Mel Gaynor (Simple Minds, Elton John) Interview: Broken Gear & 'Don't You (Forget About Me)'

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We sat down with the iconic Mel Gaynor at the UK Drum Show 2025 to reflect on his storied 38-year tenure with Simple Minds. Mel dives into the unique challenge of drumming and singing simultaneously - a skill he embraced later in his career - and shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from recording with Elton John, the effect 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' had on him and the rest of the band. He also gives us a glimpse into life on the road, including just how many cymbals, sticks, and drumheads he’d blast through during a high-energy tour.

00:05 - Early chat & grandson’s drumming
01:05 - Introduction & joining Simple Minds
03:30 - Early days with the band
06:10 - Breakthrough & “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”
10:20 - Recording process & studio stories
14:45 - Live performances & touring life
19:30 - Working with other artists (incl. Elton John)
23:40 - Gear talk & drum setup
27:50 - Challenges, mistakes & lessons learned
32:10 - Advice for young drummers & closing thoughts

#melgaynor #simpleminds #ukdrumshow 

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