Mick Hucknall
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mick" Hucknall (born 8 June 1960) is a British singer and songwriter. He was 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 red curly hair.
, an only child. His mother left him when he was three; the upheaval this event caused inspired him to write"Holding Back the Years
". He was raised by his father, Reginald (1935 – 5 November 2009), a barber in Stockport
. 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.
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 has become 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.
On 19 May 2008 Hucknall released his first solo album Tribute to Bobby
, a tribute to the blues musician Bobby "Blue" Bland. 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.
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.
In October 2009, Mick appeared at a charity performance as vocalist for a reformed version of Faces
, replacing Rod Stewart
. In May 2010, it was announced that the new Faces line-up with Mick as frontman would be performing festival shows in 2010, followed by a world tour in 2011.
. In 1997, he declared his support for the Labour Party at that year's general election
– which it won by a landslide under the leadership of Tony Blair
to return to government after 18 years in opposition. In 1998 Hucknall was named in a list of those who donated more than 5,000 pounds to the party. 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. 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.
Hucknall has commented that derogatory references to his red hair
are a form of bigotry
.
Simply Red were touring Australia in February 2009 and were due to do a concert in the Yarra Valley
, on the weekend of the Black Saturday bushfires, which devastated a large area of the state of Victoria. Because of the bushfires, the concert had to be cancelled. Mick Hucknall and the band donated generously to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
, Scotland. He spends a considerable amount of time in Ireland, where he purchased the Glenmore Estate in County Donegal
.
Along with American actors Johnny Depp
, John Malkovich
and Sean Penn
, Hucknall part-owned the Parisian restaurant-bar Man Ray
.
He co-owns Ask Property Development, a company that constructs city squares and public buildings.
He spends much time in Catania, Sicily, where he produces wines under the label "Il Cantante" (The Singer).
Hucknall is a Manchester United
fan
.
In 2010, Hucknall admitted that in his most successful years, between 1985 and 1987, he would have sex with about three women a day and described himself as a sex addict
.
– June 1989
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
, and is recognisable for his smooth, distinctive voice and wide vocal range, as well as his red curly hair.
Early life
Hucknall was born in DentonDenton, Greater Manchester
Denton is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, in Greater Manchester, England. It is five miles to the east of Manchester city centre, and has a population of 26,866....
, an only child. His mother left him when he was three; the upheaval this event caused inspired him to write"Holding Back the Years
Holding Back The Years
"Holding Back the Years" is the 7th track of Simply Red's debut studio album Picture Book. The song was a smash success for the group and quickly rose to the top of charts across the world. It remains their most successful single, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending 12...
". He was raised by his father, Reginald (1935 – 5 November 2009), a barber in Stockport
Stockport
Stockport is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies on elevated ground southeast of Manchester city centre, at the point where the rivers Goyt and Tame join and create the River Mersey. Stockport is the largest settlement in the metropolitan borough of the same name...
. He attended Audenshaw School
Audenshaw School
Audenshaw School is a male-only secondary school in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester, England, established in 1932 as Audenshaw Grammar School. An adjoining co-educational sixth form college was opened in 1997, the same year the school was granted foundation school status...
. 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.
Music career
Hucknall was among the people present at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester in June 1976 where the Sex PistolsSex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
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 has become 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
David Jensen
David "Kid" Jensen , is a Danish Canadian-born, British radio DJ.-Early career:Born in a Danish family residing Victoria, British Columbia, Jensen began his career in his home country at the age of sixteen playing jazz and classical music. He then joined Radio Luxembourg at the age of eighteen in...
's show on the Gold network, he announced Simply Red would split in 2009.
On 19 May 2008 Hucknall released his first solo album Tribute to Bobby
Tribute to Bobby
Tribute to Bobby is a 2008 album by Mick Hucknall and his first solo album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 19 May 2008 and is a collection of songs in tribute to the blues singer Bobby Bland.A DVD was also released along with the album...
, a tribute to the blues musician Bobby "Blue" Bland. 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.
In June 2009, Mick took part in 'Songbook' as part of the Sky Arts
Sky Arts
Sky Arts and Sky Arts HD is the brand name for a group of art-oriented television channels offering 18 hours a day of programmes dedicated to highbrow arts, including theatrical performances, movies, documentaries and music...
series, whereby music artists reflect on their favourite compositions and their background history in music.
In October 2009, Mick appeared at a charity performance as vocalist for a reformed version of Faces
Faces (band)
Faces are an English rock band formed in 1969 by members of the Small Faces after Steve Marriott left that group to form Humble Pie...
, replacing Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
. In May 2010, it was announced that the new Faces line-up with Mick as frontman would be performing festival shows in 2010, followed by a world tour in 2011.
Politics and philanthropy
Hucknall is active in politics and is a prominent celebrity supporter of the UK Labour PartyLabour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
. In 1997, he declared his support for the Labour Party at that year's general election
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
– which it won by a landslide under the leadership of Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
to return to government after 18 years in opposition. In 1998 Hucknall was named in a list of those who donated more than 5,000 pounds to the party. In 2003, Hucknall backed Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
’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. 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.
Hucknall has commented that derogatory references to his red hair
Red hair
Red hair occurs on approximately 1–2% of the human population. It occurs more frequently in people of northern or western European ancestry, and less frequently in other populations...
are a form of bigotry
Bigotry
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs...
.
Simply Red were touring Australia in February 2009 and were due to do a concert in the Yarra Valley
Yarra Valley
The Yarra Valley is the name given to the region surrounding the Yarra River in Victoria, Australia. The river originates approximately 90 kilometres east of the City of Melbourne and flows towards it and out into Port Phillip Bay...
, on the weekend of the Black Saturday bushfires, which devastated a large area of the state of Victoria. Because of the bushfires, the concert had to be cancelled. Mick Hucknall and the band donated generously to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.
Personal life
Hucknall and his partner, Gabriella Wesberry, had a daughter, Romy True Hucknall, in June 2007. Hucknall and Wesberry married on 25 May 2010, at the 16th-century Forter Castle in Glenisla, PerthshirePerthshire
Perthshire, officially the County of Perth , is a registration county in central Scotland. It extends from Strathmore in the east, to the Pass of Drumochter in the north, Rannoch Moor and Ben Lui in the west, and Aberfoyle in the south...
, Scotland. He spends a considerable amount of time in Ireland, where he purchased the Glenmore Estate in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
.
Along with American actors Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
, John Malkovich
John Malkovich
John Gavin Malkovich is an American actor, producer, director and fashion designer with his label Technobohemian. Over the last 25 years of his career, Malkovich has appeared in more than 70 motion pictures. For his roles in Places in the Heart and In the Line of Fire, he received Academy Award...
and Sean Penn
Sean Penn
Sean Justin Penn is an American actor, screenwriter and film director, also known for his political and social activism...
, Hucknall part-owned the Parisian restaurant-bar Man Ray
Man Ray (bar)
The Man Ray bar was a restaurant-bar in Paris, France. A former cinema, the bar was once part-owned by American actors Johnny Depp, Sean Penn, John Malkovich and British musician Mick Hucknall, and was located at 34 Rue Marbeuf . The club has since been renamed 'World Place', comprising the Lobster...
.
He co-owns Ask Property Development, a company that constructs city squares and public buildings.
He spends much time in Catania, Sicily, where he produces wines under the label "Il Cantante" (The Singer).
Hucknall is a Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
fan
Fan (person)
A Fan, sometimes also called aficionado or supporter, is a person with a liking and enthusiasm for something, such as a band or a sports team. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
.
In 2010, Hucknall admitted that in his most successful years, between 1985 and 1987, he would have sex with about three women a day and described himself as a sex addict
Sexual addiction
Sexual addiction is a popular model to explain hypersexuality—sexual urges, behaviors, or thoughts that appear extreme in frequency or feel out of one's control...
.
Albums
| Year | Album | Chart Positions | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
AUT Austria Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the... |
GER Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... |
IT |
NL Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
SWI Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... |
||
| 2008 | Tribute to Bobby Tribute to Bobby Tribute to Bobby is a 2008 album by Mick Hucknall and his first solo album. It was released in the United Kingdom on 19 May 2008 and is a collection of songs in tribute to the blues singer Bobby Bland.A DVD was also released along with the album...
|
18 | 39 | 37 | 25 | 23 | 29 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "Poverty" | Tribute to Bobby |
| "Farther Up the Road Farther Up the Road "Farther Up the Road" or "Further on Up the Road" is a blues song first recorded in 1957 by Bobby "Blue" Bland. The song became Bland's first record chart success and one of his best-known songs... " |
||
| 2011 | "Happy This Christmas" | Non-album single |
Other appearances
| Year | Song | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | "T-Bone Shuffle" | Jools Holland's Big Band Rhythm & Blues |
Quotation
Mick Hucknall – NMENME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
– June 1989