After Dinner Speakers: Simple Minds, Foo Fighters, John Simpson

Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Tony Donald and Brian McGee childhood Glaswegian friends formed the punk band Johnny and the Self-Abusers and then the more commercially named Simple Minds in 1978. A fantastically successful international career began with their first album, Life in a Day in 1979 and has continued with a cult and loyal following for twenty-five years. Touring regularly, the group has a strong political agenda, donating the proceeds from various concerts to Amnesty International, taking part in Live Aid in 1985 and enthusiastically promoting the Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday concert in London's Wembley Stadium in 1988. Jim Kerr, the bands talismanic leader has been financially successful and is said to be one of Britain's most wealthy musicians. A fan of Glasgow Celtic Football Club, Kerr was part of a consortium that attempted to buy the club in 1998.