The band has lost it`s signature mysterious sound without this guy. I have seen them four times , twice with him and twice after him. First two were two of the best gigs I`ve ever been to. No Mel now either. Saw them in Manchester last month , a nice revisit after decades but I really went for Del Amitri as support. Was a great night but The two Street fighting years tour gigs (Roundhay park and Birmingham NEC) were epic nights. Saw them in 91 at Manchester Maine road on Real life tour without Mick and the difference was noticeable. A good gig but not as brilliant as 89 Tour. Hope he rejoins them. I would go again. One of the great bands , better than U2 for me.
Just want to say thank you to a real star and top gent. He bothered to take time out from a meal he was having with his family in a restaurant in Glasgow on Saturday night, and speak to me whilst on the next table. He'd noticed my Simple Minds shirt and tapped me on the shoulder to ask if I was going to the gig. Then spent some time talking to me, and allowed a photo after my son asked. Really made my night! Great SM gig, and that was the icing on the cake. Thanks again Mick, love your music, pure genius.
A simple Minds fan since 1983 and from the day he left we lost our melodic sound Mick is and was the one who brought the spieit into the band's music wish they would do what so many other bands of the 80's have done and reformed the line up Mick Mel back the fact that he or Mel was not included in the Simple Minds Documentary was and is criminal
I listen to this several times a week. Actually get quite emotional and brings back fond memories of earlier times and what an integral part of my life Simple Minds have been, namely Mick’s haunting keyboards. 57 years young now and this piece still gives me goosebumps. Maybe more-so with the keyboard isolated.
You're an absolutely brilliant and inspiring musician Mick! I still love the albums of Simple Minds you played on the most. Since you left Simple Minds it never has been the same, unfortunately... To me the last good album was Street Fighting Years, a real musical jewel, so musical and atmospheric. You were responsible for the typical Simple Minds-sound which was such a good and lovely sound. We miss you with Simple Minds Mick !
Michael ..this song and playing ...its goosebumps stuff , i heard you speaking recently about this song pretty much arriving fully formed at the demo stage and its that sense of structure and sense of timing that marked out Street Fighting Years song and album. SM lost something the day you left . Jim talks of a disaster for the band . I think it was way more than that . I think your wonderful vision and ambition meant that Jim and Charlie's horizons were narrowed the day you said Amsterdam was'nt for you Wonderful , what a great legacy you have left
Bellissima, un tempo c'era un sogno che si chiamava Simple minds.. grande Mick 😊, i vostri album hanno fatto sognare molte generazioni (spero ad una Réunion ..un giorno🙏)
There was a depth and richness to Minds music when Mick was there that cannot be replaced. Piano/keyboard went from being the centrepiece to an afterthought. That rich piano sound was what brought me to Simple Minds in the first place. Nothing's been the same since SFY.
i think you just summed it all up,in words i just couldnt put my finger on,when trying to explain why simple minds stood out from all the others back then.As a young teenager,it just sounded like the music of the future to me.
Thanks for your kind words. This tune is very dear to me, and this version fills me with pride. It was played late one night when thoughts of days gone past came over me, playing this melody brought it all back for a moment. MM x
Love this Mick, SFY is such an achievement as a record, the chord progressions, the subtle touches and the whole structure. It has an ageless beauty. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for sharing this song, Mick. Back in the eighties I always tried to isolate mentally your keyboard parts. I always had the impression that there was much more behind the group arrangements and I'm so grateful to hear this beautiful melody now as a solo version.
Just been to see the band this time around last time I saw them was street fighting years tour when you were still them couldn’t help but think how great it would have been to have you back on the UK leg of the tour 😢 as it wasn’t the same affect without u!
Seeing the old line up with Mick, Derek and Brian is a bucket lister for me, and that it will remain, it seems lol! Thanks for the amazing music over the years!!
I was in Verona in 1992 and since then I have seen a lot of concerts, but that one still remain in my heart, it was fantastic, all the members of the band played in a such terrific way, from Mel, to Malcolm, Charlie, Jim of course, but you with your keyboards touched my heart, Waterfront, Street Fighting Years but above all east at Easter was the TOP!!! Thank you very much Mick for all the music have you played for us...... God bless you.....
Have listened to this so many times Mick. It evokes the nostalgia of the late 80s when as a 19 year old growing up in South Africa I recall the role SFY and Simple Minds played. To this very day, every time I listen to SFY, it has your signature all over it. I never got to see you play live with SM as you’d already left when they first came to SA but just know that everything you and SM did for us growing up in those times will never be forgotten and has been etched in the eons of time to come. Thank you.
Simply ...thank you dear Mick. For the "past",present and "future". I( we) miss you so much. You,Derek and Mel will be Simple Minds for ever. Greetings and big hug from Italy, from a fan since 1983. Ciao
hey mick, many thx for unforgettable memories of my life. I saw you and the band live a 5 times from 1985 to 1991 (2 x Munich, Vienna, Innsbruck. Füssen). Its true the band is the half without you. "In the city of light" was my first CD i bought and its until today on of the best live gigs i ever saw, and i saw a lot ;). So thank you again for one of my best times and moments in my live, i wish you the best and may health, joy and Contentment be with you.
Cheers Ray, much appreciate your comments. It was a good sounding live CD, spend a lot of time in the studio getting that sound, lol. And much happiness to you and your faminly. MM x
Ich habe am 9. November 1989 auf der Loreley das Konzert der Simple Minds miterleben dürfen. Es bis heute das schönste Konzert, was ich jemals gesehen/ gehört habe. Danke Mick für dieses schöne Erlebnis!❤
So grateful for growing up in the 80s and 90s , this is pure genius and takes me away to a different world. I wore my street fighting years cassette out listening to this, Mick you are a genius 👏
I hear this everyday as I set this as my alarm clock. So good to wake up too as I just let it play,so I can just register in still in this world. 🎹🎶✌️♥️
Been listening to a lot of your stuff lately Mick, including the excellent Rob Johnson interview. I had genuinely forgotten what a massive contribution you had not only made to the SM sound but how your music also resonates with me. Its beyond magical. Thank you so much. Hope one day you do the magical intro to book of brilliant things from the live in the city of light album, as that is a permanent fixture on my playlist.
This is a real gift. If you can spare the time, the world in general, and fans and keyboardists in particular, would probably love some quick and dirty play throughs of all your tracks in this format. I know I would love it. Simple Minds was a treasure for me growing up. I'd go to the record store every week and "S" for "Simple Minds" was always my first stop to see if there was something I didn't have.
Sad, in a good way though😊 I bought SFY on vinyl with money I saved from a paper round. It was played almost constantly. I still listen to it, and all the other earlier albums with great memories. Absolute halcyon days of growing up in the 80’s.😊@@mickmacneil1
One of my favorite songs.. Thanks for sharing this Mick. And most of all: thanks for being such an important part of Simple Minds. Your music brought great joy to my life ❤
Mick was really the key element of SM: composition, aranging, sound. No Mick no party...sorry Ps Mel and the 3 bassists of the 80s took SM rythmic session to another level too!
Absolutely love every effing second of this man. Is there no slightest little chance of rejoining? I was just too young to see you guys earlier than 1990-something. We are here only once… Hope!
I did'nt realise it was 9 years and for real mates , that's a long long time . I think that it does underline how central Charlie felt McNeill was and how crucial his leaving could be . I think that trademark-like indelible imprint of sound is Mick's creation - the bigness , the anthemic quality , the Euro element in the early years , the pop element in the mid-80s and the gritty and authentic even dare i unplugged element on SFY . Its all there . Good man Mick ...incredible musician
i would love to hear you play "east at easter" like you did in Verona 89 on your Kawai ♥................................................................................................... PLEASE!
The band has lost it`s signature mysterious sound without this guy. I have seen them four times , twice with him and twice after him. First two were two of the best gigs I`ve ever been to. No Mel now either. Saw them in Manchester last month , a nice revisit after decades but I really went for Del Amitri as support. Was a great night but The two Street fighting years tour gigs (Roundhay park and Birmingham NEC) were epic nights. Saw them in 91 at Manchester Maine road on Real life tour without Mick and the difference was noticeable. A good gig but not as brilliant as 89 Tour. Hope he rejoins them. I would go again. One of the great bands , better than U2 for me.
Just want to say thank you to a real star and top gent. He bothered to take time out from a meal he was having with his family in a restaurant in Glasgow on Saturday night, and speak to me whilst on the next table. He'd noticed my Simple Minds shirt and tapped me on the shoulder to ask if I was going to the gig. Then spent some time talking to me, and allowed a photo after my son asked. Really made my night! Great SM gig, and that was the icing on the cake. Thanks again Mick, love your music, pure genius.
It was lovely to meet you all. You were all so polite. MM x
Missing you mick u r ur own man, Glasgow,is so PROUD OF YOU.X
A simple Minds fan since 1983 and from the day he left we lost our melodic sound Mick is and was the one who brought the spieit into the band's music wish they would do what so many other bands of the 80's have done and reformed the line up Mick Mel back the fact that he or Mel was not included in the Simple Minds Documentary was and is criminal
I listen to this several times a week. Actually get quite emotional and brings back fond memories of earlier times and what an integral part of my life Simple Minds have been, namely Mick’s haunting keyboards.
57 years young now and this piece still gives me goosebumps. Maybe more-so with the keyboard isolated.
Aw, thanks Sean. MM x
You're an absolutely brilliant and inspiring musician Mick! I still love the albums of Simple Minds you played on the most. Since you left Simple Minds it never has been the same, unfortunately... To me the last good album was Street Fighting Years, a real musical jewel, so musical and atmospheric. You were responsible for the typical Simple Minds-sound which was such a good and lovely sound. We miss you with Simple Minds Mick !
Agree with every word of that. Mick is a phenomenal keyboard player. Love to see him & Derek back in the band
absolutely! I like the keyboard-songs played by Mick the most !
We miss you Mick. Your the best. Kind regards Fred van Engelen
Michael ..this song and playing ...its goosebumps stuff , i heard you speaking recently about this song pretty much arriving fully formed at the demo stage and its that sense of structure and sense of timing that marked out Street Fighting Years song and album. SM lost something the day you left . Jim talks of a disaster for the band . I think it was way more than that . I think your wonderful vision and ambition meant that Jim and Charlie's horizons were narrowed the day you said Amsterdam was'nt for you
Wonderful , what a great legacy you have left
This fantastic melody in this piano version gives me goosebumps. So beautiful.
🤜❤️🤛
Bellissima, un tempo c'era un sogno che si chiamava Simple minds.. grande Mick 😊, i vostri album hanno fatto sognare molte generazioni (spero ad una Réunion ..un giorno🙏)
There was a depth and richness to Minds music when Mick was there that cannot be replaced. Piano/keyboard went from being the centrepiece to an afterthought. That rich piano sound was what brought me to Simple Minds in the first place. Nothing's been the same since SFY.
i think you just summed it all up,in words i just couldnt put my finger on,when trying to explain why simple minds stood out from all the others back then.As a young teenager,it just sounded like the music of the future to me.
Thanks for your kind words. This tune is very dear to me, and this version fills me with pride. It was played late one night when thoughts of days gone past came over me, playing this melody brought it all back for a moment. MM x
Mick, This now wakes me up every morning as my alarm clock inspiring music !!
Love this Mick, SFY is such an achievement as a record, the chord progressions, the subtle touches and the whole structure. It has an ageless beauty. Thanks for sharing this.
Absolutely beautiful Mick ❤
Thank you Mick for your genius - soundtrack to my life..
Thanks for sharing this song, Mick. Back in the eighties I always tried to isolate mentally your keyboard parts. I always had the impression that there was much more behind the group arrangements and I'm so grateful to hear this beautiful melody now as a solo version.
Brilliant Mick.Classic minds.👌
Mick, this has to be one of your finest pieces of work, utterly brilliant and I can’t stop listening to it, thank you ❤
Takes me back to standing in a field in Leeds....when this was played i could have cried....just beautiful
Love your music and playing. Pure feeling ❤ thank you, Mick
Just been to see the band this time around last time I saw them was street fighting years tour when you were still them couldn’t help but think how great it would have been to have you back on the UK leg of the tour 😢 as it wasn’t the same affect without u!
Simple Minds have never been the same since you left mate. The best sounds were when you were weaving your magic. Love, respect & gratitude 🙏
🫵🥰 AMEN‼️
Simple Minds 79-82 best band on the planet, " micks piano on "Street fighting years " is a joy! .@muzicaempathica6479
Seeing the old line up with Mick, Derek and Brian is a bucket lister for me, and that it will remain, it seems lol! Thanks for the amazing music over the years!!
The signature sound of early Simple Minds, utterly brilliant.
The intensity of this song brings strong emotions to the heart, thanks again for these immense melodies.
Chills🤗... Always remember this opening the set on the 1989 SFY tour ❤️
When spirits rise then the curtains dropped the the intro for SFY.. superb
I was in Verona in 1992 and since then I have seen a lot of concerts, but that one still remain in my heart, it was fantastic, all the members of the band played in a such terrific way, from Mel, to Malcolm, Charlie, Jim of course, but you with your keyboards touched my heart, Waterfront, Street Fighting Years but above all east at Easter was the TOP!!! Thank you very much Mick for all the music have you played for us...... God bless you.....
maybe you mean 1989 ;)
Love you Mick. Your music made me fly and pretend keyboard on my legs. You are so talented.
really beautiful, got goosebumps. must have been fantastic playing it at the Arena in Verona in 1989!
beautiful. I could listen to this song for hours. Thank you Mr. MacNeil
Un genio!
Have listened to this so many times Mick. It evokes the nostalgia of the late 80s when as a 19 year old growing up in South Africa I recall the role SFY and Simple Minds played. To this very day, every time I listen to SFY, it has your signature all over it. I never got to see you play live with SM as you’d already left when they first came to SA but just know that everything you and SM did for us growing up in those times will never be forgotten and has been etched in the eons of time to come. Thank you.
So beautiful. A concerto of the time. The heart behind a masterpiece of a song. Thank you for this. Thank you for Mick MacNeil.
Simply ...thank you dear Mick. For the "past",present and "future". I( we) miss you so much. You,Derek and Mel will be Simple Minds for ever. Greetings and big hug from Italy, from a fan since 1983. Ciao
This is my favorite track off SFY album. This keyboard is just magical and incredibly moving
hey mick, many thx for unforgettable memories of my life. I saw you and the band live a 5 times from 1985 to 1991 (2 x Munich, Vienna, Innsbruck. Füssen). Its true the band is the half without you. "In the city of light" was my first CD i bought and its until today on of the best live gigs i ever saw, and i saw a lot ;). So thank you again for one of my best times and moments in my live, i wish you the best and may health, joy and Contentment be with you.
Cheers Ray, much appreciate your comments. It was a good sounding live CD, spend a lot of time in the studio getting that sound, lol. And much happiness to you and your faminly. MM x
Ich habe am 9. November 1989 auf der Loreley das Konzert der Simple Minds miterleben dürfen. Es bis heute das schönste Konzert, was ich jemals gesehen/ gehört habe. Danke Mick für dieses schöne Erlebnis!❤
Ich war auch da 😊
Beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful. You are a total legend Mick!
A wonderful song performed by an incredible musician! You have been such a great influence on my music over the years. Thank you so much!
Mick, I could listen to you playing everyday, it’s so calming to my soul.
Mick, you're a great musician! With Charlie, you're the sound of simple minds
Brilliant ❤ simple minds will never be the same since you and Mel and the bass player in the sky have gone x
beautiful song, great musician
Brings back those memories of an amazing day! Thanks for sharing your photos.
Che meraviglia Mick. Grazie❤️❤️
Quite possibly the single most beautiful piece of music in Simple Minds' back catalogue
So grateful for growing up in the 80s and 90s , this is pure genius and takes me away to a different world. I wore my street fighting years cassette out listening to this, Mick you are a genius 👏
You are core to that Simple Minds sound,such creativity & talent,you are sorely missed.
Such a lovely piece of music stripped right back, I can listen to this every day, Thanks for Mick....
You are a genius, a brilliant musician, I wish you were back with jim and Charlie, make it happen boys
thanks for filling my teen years with the kindness of your pianos and pads and your uniqque gentle touch while playing. So inspiring. Respect.
Beautiful mick truly beautiful.. again thank you for the music and the memories of the best time of my life coming to see you and the band
I hear this everyday as I set this as my alarm clock.
So good to wake up too as I just let it play,so I can just register in still in this world. 🎹🎶✌️♥️
Just beautiful
THANK YOU Mr.MICK MCNEIL FOR THE WONDERFUL JOURNEY....👏👏🌷👏👏
Thanks for this Mick... It stirs the sweet gold memories of bygone times, when I was in my teens in the 80s.
Great times with You 🎉
amazing, tears running down my face- such an amazing melody
Saw you at Roundhay Park on this tour 1989 it was amazing thank you for the memories mick
I was at that gig - probably the best concert I've ever been to, despite nearly dying of heat stroke :)
Amazing 😊
Píosa ceoil álainn ❤️I always loved your piano solos Mick.I could listen to you play all day . Wonderful.
Mick, just love all you play, my dear mum always admired Simple Minds music it’s so peaceful and calming to listen to
Happy Birthday to you Mick. Have a nice day. Kind regards Fred van Engelen
The one and only Michael MacNeil, genius ❤
Crystalline beautiful, like a flower unfolding. The last authentic SM album. Thank you for posting!
Thanks Mr MacNeil
Been listening to a lot of your stuff lately Mick, including the excellent Rob Johnson interview.
I had genuinely forgotten what a massive contribution you had not only made to the SM sound but how your music also resonates with me.
Its beyond magical.
Thank you so much.
Hope one day you do the magical intro to book of brilliant things from the live in the city of light album, as that is a permanent fixture on my playlist.
la canzone PIù bella della mia vita.Grazie Mick. è stupenda questa versione solista.
Bloody brilliant. Thank you.
Amazing 🤩 ❤loving it thanks Mick you never lost this Midas touch on keyboards .
Currently sitting the other side of Loch Earn by St Fillans watching this video and feeling great in admiration, Thank you.
Stunning mm” I agree sadly nothing was the same once you left” a genius you are !
Absolutely sublime 👍
This is a real gift. If you can spare the time, the world in general, and fans and keyboardists in particular, would probably love some quick and dirty play throughs of all your tracks in this format. I know I would love it.
Simple Minds was a treasure for me growing up. I'd go to the record store every week and "S" for "Simple Minds" was always my first stop to see if there was something I didn't have.
Please do more of these videos 🙏🏼 it’s amazing seeing you playing such classic tunes!
Absolutely love this, makes me very sad tho❤️
Why is that? Just a simple little tune.
Sad, in a good way though😊
I bought SFY on vinyl with money I saved from a paper round. It was played almost constantly. I still listen to it, and all the other earlier albums with great memories. Absolute halcyon days of growing up in the 80’s.😊@@mickmacneil1
@@mickmacneil1 Haha mick it’s an epic piece of music.
One of my favorite songs.. Thanks for sharing this Mick. And most of all: thanks for being such an important part of Simple Minds. Your music brought great joy to my life ❤
Your special touch is missed! You offer more than technical ability. The connection comes from your soul!
Brilliant
Fabulous musician
Incredible. Thank you ❤
mick mac neil is the best il restera a jamais le meilleur clavieriste de simple minds personne est a la hauteur
Happy Birthday Mick......🎹🎶✌️♥️
E P I C !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lunga vita Mike🎉
Mick was really the key element of SM: composition, aranging, sound. No Mick no party...sorry
Ps
Mel and the 3 bassists of the 80s took SM rythmic session to another level too!
Absolutely love every effing second of this man. Is there no slightest little chance of rejoining? I was just too young to see you guys earlier than 1990-something. We are here only once…
Hope!
I doubt it, but you never can tell.
Thanks for asking the one simple minds question that's always been on my mind since he left the band at the end of the Street Fighting Years tour.
@@jamieholmes4675
Well, hope is the least we can do right?😂😉
Magnificent
Il migliore con lui erano i migliori gruppo grandi SIMPLE MIMDS
Maravilloso
Operatic is the word i use to describe this. It's an incredible track. So many layers.
Here's comes a hurricane....
I now know why Charlie didn't speak to you for 9yrs. SM died when you left.
I did'nt realise it was 9 years and for real mates , that's a long long time . I think that it does underline how central Charlie felt McNeill was and how crucial his leaving could be . I think that trademark-like indelible imprint of sound is Mick's creation - the bigness , the anthemic quality , the Euro element in the early years , the pop element in the mid-80s and the gritty and authentic even dare i unplugged element on SFY . Its all there . Good man Mick ...incredible musician
Simple Minds = Derek, Mick, Charlie, Mel & Jim. As simple as that and nothing else !
A big part of Charlie left. You two worked together as one! I perceive him to be a sensitive fellow and a piece of his heart was removed.
so gorgeous, what a composer
grandissimo
Sublime
Magic
Great times
The j giblin composition made me realise that if Charlie added his piece it could have been the minds journey on the level it used to be.
Simples are simply not Simple minds without you and Derek.
correct
i would love to hear you play "east at easter" like you did in Verona 89 on your Kawai ♥................................................................................................... PLEASE!