Charlie Burchill

Charles Burchill (born 27 November 1959)[1] is a Scottish musician and composer, best known as the guitarist of Simple Minds. He is one of the founders of the group.[2]

Charlie Burchill
Charlie Burchill in 2018
Charlie Burchill in 2018
Background information
Birth nameCharles Burchill
Born (1959-11-27) 27 November 1959
OriginGlasgow, Scotland
GenresRock, post-punk, new wave, pop rock, alternative rock
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, keyboard, violin, mandolin, saxophone, percussion, vocals
Years active1977–present

Style

During Simple Minds' early to mid-1980s period, Burchill's guitar had a distinctive and atmospheric sound not dissimilar to Echo & the Bunnymen's Will Sergeant. Making heavy use of effects such as delay and chorus, his playing often provided subtle textures behind the band's more drum- and bass-propelled songs. This style was most apparent on 1982's New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84).[3] From 1983's album Sparkle in the Rain onwards the group evolved a different style, bringing Burchill's playing more into the foreground.[4]

As well as providing guitar, Burchill played the violin and saxophone on the band's first three studio albums and took over most studio keyboard duties following the 1989 departure of Mick MacNeil. Burchill with lead singer Jim Kerr are the only original members of the band still performing.

Equipment
Burchill playing a Gibson Les Paul in February 2015

Burchill has been playing a Gretsch White Falcon since the early 1980s. He also has a modern one in Black, and a number of 1969 Gibson Les Pauls. As of 2017 he uses Matchless amplifiers.[5]

References
  1. Davis, Sharon (2012). 80s Chart-Toppers: Every Chart-Topper Tells a Story. Random House. ISBN 9781780574110.
  2. Cornwell, Simon. "dream giver redux - family tree - simple minds #1". www.simpleminds.org.
  3. David Fricke (14 April 1983). "Album Review New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  4. allmusic ((( Sparkle in the Rain > Overview )))
  5. Mead, David (1 September 2017). "One for the road: Simple Minds' Charlie Burchill". Music Radar. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
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