Michael James Hucknall was born on the 8th June 1960, in Manchester, England, and is a musician, singer and songwriter who is widely known as the founder and frontman of British pop/soul music band – Simply Red, which sold over 50 million album copies worldwide.
Have you ever wondered how much wealth this successful musician has accumulated so far? How rich Mick Hucknall is? According to sources, it is estimated that the total of Mick Hucknall’s net worth, as of mid-2017, exceeds the sum of $60 million, including assets such as Glenmore Estate in County Donegal, Ulster, Ireland, from which he operates his tourism business. It has mostly been acquired through his musical career, which currently spans almost 40 years.
Mick Hucknall Net Worth $60 million
Hucknall was the only child of Maureen and Reginald, who was a barber. At the age of three, his mother abandoned the family and Mick was raised by his father. Mick matriculated from Audenshaw School in his home town. In 1976, he was present at Sex Pistols’ concert in Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall which inspired him to launch his own punk band soon after – The Frantic Elevators. As their four singles failed to chart, in 1982 Mick disbanded the group and focused on building a more serious music career.
In 1985 Mick founded Simply Red, which released its debut single “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)”, becoming an international commercial success, reaching the Top 20 in the UK as well as Top 5 in Italy. This was followed by the group’s debut studio album, entitled “Picture Book”. In 1986, Simply Red released “Holding Back the Years”, the song which Mick wrote inspired by his mother’s abandoning the family, which became an instant hit, reaching No. 1 on the UK charts. All these ventures provided the basis for Mick Hucknall’s net worth, and set his music career on a rising path.
The group’s second studio album – “Men and Women”, released in 1987 – produced another international hit single “The Right Thing”. Becoming more popular world wide, Simply Red led by Mick Hucknall continued to release commercially successful albums through the rest of the 1980s to the mid-1990s including “A New Flame” (1989) and “Stars” (1991) which was named the album of the year and was rated platinum 12 times in the UK only. These achievements dramatically boosted Mick Hucknall’s fame as well as provided a significant increment to his total net worth.
In the course of the next 15 years, Mick and Simply Red released six more studio albums, 11 in total, including the commercially successful “Life” (1995) and “Blue” which produced two Top 10 chart hit singles “The Air I Breathe” and “Say You Love Me”. In 2010, after 25 years Mick Hucknall disbanded Simply Red. In addition to all those already mentioned above, in 2008 Mick has released his debut solo album, entitled “Tribute to Bobby” which was followed by “American Soul” in 2012. He has also added two Brit Awards to his professional portfolio.
Apart from his music career, Mick Hucknall is also a successful businessman – he is a co-founder of reggae music label Blood and Fire and the co-owner of construction company Ask Property Development. Mick also produces a fine selection of wines through his Sicily-based label “Il Cantane”.
When it comes to his personal life, Mick has been married since 2010 to Gabrielle Wilke-Wesberry, with whom he has a daughter. He is an avid supporter of the UK Labour Party.
Al Green is a huge influence on me as a singer. He has such delicate phrasing and sensuality. I'm also very aware of how much women love his singing style.
6
[on Barry White] He always had a fabulous rhythm section and, together with his extraordinary voice, it makes something really special.
The truth is there was a golden era in music from 1962 to 1978 - after that it all went a bit tits up. I blame the fucking drum machine and the fucking shoulder pads of the 1980s. I feel a bit like the Antichrist as I had the bulk of my success in the 80s and I hate 80s music. I don't care if it's in fashion now, I hate it. I hate everything about it. The only thing I succumbed to was the ridiculous hairstyles.
9
It's still the same drive that gets me out of bed in the morning. Lust for life. Or, failing that, Iggy Pop's Lust For Life. Whatever it takes, y'know?
10
I think most amateur psychologists would say that, given my upbringing, I would probably be seeking some kind of approval from the opposite sex. So I think that became a way of seeking endless re-approval for myself. Plus, of course, a little bit of ego, a little bit of power plus a vast amount of alcohol ... before you know it, you are in bed with a different woman every night. I don't think fame is the key. I never had any problems getting off with women. Admittedly, it became a lot easier once I was famous. But I think my success in that department owes a lot to the way I was brought up. I didn't have a mother, but I had lots of different female characters around me. So, compared to a lot of people, I learned a broader idea of the female psyche and maybe I really learned what women are truly like. But, whenever it's mentioned, it's always, "Mick Hucknall, the ugly ginger twat who pulls beautiful girls." No envy there, I don't suppose!
11
The thing is that I'm red-headed for good reason. I researched my DNA and I'm Irish/Basque with a big dollop of Spanish sea captain in there.
12
What people say I am worth is bollocks. But I grew up with the idea that socialism meant the Labour Party, and that's what it still means to me. It comes down to social justice, social welfare, everybody getting an equal shot at what life has to offer. I don't see that having a few bob is a contradiction of those beliefs. I still believe in the Labour Party, though I do question some of their policies like any intelligent person should.
13
I have to admit that The Clash were the best punk band of all. They really delivered the goods and took that original punk attitude to a whole other space.
The band I had at the time were in love with punk's individualism, but not always with the punk sound. Also, I thought the idea of a punk uniform was an oxymoron. By the time of "Holidays In The Sun", the whole thing had turned into a bad joke, a cliché, a parody of itself. So I moved from punk to soul because that's where I felt most comfortable.
16
I am one of the best singer-songwriters this country has produced. Ever. If people don't like me saying that, tough shit. You can't sell 50 million albums without something.
17
We would never have gained the attention without a major label throughout the world initially. I just got tired of them taking all the money.
18
Maybe these girls want to sleep with me because I sing quite well.
19
The influence of black American music has been inherent in British pop culture since the sixties.
20
What's wrong with coffee tables? Millions of people have got coffee tables. What's wrong with having a book on there and a Simply Red and a Sade CD? I don't have a problem with it.
21
I was a soul boy before I was a punk. James Brown and Motown - we related to it because we were kind of blue collar.
22
I believe that music should communicate to as many people as you can get to. In that kind of DJ, music journalist world the snobbery comes from 'it's too successful, therefore I can't like it. It's too big a hit'.
23
Aretha Franklin was a huge influence on the way I sing. I'd always try and get the notes that she could get.
24
I'm interested in what legacy you leave behind musically, not about what I am now, what I look like, whether I'm skinny, whether I'm fat, whether I'm good looking, whether I'm ugly. I don't think it matters. It's about the music.
25
I am in this business for the music. The whole fame and celebrity stuff is the bit that I've always been uncomfortable with.
26
We've bred this generation of young people who just want to be famous.
27
Celebrity is a fascination with a fake plastic image.
28
I've read some amazingly derogatory things about me over the years and I've sat there and thought: if you replaced "ginger" with "black" or even "Asian", you'd be up in front of a judge.
29
I was listening to the Beatles as well, which you weren't allowed to if you were a punk. So I never quite fitted in.
30
Like many artists, my deal meant I paid for the cost of recording the music. I paid for the marketing. I don't know any other business where you pay for something and then someone else owns it.
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Fact
1
(1985 to present) Lead Singer and only Original Band Member of Simply Red
2
Daughter Romy True, born 18 June 2007.
3
He and girlfriend Gabriella are expecting a baby girl in June 2007.
Simply Red were joint winners (with KLF) of the 1992 Brit Award for British Group.
6
Winner of the 1993 Brit Awards for British Male Solo Artist and British Group for Simply Red.
7
Winner of the 2002 Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding song collection.
8
He was a guest at the talk show TV-Huset (Oktober 2005)
9
Agreed to chair proceedings at Alastair Campbell's one-man show at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester in March 2004. Alastair is Tony Blair's former director of communications.
10
Performed (as Simply Red) for the BBC's annual Children in Need charity event. [November 2003]
11
Before Simply Red, Hucknall sang in a punk band.
12
He has admitted that his band's name, Simply Red, is a tribute to his love of Manchester United, which he has supported since childhood.
13
He wanted to buy Manchester United football club in 1998.
14
Labour Party supporter.
15
Is said to be worth £30,000,000
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sisters
2015/III
writer: "Holding Back the Years" - as Michael Hucknall
Ochéntame... otra vez
2014
TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
Alba
2014
TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode
World Championship Snooker
2014
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Voice UK
2014
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Grand Theft Auto V
2013
Video Game writer: "Something Got Me Started Hurley's House Mix" - as Michael James Hucknall
Sunday Brunch
2013
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Idool 2011
2011
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past
2009
writer: "Holding Back the Years"
They Came from Manchester: Five Decades of Mancunian Pop
2008
TV Movie writer: "Holding Back The Years"
Later... With Jools Holland
2008
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Nanny Diaries
2007
writer: "Stay"
Polly World: Her First Full-Length Movie
2006
Video "Smile"
Idols
2005
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Six Feet Under
2005
TV Series writer - 1 episode
De-Lovely
2004
performer: "I Love You" 1943
EastEnders
2003-2004
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Idol
2003
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Door to Door
2002
TV Movie writer: "Holding Back The Years"
Zwei Männer am Herd
2001
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Whatever It Takes
2000
writer: "Holding Back the Years"
Love & Basketball
2000
writer: "Holding Back The Years" - as Michael James Hucknall
An Audience with Tom Jones
1999
TV Special performer: "Ain't That a Lot of Love"
Me Myself I
1999
writer: "So Beautiful" 1995 - as M. Hucknall
Top of the Pops
1995-1998
TV Series writer - 8 episodes
Brit Awards 1996
1996
TV Special writer: "Fairground"
Jack & Sarah
1995
writer: "Stars"
Stars in Their Eyes
1991-1994
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Après l'amour
1992
writer: "The Right Thing"
Sjans
1992
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Only Fools and Horses....
1989
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Frantic
1988
writer: "I'm Gonna' Lose You"
3 Men and a Baby
1987
writer: "The Right Thing"
Cross My Heart
1987
writer: "Holding Back the Years"
A Year in the Life
1987
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Miami Vice
1986-1987
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Simply Red: Farewell - Live at the Sydney Opera House
2011
De-Lovely
2004
Musical Performer - "I Love You"
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Aufregung auf der Weide
2009
TV Short
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Question Time
2004-2014
TV Series
Himself
The Beatles' Please Please Me: Remaking a Classic
2014
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Night of the Proms
2013
TV Series
Himself - Singer
Loose Women
2006-2013
TV Series
Himself - Performer / Himself
Sunday Brunch
2013
TV Series
Himself - Guest
The 2012 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2012
TV Movie
Himself
B.B. King: The Life of Riley
2012
Documentary
Himself
The Nation's Favourite Bee Gees Song
2011
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Breakfast
2008-2011
TV Series
Himself - Musician / Himself
Music Nuggets
2011
TV Series
Himself
Legends
2010
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
2009
TV Series
Himself
Mastermind
2008
TV Series
Himself
The One Show
2008
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Wetten, dass..?
2003-2008
TV Series
Himself
Songbook
2008
TV Series
Himself
Later... With Jools Holland
1998-2008
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Interviewee
Quelli che... il calcio
2008
TV Series
Himself - Performer
Simply Red: Stay - Live at the Royal Albert Hall
2007
Himself / Vocals
Family Guy
2007
TV Series
Himself
This Morning
2004-2007
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Performer
Comic Relief: The Apprentice
2007
TV Movie
Himself
Soul Britannia
2007
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
The Sharon Osbourne Show
2006
TV Series
Himself
How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?
2006
TV Series
Himself - Performer
All-Time Greatest Party Songs
2005
TV Movie documentary
Performer / Himself (as Simply Red)
GMTV
2003-2005
TV Series
Himself
Strictly Come Dancing
2005
TV Series
Himself - Musical Guest
Saturday Swings
2005
TV Movie
Himself
42. Sopot Festival
2005
TV Movie
Himself
Classic Albums
2004
TV Series documentary
Himself
All-Time Greatest Love Songs
2004
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Performer (as Simply Red)
Parkinson
2003-2004
TV Series
Himself / Themselves
Kelly
2004
TV Series
Himself
One Life to Live
2004
TV Series
Himself
Children in Need
2003
TV Series
Himself
TV total
2003
TV Series
Himself
The National Music Awards 2003
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Performer
Celebridade
2003
TV Series
Himself
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003
TV Series
Himself
95.8 Capital FM's Party in the Park for the Prince's Trust 2003
2003
TV Special
Himself - Performer (as Simply Red)
Verstehen Sie Spaß?
2003
TV Series
Himself
Top of the Pops
1985-2003
TV Series
Himself
V Graham Norton
2003
TV Series
Himself
It's the Number One Party
2003
TV Movie documentary
Himself - Performer (as Simply Red)
ABC 2000: The Millennium
1999
TV Movie documentary
Die Lotto-Show
1998-1999
TV Series
Himself
TFI Friday
1996-1999
TV Series
Himself
An Audience with Tom Jones
1999
TV Special
Himself
Martine McCutcheon: This Is My Moment
1999
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Lenny Goes to Town
1998
TV Series
Himself
An Audience with Rod Stewart
1998
TV Movie
Performer / Himself
Dennis Pennis R.I.P.
1997
Video
Himself
The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon
1997
TV Movie
Himself
MTV Europe Music Awards 1996
1996
TV Special
Himself (as Simply Red)
Lauren Hutton and...
1996
TV Series
Himself
Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge
1995
TV Series
Himself - Special Guest
MTV Europe Music Awards 1995
1995
TV Special
Himself - Performer (as Simply Red)
Masterchef
1995
TV Series
Himself
Brit Awards 1992
1992
TV Special
Himself - Award Winner
Aspel & Company
1992
TV Series
Himself
Late Night with David Letterman
1991
TV Series
Himself
Cilla's Goodbye to the '80s
1989
TV Movie as Simply Red
The 29th Annual Grammy Awards
1987
TV Special
Himself (as Simply Red)
The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross
1987
TV Series
Himself
Tocata
1987
TV Series
Himself
Brit Awards 1987
1987
TV Special
Himself - Performer (as Simply Red)
MTV Video Music Awards 1986
1986
TV Special
Himself - Performer (as Simply Red)
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Stayin' Alive - 50 Jahre Bee Gees
2013
Documentary
Himself
Essential Music Videos: Classic '80s
2004
Video short
Himself - Simply Red (segment "Holding Back the Years") (uncredited)