Jim Kerr

Scottish musician, a singer and co-founder of the punk group "Simple Minds" along with Michael MacNeil and Derek Forbes, 1978. In the mid-1980s, they contributed "Don’t You (Forget About Me)" to the soundtrack of the John Hughes movie "The Breakfast Club." This song, which rocketed to number one on the charts in the United States and became a massive international hit, brought the group worldwide recognition.

In 1977, Kerr formed his first band, "Johnny and the Self Abusers," which later led to the more successful "Simple Minds." They signed with the Zoom label and debuted with the release of the single, "Life In a Day," breaking the UK Top 50 in March 1979. Known for his deep, reedy voice, Kerr became one of the top 50 most-wealthy British musicians. Known for his uncompromising views, he managed to avoid the rock ’n’ roll pitfalls of sex and drugs. Kerr is an avid reader, with favorites such as Alvin Tofler’s "Future Shock" and the "Bhagavad Gita," and says music and people are his main interests. Despite being deemed a commercial failure, the group continues to release albums, most recently 1995’s "Good News From the Next World."

In 1984, he married Chrissie Hynde of "The Pretenders," but the rigors of touring disrupted their relationship, and they divorced. He has one son, James, with his second wife, Patsy Kensit; they are divorced as well.