Mick Hucknall

British singer Mick Hucknall created a smooth blend of pop and blue-eyed soul that catapulted his band, Simply Red, into the international mainstream. Born in Manchester in 1960, Hucknall debuted Simply Red with the 1985 single "Holding Back the Years" and album Picture Book. Both proved to be worldwide hits, effectively launching the group's long streak of successes (many of which were cover songs). While the group's audience in America tapered off during the early '90s, Simply Red remained quite popular at home, issuing the most popular album of 1991 (Stars) and remaining on the U.K. charts during the '90s and 2000s. In 2008, Hucknall issued a genuine solo effort, covering the songs of bluesman Bobby "Blue" Bland on Tribute to Bobby. ~ Andrew Leahey