Mick Hucknall Recalls Frank Sinatra Complaining About Simply Red

Mick Hucknall, the iconic frontman of Simply Red, recently took part in NME’s Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! quiz, which tests artists on their own careers to see how much they remember. One interesting anecdote that came up during the quiz was the time Frank Sinatra complained about the band making too much noise in a San Francisco hotel room.

Simply Red, known for their soulful and melodic tunes, has often been compared to legendary crooners like Sinatra. The connection between the two artists goes beyond just their music, as Simply Red once covered Sinatra’s classic ‘My Way.’ However, it seems that the relationship between the two wasn’t always smooth sailing.

During the quiz, Hucknall was asked about a crooner who complained about the band making too much noise in a hotel room. He identified the crooner as none other than Frank Sinatra. Hucknall expressed his regret at not being told about the incident at the time, as he would have loved to have met the legendary singer.

According to Hucknall, Sinatra’s daughter, Nancy, once told him that her father enjoyed Simply Red’s hit ‘Holding Back the Years.’ Despite the complaint, Sinatra’s appreciation for their music was a great thrill for Hucknall. The noise that bothered Sinatra was actually caused by two record company executives who were using drugs in Hucknall’s bathroom, making a lot of noise in the process.

Here is the question the frontman was asked:

“Which crooner once complained about you making too much noise in a San Francisco hotel room?”

Hucknall replied:

“That would be Frank Sinatra!

He further added:

“I wish I’d been told because I’d have loved to have met him. His daughter, Nancy, once told me that he really liked the Simply Red song ‘Holding Back the Years,’ so that was a thrill. He complained about the noise because these two record company executives were doing coke in my bathroom and making lots of noise, and I think that’s what the problem was.”

The story highlights the intriguing, albeit indirect, connection between the two iconic musicians. While the incident may not have been the most flattering introduction for Hucknall and Sinatra, it remains an amusing anecdote that underscores the unpredictable nature of the music industry. It also serves as a reminder that even legendary artists can find themselves in awkward situations when the worlds of music, fame, and hotels collide.