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charlie burchill
musician: guitar/violin
birthday: 27th November 1959

associated with band: 1975 -

Charlie in 1977

Life In A Day photoshot

Real To Real Cacophony photoshoot

Empires And Dance photoshoot

Sons And Fascination photoshoot

He first met Jim Kerr in a sandpit on a Glasgow housing estate, aged 8.

His elder brother, Jamie Burchill, was the neighbourhood superstar, being the first to pierce his ear, first to dye his hair. Through Jamie, Charlie was able to listen to music not regularly played on the radio.

He eventually ended up at Holyrood Catholic School with Jim, Brian and Tony. They started to swap and sell records, and formed their first band, Biba-Rom!.

He learned to play guitar with his brother, after his mother purchased a guitar through a cigarette coupon scheme. He also learned the violin, which became his favourite instrument.

He sometimes skipped school, along with Jim, to see bands play at the Glasgow Apollo.

After leaving school, he hitchhiked around Europe with Jim, making it as far as Italy.

In 1977, he became on of the founder members of Johnny And The Self Abusers, playing guitar and emerging as one of the band’s main composers. Surviving the split after the release of their first single, he continued with Jim, Brian and Tony in Simple Minds.

He was the main songwriter for their first album along with Jim.




discography
Johnny And The Self Abuser 7 Life In A Day 7 Life In A Day LP Chelsea Girl 7 Real To Real Cacophony LP Changeling 7 Empires And Dance LP I Travel 7 Celebrate 7 The American 7 Love Song 7 Sons And Fascination LP Sisters Feeling Call LP Sweat In Bullet 7 Theme For Great Cities LP I Travel 7 Celebration LP Promised You A Miracle 7




family tree

Biba-Rom!
Johnny And The Self Abusers
Simple Minds #1
Simple Minds #2
Simple Minds #3
Simple Minds #4
Simple Minds #5
Simple Minds #6
Simple Minds #7
Simple Minds #8
Simple Minds #9
Simple Minds #10




live appearances

Johnny And The Self Abusers
Simple Minds 1978
Life In A Day tour
Real To Real Cacophony tour
Empires And Dance 1980 tour
Empires And Dance 1981 tour
Sons And Fascination 1981 tour
Sons And Fascination 1982 tour