Mick Hucknall - Music Career

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. 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 re-formed 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.

On April 14, 2012, Hucknall sang lead on Stay with Me with the Faces at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

In october 2012, he released American soul, a collection of his favourite music re-recorded with his vocals.