Mick Hucknall
| Mick Hucknall | |
|---|---|
Hucknall in 2009
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael James Hucknall |
| Born |
8 June 1960 Manchester, England |
| Genres | Pop, R&B, blue-eyed soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, bass, piano |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels |
Elektra (1985–88) East West (1989–2000) simplyred.com (2001–present) |
| Associated acts | The Frantic Elevators (1979–84) Simply Red (1985–present) Faces (2009–2012) |
| Website | simplyred.com |
Michael James "Mick" Hucknall (born 8 June 1960) is an English pop singer and songwriter. Hucknall achieved international fame in the 1980s as the lead singer and songwriter of the soul-influenced pop band Simply Red, with whom he enjoyed a 25-year career and sold over 50 million albums. Hucknall has been described as "one of the truly great blue-eyed soul singers".
Hucknall, born at St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, was an only child. His mother abandoned the family when he was three; the upheaval caused by this event inspired him to write "Holding Back the Years," which would become one of Simply Red's biggest and best-known hits. He was brought up by his father, Reginald (1935–2009), a barber in . He attended Audenshaw School. It would not be until the mid-1990s that he would finally reconnect with his mother, Maureen, who was by then living in Dallas. As of a 2008 interview, he had only seen her on two occasions since she first abandoned the family.
Hucknall was among the people present at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester in June 1976 where the Sex Pistols were playing. His interest in the music scene led to the launch of his career in the late 1970s, when he was part of the formation of the band Frantic Elevators.
The Frantic Elevators released four singles, including a version of "Holding Back the Years", which he later recorded with Simply Red.
As lead singer and core member of Simply Red, he became the identifiable face of the band. His face and long curly red hair were featured prominently on album artwork and in videos.
Hucknall is also one of the founders and financial backers of the successful reggae label Blood and Fire. He also manages the record label simplyred.com.
In October 2007, on David Jensen's show on the Gold network, he announced Simply Red would split in 2009.
In 2008 Hucknall released his first solo album Tribute to Bobby, a tribute to the blues musician Bobby "Blue" Bland.
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