Mel Gaynor (Simple Minds, Elton John) Interview: Broken Gear & 'Don't You (Forget About Me)'

We sat down with the iconic Mel Gaynor at the UK Drum Show 2025 to reflect on his storied 38-year tenure with Simple Minds. Mel dives into the unique challenge of drumming and singing simultaneously - a skill he embraced later in his career - and shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes from recording with Elton John, the effect 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' had on him and the rest of the band. He also gives us a glimpse into life on the road, including just how many cymbals, sticks, and drumheads he’d blast through during a high-energy tour.00:05 - Early chat & grandson’s drumming01:05 - Introduction & joining Simple Minds03:30 - Early days with the band06:10 - Breakthrough & “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”10:20 - Recording process & studio stories14:45 - Live performances & touring life19:30 - Working with other artists (incl. Elton John)23:40 - Gear talk & drum setup27:50 - Challenges, mistakes & lessons learned32:10 - Advice for young drummers & closing thoughts#melgaynor #simpleminds #ukdrumshow 🌟 Become a Drum Dog today! 👉 https://join.drum.dog/upgradeFollow us on:Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/drumdogukInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/drumdoguk/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@drumdoguk🔔 If you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more drumming content, gear reviews, and lessons from some of the world’s best drummers!Support the show