Jim’s Diary

Arriving in Sydney inevitably brings back many recollections of previous visits, none so much as the very first. Of course back then, we were hardly "the widely traveled - and all the more wise for it" beings, that we should be by now. On the...

Ever since I started to take an interest in going to see live bands, likewise I became interested in live albums. All of which stands to reason of course. For it makes complete sense that had you witnessed a performance that had impressed - so...

On one of my regular hikes, I pass a tree that has a plaque detailing that this tree is more than a thousand years old. Its visible roots are amazingly gnarled; so solid, they look more like they are made of stone. The rest of this...

About a 10 minute scooter ride, climbing high above Taormina. There is a desolate and unkempt football field that lies at the foot of Monte Venere. In all my years of going there, it is so rare that I see anyone and that was very...

Relaxed? Anymore relaxed I would be comatose. That as always is the effect on me after spending time in Taormina, and that also was the effect I was hoping would take over when I arrived at Catania airport a couple of weeks ago. In truth,...

Throughout years of commenting I have hopefully succeeded in establishing that Simple Minds continue to exist due to the efforts of everyone who has worked with us. That some played much bigger parts than others may be evident, but there is no getting away from...

This week, September 13th to be precise, sees the 30th anniversary of the release of our "breakthrough album" New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84. Both critically and commercially the album achieved a combined success in the UK and paved the way for much bigger success internationally throughout...

There are innumerate things that can hit you as you go jogging thru Hyde Park. Frisbee´s, tennis balls, football´s, falling branches, as well as the smell of candy floss and the inevitable hotdogs etc. If it is a particularly sunny morning, as it was yesterday, you...

Such was the heat on stage during our recent set in Catania, that the trickles of sweat were running all over, and into my ears even? As a result, the fluid then went into my “in - ear monitors” causing them to partly dysfunction and...

Simple Minds love Italy. That is not to say that we don´t revel in all the places that kindly have one way or another taken our music and us to their collective hearts. But our affection for that country in particular has another volume altogether....

Unfortunately we cannot be in Glasgow tomorrow on the sad occasion when they lay to rest Joe McBride. As a 6 year old who was then just getting used to being taken regularly to Celtic Park, I had the great privilege to see a great...

Ever since I can remember, the UK media has been obsessed in one way or another by The Rolling Stones. It continues and in fact shows no sign of any reduction, particularly over the last few days where there has been plentiful media space highlighting...