Music critics like to point to English easy-pop band Simply Red as a textbook example of the difference between American and European taste in popular music. International stars all over the rest of the globe, in America their reputation hovers somewhere between a cult following and one hit wonder status. But back home, they've led a long and diverse career, beginning life as a ragged punk band with a soulful side, then blossoming into a white R&B band with sophisticated lounge arrangements and even aspirations to dance floor relevance. Legend has it that main singer/songwriter Mick Hucknall was inspired to form a band in 1976, after being blown away at a Sex Pistols gig while studying as an art student in Manchester. He rounded up some friends and started a punk outfit of his own, The Frantic Elevators. The Frantic Elevators actually lasted for seven years, releasing one notable single-"Holding Back the Years." Eventually the band broke up frustrated, but Hucknall stuck with manager and friend Elliot Rashman and, in 1985, they gathered a group of session musicians to bring life to Hucknall's musical ideas. Though often retaining a lineup for several years, Simply Red-named after Hucknall's hair, leftist politics and favorite soccer team-would essentially be a solo project aided by a rotating cast of musicians. Their biggest original hit came off their UK debut, Picture Book, released in '85. They reworked The Frantic Elevator's "Holding Back the Years" and scored a #1 hit in the US. Simply Red have always been noted for their R&B and soul covers and they've scored subsequent hits with "Money's Too Tight (To Mention,)" "It's Only Love" and Harold Melvin's "If You Don't Know Me By Now."
You must be 18 or older in order to participate in the following states: Florida
By clicking the button above, you acknowledge that you are the account holder for the cell phone number entered and you expressly agree to these terms as well as the Thumbplay Terms & Conditions of Use Agreement and Privacy Policy.
Thumbplay Subscription Terms: Not all carriers support the Thumbplay service and you must be a customer of a supported carrier to subscribe. A phone with an Internet-enabled and SMS-enabled (short message service) account is required. Your password will be sent to your phone when you click the button above. After entering your password, you will be subscribed to Thumbplay and automatically charged $9.99 each month on your mobile phone bill, or deducted from your prepaid balance for 10 credits each month until such time as you cancel your subscription. Monthly credits expire at the end of each month and may not be rolled over into the following month. New subscribers will receive 10 bonus credits for use during the first month, as well as up to 4 additional credits to cover the cost of the first download. This offer is only available to first time customers of Thumbplay and can not be combined with any other offer. Message and data rates may apply for subscriptions, promotional text messages, and account related text messages. Taxes may also apply.
You may receive your password confirmation text message multiple times until you complete the sign-up process. If you would like to stop receiving the password confirmation text messages, please email us at passwordsms@thumbplay.com.
You may cancel your Thumbplay subscription by sending the words STOP from your mobile device to 48000 or by contacting us via email. Please direct all email inquiries to support@thumbplay.com. You may also call 1-877-THUMB-99 (1-877-848-6299) for questions regarding your account.
Thumbplay One-Time Purchase Terms: In certain instances, in lieu of a subscription you may have the opportunity to make a one-time purchase. In such case, the purchase price (from $0.99 to $5.99 per content item) for the content item you select will be charged to your mobile phone bill, or deducted from your prepaid balance. All messages and Content to Verizon Wireless customers will come from 48000. For information about single item purchases, text HELP to 21453. Text STOP to 21453 to stop messaging. (Verizon Wireless customers text to 48000). Message and data rates may apply. Taxes may also apply.
Games are not currently supported for Verizon Wireless customers.
By subscribing or making a one-time purchase from Thumbplay you expressly agree to receive promotional and account related communications by SMS and email, including our weekly newsletter. You may stop receiving promotional SMS text messages by clicking here and you may stop receiving promotional emails by clicking here.
Thumbplay ringtones and Thumbplay mobile ringtones are compatible with most current Motorola, Nokia, LG, Samsung, Panasonic and Sony Ericsson mobile/cell phones. Supported carriers include AT&T, T-Mobile®, Alltel, and Verizon Wireless.
On your phone visit m.thumbplay.com