Editing Simple Minds (section)

===Early years (1977–1979)===
Simple Minds originated from the [[punk rock|punk]] band Johnny & The Self-Abusers, formed in early 1977 on [[Glasgow#South Side|Glasgow's South Side]],<ref name="Larkin"/> as the brainchild of Alan Cairnduff. Cairnduff left the organisation of the band to John Milarky, suggesting that he enlist two strangers, singer and lyricist [[Jim Kerr]] and guitarist [[Charlie Burchill]]. Kerr and Burchill, who had been acquainted since age eight, roped in their school friends [[Brian McGee (drummer)|Brian McGee]] and Tony Donald to play drums and bass respectively. Milarky served as singer, guitarist and saxophonist, and recruited his friend Allan McNeill to be the band's third guitarist. Kerr doubled on keyboards, and Burchill also played violin.<ref name=sm-genesis>{{cite web |title=Simple Minds Genesis & Formation |url=https://www.simpleminds.com/1977/04/05/simple-minds-genesis-formation/ |website=Simpleminds.com |access-date=23 June 2024}}</ref> 

On 11 April 1977, Johnny & The Self-Abusers held their first performance at the Doune Castle pub in Glasgow, following up two weeks later as the opening act for [[Generation X (band)|Generation X]] in Edinburgh. They performed concerts in Glasgow over the ensuing summer, but a split developed in the band, with Milarky and McNeill forming one faction and the other consisting of Kerr, Donald, Burchill and McGee;<ref name=sm-genesis/> {{cns|date=June 2024|at the same time, Milarky's compositions were being edged out in favour of those of Kerr and Burchill.}} In November 1977, Johnny & The Self-Abusers released their only single, "Saints and Sinners", on [[Chiswick Records]] (which was dismissed as being "rank and file" in a ''Melody Maker'' review). The band split on the same day that the single was released, with Milarky and McNeill going on to form The Cuban Heels. Ditching the stage names and the overt punkiness, the remaining members continued together as Simple Minds (naming themselves after a [[David Bowie]] lyric from his song "[[Jean Genie]]"),<ref name=simpleminds.com/> making their very first performance at Glasgow's Satellite City on 17 January 1978.<ref name="simpleminds.com Act Of Love" />

In January 1978, Simple Minds recruited Duncan Barnwell as a second guitarist (allowing for an optional two-guitar line-up while also enabling Burchill to play violin). Meanwhile, Kerr had abandoned keyboards to concentrate entirely on vocals. In March 1978, Kerr, Burchill, Donald, Barnwell and McGee were joined by the [[Isle of Barra|Barra]]-born keyboard player [[Mick MacNeil]]. The band got a residency at the Mars Bar in Glasgow and played various other venues in Scotland<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.setlist.fm/search?artist=73d6ba71&query=tour:%281978+Mars+Bar+Residency%29 |title=Simple Minds 1978 Mars Bar residency |publisher=setlist.fm }}</ref> and rapidly established a reputation as an exciting live act (usually performing in full makeup). Tony Donald quit in April 1978 and was replaced by Duncan Barnwell's friend Derek Forbes (formerly the bass player with The Subs). In May 1978 Simple Minds recorded their first [[demo (music)|demo tape]], including "Chelsea Girl" and some other tracks that would appear on their debut album.<ref name="DT">Dave Thomas ''Simple Minds Glittering Prize'' [[Omnibus Press]] 1985, p.17-23</ref> The group were turned down by record companies, but gained a management deal with Bruce Findlay, owner of the Bruce's Records chain of record shops and the [[Zoom Records (Scotland)|Zoom Records]] label.<ref name="DT" />  Championed by his journalist friend Brian Hogg, Findlay was persuaded to sign Simple Minds to his Zoom label which had a licensing deal with [[Arista Records]].<ref name="DT" /> In November 1978, Barnwell was ousted from the band.<ref name="DT" /> 

From 1979 through until 1981, Simple Minds would continue as a quintet of Kerr, Burchill, MacNeil, Forbes and McGee, operating as a tight-knit collective. Subsequent line-up changes would shrink and diminish this core band, with only founder members being considered to be full members of the creative and compositional team.