And so to this week, where we are soon to be making our way to the Nevada Desert, and above all to that mecca of gambling and many other ritzy pastimes – Las Vegas. Lady Luck certainly happened our way when producer Keith Forsey and movie director, John Hughes came banging on our door in November ’84. The Breakfast Club movie had recently finished shooting and they were adamant that they wanted Simple Minds to record the main song for the soundtrack – Don’t You (Forget About Me). Plenty of others have claimed that they wanted them too, but I don’t believe a word of it.

In any case, the success of that song/movie fast-tracked Simple Minds onto a level of success that may or may not already have been coming our way. But it also alienated some of our until then loyal followers who had perceived Simple Minds as, a cool Euro thing only, and certainly not something to be splattered all over MTV. They were of course entitled to their opinion. It is not my favourite Minds track either. But I don’t have one to begin with! (For your info, Alive And Kicking – the follow up to Don’t You – reached No. 2 on the Billboard Charts).

I am however eternally grateful to be associated with a record that has given so much pleasure to so many. Plus, it is always a blast to perform. Our gratitude will hopefully be evident when we walk on at the MGM Grand in Vegas this coming Sunday. That apart I must admit that I also like the notion of having sung on a record that once sat at the No. 1 position on the American Billboard Charts. Forgive the victory lap, but come on! Not too many can say that!

Jim Kerr

Yes! On November 21, 2014, the group interpreted the song in live at Le Grand Studio RTL.