Miracle workers: Simple Minds (from left) Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Brian McGee and Mick MacNeil backstage at the Marquee, London, October 13, 1979.
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HELLO MARCH 1978
I was playing lead guitar in the Subs and Jim Kerr [Simple Minds frontman] used to come and see us all the time with Jaine Henderson, his girlfriend. Our drummer from the Subs, Ali MacKenzie left, and Brian McGee, the original Simple Minds drummer, said he’d do a gig at Strathclyde University with us. Then, when Tony Donald [original Simple Minds bassist] left, Jim, Charlie [Burchill, guitar] and the other guys in the band asked me to join. I wanted to get back to lead guitar, but I do enjoy playing bass. I’d had an audition with The Rezillos but they got this good-looking guy called Simon Templar instead. Also, my Gibson Les Paul got stolen. So I thought, I might as well join Simple Minds, and it was probably the best decision I made in my life.