- published: 23 Jan 2010
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James "Jim" Kerr (born 9 July 1959) is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter, best known as lead singer of the rock band Simple Minds, who achieved five UK No. 1 albums and a No. 1 single "Ballad of the Streets EP". He released his first solo album, Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr, on 27 May 2010. Kerr's voice has been described as "David Bowie's rich baritone melded with Bryan Ferry's velvety croon".
Born in Toryglen, Glasgow with Irish ancestry, Kerr attended Holyrood R.C. Secondary School there. In 1977, he was one of the founding members of the 6-piece punk rock band Johnny and the Self Abusers. Calling himself Pripton Weird, he played keyboards and shared vocals with John Milarky. Allan McNeill was also involved with the band, and went on to be the manager of the Pop band Hue and Cry. The band lasted 8 months, during which time Kerr emerged as one of the main songwriters. In November 1977 they changed their name to Simple Minds, quickly reduced to 4 members, then increased to 5, then 6, then back to 5 before a period of stability ensued.
Some say this is a dangerous place, Searchlight circles around this space Men disappear without a trace Welcome to this world Some say this is a criminal world No chance to be a boy or girl Can't believe it was all so well then it all got blown apart
In this town you need a bulletproof heart In this town you need a bulletproof heart
Some say this is a dangerous land Not the way the dream was planned Got strangled by the hidden hand It's not the dream at all
In this town you need a bulletproof heart In this town you need a bulletproof, shatterproof heart
Watch your step don't open the door Watch your lips don't say it anymore Watch your step, get your knees of the floor, Walk out the door
Is there no way from here? Somesay that the night will clear And we'll be gone, all from here And we'll never once look back