Simple Minds drummer Kenny Hyslop dies aged 76: Scottish star Midge Ure leads the tributes to ‘much loved’ percussionist as he passes away after struggling with poor health

Simple Minds drummer Kenny Hyslop has died aged 76 after struggling with poor health, sources confirmed on Tuesday. 

The percussionist, a member of the Scottish rock band from 1981, had been ill for some time prior to his passing. A cause of death is yet to be confirmed. 

Paying tribute in a social media post on Tuesday afternoon, former Ultravox singer Midge Ure, a close friend, described him as a ‘much loved.’ 

‘Just about to board the British Airways flight from JFK and heard my old friend/Slik/Simple Minds drummer Kenny Hyslop has passed way,’ he told followers on X, formerly Twitter. 

‘He lived a lively life! Huge condolences to his friends and family. He was much loved.’ 

Simple Minds drummer Kenny Hyslop has passed away aged 76 after struggling with poor health, sources confirmed on Tuesday (L-R:  Charlie Burchill, Mick MacNeil, Kenny Hyslop, Jim Kerr and Derek Forbes in 1981)

Hyslop began his career in 1972 after replacing Matt Cairns as the drummer of glam-rock band Salvation. 

Two-years later they were renamed Slik following a line-up change that resulted in Ure becoming lead vocalist, and success would soon follow when they scored a UK number one single with Forever And Ever in 1975. 

It would prove to be their biggest hit, with the group disbanding after another name change – PVC2 – and a short-lived foray into punk. 

Ure would ultimately leave for Ultravox, with whom he enjoyed global success in the early 1980s, while Hyslop would play with new wave bands Zones and The Skids before joining Simple Minds. 

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