An Evening with Simple Minds' Derek Forbes

Join us in the bookshop for an evening with Simple Minds legend Derek Forbes.

Known for his iconic spine-rattling riffs, Derek Forbes has established himself on the international stage as a song-writing, bass-playing powerhouse. His autobiography has been long-awaited and we are absolutely delighted to host him as part of our Spring Literary Festival.

A Very Simple Mind

'...beneath the distinctive interplay between guitar and keyboards there was a powerful engine with a deep, punchy bass line driving the music forward. Enter Derek Forbes!' Peter Walsh, award-winning record producer.

Derek Forbes started his musical career as a lead guitarist but soon changed to bass guitarist. He is known for those iconic spine-rattling bass riffs which we recognise in most Simple Minds' songs and he wrote and co-wrote many of the band's earliest classics. Derek is also well-known on the international stage as songwriter and bassist for Big Country and Propaganda and has recorded with Iggy Pop, David Bowie, Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Kirsty MacColl. He won an Ivor Novello Award for 'Outstanding Song Collection' in 2016 for his song writing for Simple Minds, voted best bass player in the World 1982 and best- bass player from Scotland in 2010. He still lives in Glasgow and is planning his next tour.