LAY ACROSS MY BIG BRASS BED!
Patti Smith is due back in Glasgow, and for me that is something to look forward to. Plenty of long term fans will again relish the opportunity - and for those who have yet to see Patti live? Well, they can look forward to something unique.
Fact is they really don't make rock and roll stars like Patti Smith any more, and I'm not sure that they ever did before she came along.
One listen to her debut will verify that claim.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPO0bTaWcFQ
Having never played the venue in which she and her band are due to perform, there is little I can advise her about the experience that awaits. She is already familiar with how passionate her fans in Scotland are in any case. That said though, I do hope for her sake that she now keeps her room tidier than the accompanying photograph suggest? Otherwise, the feisty cleaner/chambermaids that work in our city's main hotels will not hesitate in holding back with their opinions on the matter.
I know this, because my grandmother was one.
God knows how many different beds I myself have slept in, or how many hotel rooms I have occupied since I started touring intensively with Simple Minds? Could easily be nearly 3,000 - at a rough estimation. That is a lot of different pillows for sure.
Then again Charlie and I had been travelling for a few years even before Simple Minds, long before we could ever afford any kind roof over our heads while doing so.
Instead we'd 'bed down for the night' in various European train stations, while occasionally sleeping in the long grass along the side of endless motorways/autobahns as we hitch hiked up and down the continent's main arteries.
Every few nights we'd splash out and book a room at a youth hostel where we would sleep like babies after taking the longest showers.
Memorably we spent one very cold night in a phone box on the outskirts of Newcastle. Sleeping while standing and trying to keep warm from the sleet outside, still high after witnessing a mesmerising performance by our then favourite band, The Doctors Of Madness.
We almost froze that night as a result of not being able to hitch a lift back the 150 miles to Glasgow.
I often find myself recalling the experiences of those times. In doing so I appreciate even more how comfortable we are looked after on tour these days.
More so when returning from a lengthy world tour, and finally
climbing into one’s own bed.
Exhausted.
Happy.
And entirely grateful for the life that music has given.
You really do need to write a book, it’s great to know your still grounded Jim, lots of people would love to have had a career in music and never did for one reason or another.....to have done so and to make so many people happy must be an amazing thing. When the musics in you, giving up isn’t an option is it but don’t stop........Ever and while you’ve still got something to say, say it !!!
Jim, those sentiments struck such a chord with me!! I left school in 1991 just as my favourite band were touring the Real life album. Started labouring with a builder to scratch money to watch you guys. During the next few months me and my pals slept rough on or outside train stations in Milton keynes, Maine rd, birmingham, and Sheffield .Why?? We couldn't afford hotels, and the last train back to Anglesey that night would have meant missing th encore section.......NO CHANCE!!!!!!!😂😂 Up the ever ready rough sleepers!!!!💪💪💪👍👍💗
First time I heard Simple Minds live was in Gentofte stadium in Denmark. We took the ferry from Norway, and the local train from Copenhagen to the stadium. I still remember coming off the train and hearing the bass lines from “Waterfront” from the sound check. Instant nirvana. The concert started exactly when it was to start (unlike many other bands who seem to think letting people wait is fun). And it was amazing. Simply amazing. A party from start to end. Left with the same train, heads spinning. Spent the night in an 18-person room at a hostel with lots of strangers. Several guys were ill during the night, one didn’t even make to the sink/wc but ended up throwing up on the floor. And half-assed trying to get everything up with a towel afterwards. One guy brought a woman into the room and started serious business on a table before a huge guy who wanted to sleep tossed them out. But that got another guy in a bed close by started, so he kept doing his private business quite loudly for the the next 10-15 minutes. Yup. Those were the days. And totally worth it.
Nothing beats sleeping in the most beautiful bed at Villa Angela, Taormina Sicily after 42 hours of travel from Newcastle Australia - pure heaven!
Maybe there's a roadmovie in Jim and Charlies hitchhike adventures?
Patty Smith oh Wow ! :O Never got the chance to see her live, and yeah sure would love to see her ! 😍
I absolutely have to agree with YOU about Patti. Loved her music for years but never saw her live until the Hop Farm in 2010. Blew. My. Mind. I can't put into words just HOW she was so brilliant, she just WAS.
Saw her and met her at The Rainbow in Finsbury Park. She was like a small bird.She acted like a fan after I told her I'd travelled 500miles to see her. Precious memories.
I had the chance to see her live a few years ago in a historical cinema where also concerts take place in my city as my son was was working there as light engineer on that evening. Patti is such a fantastic performer. Really enjoyed her concert. Even my son liked her though it definitely was not his time when she started making music.
I love how you stay so grounded Jim, it’s a lovely and rare quality for someone so famous! Simple Minds have given me the opportunity to travel to so many places I would never have been if not to see them and in doing so met some wonderful people and made some amazing memories - thank you. Pity I didn’t know you back in your hitchhiking days, I don’t live too far from Newcastle. I don’t have a big brass bed but it’s very comfy all the same! X🎶❤️🎶😜
So far I've never had the chance to see her live, must be an extrodinary, glorious experience. To the lucky ones who are going, enjoy! Fortunately this post reminds me not only of my early journeys with only a sleeping back and a thin sleeping pat but also that a want to read Patti Smith's new book "Devotion". The book review I found weeks ago really made me curious about it.
Love the way you takes back in time. I can vividly imagine both you and Charlie in your adventures writing Simple Minds HISTORY for us. Thank you for your sharing.
Love your stories jim. Especially about artists I haven't heard of. You're a wee musical encyclopedia 😂
Thank you for sharing these wonderful treasures of experiences and thoughts. They are purely magic!
Buongiorno ☀️ It’s always enjoyable reading your stories... In a part of it, I can share with you having used pillows and beds in many different hotels as I have travelled a lot as a tour manager. And then when you go back HOME there is no better place where to stay. Ciaooo 😎😘
And what is the best hotel you ever slept in ? I'm sure your favourite bed is your own bed, isn't it ? 😃😴
As someone who loves Patti Smith, has been a chambermaid and also slept rough around the UK many times over the years going to see my beloved bands (including one night in a doorway somewhere in the centre of Glasgow - brrrrr!!) - I can totally relate 🙃😜 - sadly not seeing Patti this time around though I am back up in Glasgae next month for The Cure - can't wait...
since I joined to this page, I have been love to read about Simple Minds history, memories of the group, your special friendship with Charlie, you, your memories about your life, your family, special or important things in the world, well, about everything pass in the world happy, terrible or incredible ... I have loved each history and this isn’t the exception, when I was reading I only could think to tell to all of you THANKS AND ONE THOUSAND THANKS, for your time out of home, sleeping in a different bed each night, far away home and family, only to give us, the people like me, who love your music, your songs, your passion and love for your work and the people to hear you. how I have tell you many times, thanks to share your talent and music with us and make us so happy in this “special and particular” world. THANKS JIM TO BE SO EXTRAORDINARY MUSIC AND WRITER ☺️
Love these stories and insights.
Just love your adventures, I try to picture in my head the things you did. Standing while sleeping sounds very difficult. It is really neat how close you and Charlie are, like brothers. Never saw Patti, I believe she was here in the States a bit ago. I missed several concerts as of late, pretty bummed about it. I hope you have a swell time seeing her. 🙂
I’ve been celebrating your birthday in Florida all week Will be returning to New Orleans tomorrow ( during a storm) to sleep in my own bed, surrounded by my fur babies! That’s what I miss the most about home..
Attended to see her in Mexico City! Cool !😎 of course as well as you ! Unforgettable experience last year!
After one SM gig, I stayed in a hostel. Still have no idea who was in the same room. Just saw two pairs of feet in a bunk bed and a neat display of their boots... and they were gone by 6am! Oh, the mysteries of SM fan life! 😅
😄 Everything in here you've written about sounds fun and exciting YA! The 4th and 5th paragraph sounds like an adventure that was full of Hope and I am so very happy you did all of that to get to where you are today 👍❤️😄🙂😘
Just see Stereophonics in Swansea , quite a long drive from Lincolnshire, but well worth it ! Leaving here early doors for our next big day out tomorrow in Northamptonshire . Girls who travel 😍
FROM SCOTLAND WITH LOVE
When the sun pokes its head out in the skies above Scotland, that for me is excuse enough to drop all responsibilities and head for 'The Kingdom Of Fife.'
"There is so much for you to discover on the Fife Coastal Path. Stretching for 117 miles from the Firth of Forth in the south, to the Firth of Tay in the north, the route offers an unrivalled walking experience." Declares the local tourist brochure, quite rightly blowing its own horn.
That said? Those coastal walks around Sydney, Australia could rival anywhere on earth. Likewise I'm now thinking of the area around Capetown, South Africa - Camps Bay to Bantry Bay?
Today or tomorrow just might be one of those Fife days for me. And if I end up near the sand and rock beach of the harbour at Pittenweem, nothing will make me happier.
Little doubt, en route I will take the opportunity to listen to a particular favourite. An album so special it makes my heart swell with pride to know that is was created in Scotland, by a Fife born artist.
That would be the soundtrack to 'From Scotland With Love' from King Creosote.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/From_Scotland_with_Love
Although I could never choose a favourite track from an album I consider to be among the very best in my collection, it is this song that makes me smile the most as I'm headed to the sea.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UoNt-pyupU
Do you have a favourite song with a sea - or seaside - theme?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0eZwpHtcK4
My mind overlooked this one yesterday...but reading over the comments again just now it was triggered to remember this gem! https://youtu.be/k7L3PxX45MI
Maggie Pugin from Texas. Yes, Jim New Gold dream says it all...what is in my heart and soul. New gold dream She is the one in front of me, the siren and the ecstasy New gold dream Crashing beats and fantasy, setting sun in front of me New gold dream And the world goes hot And the cities take And the beat goes crashing All along the way She is your friend until the ocean breaks And when you dream, dream in the dream with me And when you dream, dream i...Like the song you posted even past the upbeat musical arrangements the singer is nostalgic. That is why I moved to South Padre Island the beach closest to me. I love the way the Earth speaks through the seashore. It is home where I was born. ..."Untill the bitter end"
Does The Waterboys Fisherman blues count? I was born in Sydney and yes...is a beautiful place too. I love the smell of Circular Quay. My dad used to work on the ferries..long before I was born. I had a beautiful friend Margaret Blair who lived in Culross, Fife. She passed away a few years ago. She lived right across the road from the river. Is a gorgeous part of the world.
Fisherman’s Blues by The Waterboys. All time classic. Enjoy your time at the coast x
My Island Home. Christine Anu. 🇦🇺
The most evocative at all, from the '80s: Summer on a solitary beach - Franco Battiato.
Well…as Yesterday with Enrico Malvano we remembered last year's concert in Genoa I can't fail to mention “Barroland stars” that we sang together ( " you an meee"…) at the beautiful Arena del Mare in Genoa Jim ^ _ ^ ... on of "those moments" that the sea can reserve and give me forever. Been in Scotland twice but only in the beautiful Edimburgh (and Linthligow) and saw nothing else alas…i know (from you ) that Fife would be another place to be. Maybe one day…. ? a big hug from a sunny italian office day to you, Adri.
I loved watching From Scotland With Love and King Creosote’s soundtrack just worked SSOO well with it. Fave sea songs? Iggy Pop’s The Endless Sea first sprung to mind (it’s the drums, I think);but then there is this...it brings me to tears. It’s an amazing album closer, and those horns are divine - https://youtu.be/17yWeynOfOI
This one from Bruce is pretty tidy https://youtu.be/xyNlEtktW54
Was listening to a little King Creosote this morning driving up the west coast of Harris to work (you’ve still not popped in!) and as for a sea related track that would be ‘John Taylor’s month away’ for me. 😊
'Ocean Deep' sung by the great Broderick Smith and written by the late Andrew Durant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irehic8MKxQ
Dolphins wiĺl do thank you
How nice, if you can draw from such a seemingly endless pool of impressions and experiences and have come so far in the world and still return again and again to its roots full of happiness to enjoy their beauty. I can say from my own experience that this also works, if you have not got around so far in the world, it would be nice, but apparently it should not be like this. I am by no means unhappy with it and I am infinitely grateful for the places that have already been allowed to experience. This is in the first place, followed closely by Norway, Scotland. These are the only areas that leave me completely at peace, where I can be with myself and feel wonderfully contented. Surely there are an incredible number of such places, but I will never see them and as I said - it is a pity, but not bad!
Love the coastal walks in Scotland and Australia
Fife is life ❤️
La Mer by Charles Trenet.. is always nice to hear.
My daily coastal walking path with the extra blessing of watching the migrating humpback whales during the next few months. Australia does coastal paths beautifully! On the playlist, Dire Straits, Water of Love:) :)
Icehouse, Where The River Meets The Sea: If you catch yourself some morning Staring at some distant land With the wind along the shoreline Disappearing into sand Fighting back against the tide and Slowing, sinking, losing ground, `cos you`ve found yourself some answers But you still don`t understand
Roxy Music's Sea Breezes and Waterfront, of course. Thanks for the post Jim, knew very little about King Creosote, we'll investigate. Been to Scotland twice, but never got to the west coast sadly, my husband is from the Borders and grew up in Cornhill and Coldstream. We got as far north as Inverness last time, so hopefully west coast next trip. (I'm winning Lotto, of course!) 😁
We are very fortunate in Fife to have the beautiful Coastal Path and now also the newly opened Pilgrims Way. Thoughts of the sea often brings feeling wistful longings to live beside it and to break away from my present state and this song. Written and covered by 2 of my favourite bands. https://youtu.be/bP4otMoShFE
I love Fife, many many years ago my sister couldn't get a permanent teaching job in Glasgow, her first permanent post was in St Andrews Madras college, she rented a cottage in a beautiful place called Crail , ( love the pottery from there) , and this was where I first enjoyed listening to Home by the sea by Genesis, not a huge fan , but liked listening to this when I was there as we were right beside the sea , you can't beat Scotland for it's beautiful scenery and marvellous coastline and the best seafood our shores have to offer ❤
The seaside in Scotland is beautiful. For me, I am partial to any seaside landscapes. Seaside is my favorite place to be. Echo and the Bunnymen- Songs to Learn and Sing.
this is one of my favs u did with mir jim https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av7y3JNr__4
A seaside playlist - what a wonderful idea! Perfect for our little roadtrip to Scotland coming up soon. My brother and I can never agree on anything when it comes to music while driving, so we mostly end up with Queen (which we both like). Besides he is a passionate driver and it always needs a lot of sweet talking to get him into walking...My own favourite seaside song is "Beyond the sea" by Robbie Williams (or the original "La Mer" by Charles Trenet). And now I will try to get my little lazy brother into making a special Simple Minds fans playlist for favourite seaside songs.... :).
Live Shows
Dec
31
Thu
2020
Always keep an eye on the tour page as confirmed tour dates are added there first! Visit the tour archive to see where the band played last.
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed”
Simple Minds
