Mick Hucknall
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Michael Hucknall | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael James Hucknall |
| Born | 8 June 1960 Denton, Lancashire, England |
| Genres | Pop, Soul, R&B Punk |
| Occupations | Singer, Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Associated acts | Simply Red (1985–present) |
| Website | Simply Red Official Site |
Michael Hucknall (born 8 June 1960) is a British singer and songwriter. He is the lead singer of the British band Simply Red, and is recognisable for his smooth, distinctive voice and wide vocal range, as well as his trademark fiery red curly hair.
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[edit] Early life
Hucknall was born in Denton, Lancashire, as an only child. His mother left him when he was three; the upheaval caused by this event inspired him to write the song "Holding Back the Years". He was raised by his father, Reg, a barber in Stockport.[1] He attended Audenshaw School.[2]
[edit] Music career
Hucknall was among the people present at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester in June 1976 where the Sex Pistols were playing.[3] 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 has become the identifiable face of the band. His face, including his long curly red hair, was 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.[4]
On 19 May 2008 Hucknall released his first solo album Tribute to Bobby, a tribute to the blues musician Bobby Bland[5]. Poverty, the first single from the album, was released on 19 May, with the second, Farther Up the Road scheduled for release on 14 July.[citation needed]
In June 2009, Mick took part in 'Songbook' as part of the Sky Arts series, whereby music artists reflect on their favourite compositions and their background history in music.[citation needed]
[edit] Politics and philanthropy
Hucknall is active in politics and is a prominent celebrity supporter of the UK Labour Party; he is a close friend of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.[citation needed] In 1998 Hucknall was named in a list of the biggest private financial donors to the Labour Party (UK). [6] In 2003, Hucknall backed Tony Blair’s stance on Operation Iraqi Freedom, claiming he had “more respect for Blair than ever” and pointed out that British critics of the war were lucky to be living in a country where they could express their opinions. [7] However, he claimed in 2008 that his conscience prevented him from donating to the party again because of the war, although he would still vote for them. [8]
Following the Asian tsunami in 2004 Hucknall made a public statement of support of SOS Children's Villages.[citation needed]
Hucknall has commented that derogatory references to his red hair are a form of bigotry.[9]
[edit] Personal life
Hucknall and his partner Gabriella Wesberry had a daughter, Romy True Hucknall, in June 2007.[10]
Along with Johnny Depp, John Malkovich, and Sean Penn, Hucknall part-owned the Parisian restaurant-bar Man Ray.
He spends much time in Catania, Sicily, where he also produces esteemed wines under the label "Il Cantante" (The Singer).[11]
Hucknall was previously the owner of the La Tasca chain of Tapas restaurants. He came up with the name 'La Tasca' as he was told (incorrectly) by a close Spanish friend that it roughly translated to 'Soulful Redhead' however it actually means 'The Pub' in Catalan.
Hucknall is also an avid Manchester United supporter and allegedly attempted to buy the club.
[edit] Solo Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [12] |
AUT [12] |
GER [12] |
IT [12] |
NL [12] |
SWI [12] |
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| 2008 | Tribute to Bobby
|
18 | 39 | 37 | 25 | 23 | 29 |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Poverty"[citation needed] | Tribute to Bobby |
| "Farther Up the Road"[citation needed] |
[edit] References
- ^ "Simply Red star cleared after arrest for rape". The Daily Telegraph. 19 June 2001. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1375942/Simply-Red-star-cleared-after-arrest-for-rape.html. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
- ^ "Traditional values pay off for school with best results". The Independent. 9 August 2008. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/traditional-values-pay-off-for-school-with-best-results-897547.html. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- ^ "What thrills me". The Guardian. 21 March 2003. http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2003/mar/21/artsfeatures3. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
- ^ BBC News, 24 October 2007, "Pop group Simply Red to split up"
- ^ "BBC music review of Tribute to Bobby". 20 May 2008. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/5h54/. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ "'Luvvies' for Labour". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/161057.stm.
- ^ "The mother of all bachelors". http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2003/mar/23/features.review17.
- ^ "Mick Hucknall has nothing to hide any more". http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1896141/Mick-Hucknall-has-nothing-to-hide-any-more.html.
- ^ Richard Jinman, 5 July 2003, "Taking the Mick" , Sydney Morning Herald
- ^ "Mick Hucknall and Gabriella Westberry Are Having a Baby" Dot Spotter
- ^ "Mick's red is not so simple". The Sydney Morning Herald. 12 April 2004. http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/04/12/1081621878040.html. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f Mick Hucknall at acharts.us acharts.us
[edit] External links
- Simply Red Official Site
- Interview with Mick Hucknall (USA, 2003)
- Mick Hucknall at the Internet Movie Database
- Blood & Fire
- Frantic Elevators - Unofficial site
- Simply Red at Glastonbury 1986
- Download David Jensen's interview with Mick Hucknall recorded for Capital Gold UK Radio in March 2007
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