
Just ordered yer book (Kindle ) looking forward to reading it , but I a bit pished just now so will start to read it on Monday .. Cheers Derek for the memories , seen you guys way back Tiffany's .
Getting a personal comment - even that one - from Derek Forbes is something indeed!
Reminds me of an old cartoon, one of those that was made as a comment on daily events. A Danish lead singer had gotten so tired of his annoying female fans that he had started to get real rough. On the cartoon you see a young girl, black and blue all over, but dreamy-eyed, with a ecstatic smile. She says: "I was thrown down the stairs... by HIM!!"
You've made my night Derek. You can stick your Giblins and Fosters. You're the man and inspiration behind me taking up bass mate. Would love to see you belt out Glittering Prize, Love Song and Sons & Fascination.
Love Mr Forbes B lines and simple minds lost a hell of a lot of their sound when he and Mr Macneil departed.. just listen to that bass sound for starters, where else do you hear that?
I will say though that I would put money on it that this bass line and I travel in general was influenced heavily by I'm on Fire by 5000 volts and I feel love by Donna Summer.. all this is fine of course as it gave us the magical guitar/electro hybrid that is I Travel, and unique in itself!
Outstanding. And that's a nice Fender. Looks like an apple.
Keep em coming. Love your bass lines. Still one of my all time favorites is New Gold Dream, but I Travel is awesome too.
Yerself, Mick Karn (R.I.P.) and Tina Weymouth are the best i've heard. Rock on!
Agreed. The loyal fans would love to see what would come of your joining forces again. Here's hoping. Thanks for your reply, Derek. Cheers! Alissa
like the Falkirk top on the wall..!!! nice one
Please Derek come back with Simple Minds, you are amazing..
David, French fan.
Thanks so much for the reply, Derek. You're definitely one of the best bassists of the Post-Punk era. And I love your work with Simple Minds since I feel that you contributed to their best albums from 1979-1985. Peace from New York City!
Hi Derek.
We met years ago in Kitchener Waterloo.
Always loved your bass! And the band.
Joyce
Also "theme for great cities" is a great song, jeez theyre all good
i think he should do more its great to watch and hear!
MAN I GOT GOOSE BUMPS ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVIE SIMPS SONG
U THE MAN
omg !!! Derek you are the man! Your bass lines got me into Simple Minds, when Giblin joined, I thought the musical style changed and went off them.... someone told me last week that the band were reforming and i almost came in my pants! then found out that you chose not to be there. i totally respect your decision having seen the latest video! TO ME, YOU WERE THE SOUL OF SIMPLE MINDS and I am sure I am not the only one!
Derek is a bluenose and kerr and burchill didn't like that
@@SrawberrySunday2 wow. Do you mean that how I think you mean that? JK was the problem if I recall.
Good musician and amazing man
Amazing bassist👍👏
Wo ! that was bloody amazing.
Hi Derek, was in your house a few years ago with Pat Neeson who I was the bassist in a few bands with back in the late 90's. Missing the music. Anyhoo, going to see Simple Minds the morra night and found this while searching through some old tunes. You've not lost it buddy. Cracking bassist as ever. Minds are defo not the same without you. Good to see Fourgoodmen carrying on the Propaganda tracks I grew up with.
Glenn.
Hi Derek I like your playing...
Since 1983...
this is what i posted this day to a guy who made a (nearly) perfect performance of your playing:
Me, too, I think this is their best album ever.....
Derek Forbes and Mel Gaynor, the best duo ever....
Unfortunetly, in 1985 Derek was dismissed, the bass was clinical nooormmmaaaal from now on, but Mel's drums covered that in a very good way. I like Mel Gayner's playing sooo much, BUT it would have been some other career with the band if Derek would have been in the band still.
So, I don't know, but Derek Forbes is my all time favourite of Slapping Bass from when I was 20 years old until now when I am 56.
My favourite basses are a 1979 Precision Special which I bought in 1983 (with Derek Forbes in my mind to get HIS sound) and a Sterling Stingray which I bought in 2019 and some others I bought in between ...
The Precision I bought with only the sound of NewGoldDream in my mind. The sellers told me this and that, there were some beautiful Ibanez instruments around, but some day I came across a simple P-Bass around and that was it .....
The sound of Derek....!!!!
I bought it right away in Bochum, Germany.
I don't regret it until now :-)
Dear Derek, whenever you read this, you can drop me a line ....
Wahhh hh.. Wowww
Derek is the best! I’ve been playing bass for a long, long time and I’m nowhere near his standard. If he’s Premier League then I’m Sunday League!
Come on !
We want more ...
Yes Yes one more
Come to see us in Belgium
Derek - This is fantastic. We are in Canada and we're putting together a band "Sons of Fascination" - we're playin' your basslines, thanks very much. I'll post a video when we are not crap!
Excellent Degsy!!
Don't think I've ever seen you play without a couple of bottles of "how's yer faither" but sharp none-the-less :)
Awesome !!!
Wish I could play this well under the influence, hell... wish I could play half as well sober.
This is amazing, what a great guy. And I love the accent. :)
I met Derek and the rest of the big country guys in the shetland hotel last night. Great bunch of sound guys.
WHAT A BASSIST, RIP.
You made me check him. He is still alive.
Hi Derek, even though I'm not such a great Minds fan, I was always addicted (in the beginning without even knowing it) to your awesome bass playing. Theme for great cities (most irresistible, to me), sweat in bullets, colours and the catherine wheel.... by the way, I was in the audience at O2ABC when you played with XSM last autumn (Nov), being in Glagow by chance, deepest pleasure for me to see you play at such close range - thank you ! And please keep on going forever. CHEERZ, ZAK
You know what I want to see, "20th Century Promised Land"!
Cheers Mister Forbes!
grazie Derek...you're the best!!!!
we wait for other Minds' bassline videos!!!!
Just awesome, Derek
Derek Forbes Rocks!!!
Love to see a video like this with the bassline from “The Kick Inside of Me”
- Æ
lovely Bass that, great playin, crackin line, nice tone and just that tiny wee bit of delay at the pause is absolute 'killer'. . 'nae danger' Sa'aaaann. . 'Magic!!'
ah, so that's how it's done, we tried to learn it back in the day and could never quite get it, cheers for sharing.
awesome bass playing. My fave bass along with Mick Karn is Mr Forbes on early Simple Minds material
the best bass player
That's a classic. You tell 'em Big Man1