Charlie Burchill

Charles Burchill (born 27 November 1959)^[1] is a Scottish musician and composer. He is the guitarist and one of the founders of the rock band Simple Minds.^[2]

Charlie Burchill
Charlie Burchill in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Charles Burchill
Born	(1959-11-27) 27 November 1959 (age 65)
Origin	Glasgow, Scotland
Genres	Rock post-punk new wave pop rock alternative rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Guitar keyboard violin mandolin saxophone percussion vocals
Years active	1977–present
Member of	Simple Minds

Style

During Simple Minds' early-to-mid-1980s period, Burchill's guitar had a distinctive and atmospheric sound. 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^[update] he uses Matchless amplifiers.^[5]