Jim Kerr of Simple Minds Talks Music, Touring, and Football on The SoCal Sound
LIVE ON-AIR on More Music In the Morning with Nic Harcourt + Jet
Legendary Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr stopped by More Music in the Morning with Nic Harcourt and Jet on The SoCal Sound for a lively conversation about the band's journey, their upcoming tour, and his deep-rooted love for football. It was a morning of nostalgia, rock history, and excitement for what’s ahead.
The Roots of Simple Minds
Jim took a trip down memory lane, recounting his early days growing up in Glasgow and the musical influences that shaped him. Before Simple Minds, he and his bandmates dabbled in different genres, from glam rock to punk. He shared how David Bowie and Marc Bolan were early inspirations, leading him to buy his first concert ticket—just 60 pence—for Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust tour. “Whatever that is, I want some of that,” Jim recalled thinking as a teenager.
He also shared the almost-mythical story of missing out on seeing the Sex Pistols because of bad luck hitchhiking to London, only to end up in Paris catching a Patti Smith show instead. “The world just seemed to open up,” he said, emphasizing how punk’s DIY ethos encouraged an entire generation to create music, fanzines, and art.
Timeless Hits & New Adventures
From Don’t You Forget About Me to Alive and Kicking, Simple Minds' music has endured for decades. Jet shared a personal connection, revealing that the first record she “stole” from her mom’s collection was Don’t You Forget About Me. Jim was thrilled to hear that, saying how incredible it is that new generations still connect with the band’s catalog.
The conversation then turned to their upcoming tour, marking Simple Minds’ first U.S. run in over six years. Last year, they played the Cruel World festival in Pasadena and were blown away by the response. “We thought a few people would be happy to see us, but the crowd in front of the stage just blew us away,” Jim said. Now, they’re hitting the road with Soft Cell and Modern English, bringing their legendary sound to fans across the country.
Football and Celtic Pride
Beyond music, Jim Kerr is a passionate football fan, deeply devoted to Glasgow Celtic. As fate would have it, the day of the interview coincided with a crucial Champions League match between Celtic and Aston Villa—Nic’s childhood team. The two bantered over the rivalry, with Jim playfully predicting a hopeful 3-3 draw, while Nic envisioned a 3-0 win for Villa. Jim also reflected on his family’s generational connection to Celtic, saying, “My family has been going to Celtic matches since the club was formed.” [the final score 4-2: Aston Villa]
What’s Next?
Jim and the band are gearing up for a major U.S. tour, stopping at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on May 22nd and Palm Springs’ Acrisure Arena on May 23rd. They’ll also be appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to give fans a taste of what’s to come.
Tune into More Music In The Morning with Nic Harcourt + Jet; weekday mornings from 6-10a on 88.5FM Southern California, or through our free app, just search for The SoCal Sound in the app store or google play!
