Mick Hucknall

Mick Hucknall in Bremen, Germany.

Michael Hucknall (born 8 June 1960) is a British singer and songwriter. He (also known as "Mick 'Red Mick' Hucknall") is the lead singer of the British band Simply Red.

Early life

Hucknall was born in St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, England, the son of Reg and Maureen Hucknall. His mother left the family when Hucknall was aged three. He and his father lived very briefly in Bredbury before settling in Denton, where he grew up. He attended Audenshaw Grammar School for Boys.

Music career

Hucknall claims to have been 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 seventies, 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.

Hucknall has commented that derogatory references to his sinful red hair are a form of bigotry.

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.

It has been claimed Hucknall's resentment for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is evident in three of Simply Red's songs; "She'll Have To Go" on the Simply Red album A New Flame, Your Mirror and Wonderland on the Stars album.

Following the Asian tsunami in 2004 Hucknall made a public statement of support for the charity.

Personal life

Hucknall and his partner Gabriella Wesberry had a baby daughter, Romy True Hucknall, together in June 2007.

In October 2007, on David Jensen's show on the Gold network, he announced Simply Red would split in 2009.

Along with Johnny Depp, John Malkovich, Craig David (silent partner) and Sean Penn, Hucknall part-owns the Parisian restaurant-bar Man Ray (bar).

After the commercia disaster of his experimental Hip-Hop album, He has reinvented himself of late, now prefering to be known as 'Simply Mick'. He has been spending a lot of time with Bjork, reportedly penning new songs with her in an igloo.

Hucknall is also the owner of the La Tasca chain of Tapas restaurants. Criticized heavily for "stunning ignorance regarding restaurant ownership"[1], Hucknall - fueled by a concoction of cocaine and Iceland turkey drummers - went ballistic, punching all the tapas with his pink little fists and screaming quite loudly. Once subdued by a member of staff, Hucknall stood on a table at the back of the restaurant and performed a "rousing four hour set"[2] of his past and present hits. Diners - once disappointed by lukewarm tapas - went crazy, screaming with glee, clapping with joy, pulling Hucknall's hair and throwing money at him, some with a degree of viciousness not unbecoming football hooligans.

Hucknall is an avid follower of football team Manchester United.

He once dated former EastEnders star Martine McCutcheon. Their relationship came to a quick end after McCutcheon threw up in his hair after a drunken night out, resulting Hucknall having to cut his famous dreadlocks off.

External links

• Simply Red Official Site
• Guardian article (March 21, 2003)
• Interview with Mick Hucknall (USA, 2003)
• Mick Hucknall at IMDb
• 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
• Harry Hill Sketch about the "National Index of A Big Face" Featuring Hucknall