MEL GAYNOR is best known as the long time drummer for the rock band SIMPLE MINDS.

 

Now undertaking drum and vocal duties with his new rock trio the album is written and produced by MEL himself. After leaving the band SAMSON, MEL joined SIMPLE MINDS in 1982 as a session drummer for the NEW GOLD DREAM album playing on 6 of the 9 tracks. He later joined the band permanently for the NEW GOLD DREAM tour. Exept for a period (1992 – 97) away from the band after the REAL LIFE tour of 1991-92 and remained the SIMPLE MINDS drummer until 2017.

 

MEL began drumming at the age of 11 and had his first professional engagement at the age of 14.

 

In addition to drumming, he is active as a songwriter and record producer.

 

GAYNOR considers THE ROLLING STONES, LED ZEPPELIN, JIMI HENDRIX and JAMES BROWN to be his main influences.

 

In addition to SIMPLE MINDS he has played along aside other acts such as ELTON JOHN, LOU REED, TINA TURNER, MEAT LOAF, MANGO, KIRSTY MacCOLL, THE ASSOCIATES, ORANGE JUICE, PETER GABRIEL, THE PRETENDERS, GARY MOORE, JACKSON BROWNE, LITTLE STEVEN, BRIAN MAY, THE NOLANS, GOLDIE, ROBERT PALMER, JOAN ARMATRADING and LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

 

MEL was also a member of the Birmingham based band MUSCLES, a funk oriented covers band that had minor chart success with IF IT RELAXES YOUR MIND and I’M A GIRL WATCHER.