Overview

Mick Hucknall, born on June 8, 1960, in Manchester, England, is an English pop singer and songwriter. He rose to fame as the founder and lead singer of the band Simply Red. His mother left the family when he was three years old and was raised by his father. Inspired by a Sex Pistols performance, he started his music career in the late 1970s with the punk band The Frantic Elevators. After that band dissolved, Hucknall formed Simply Red in 1985. The band achieved international success with hits like “Holding Back the Years” and “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” and their album “Stars” became one of the best-selling albums in UK history. Simply Red lasted for 25 years, sold over 50 million albums, and won two Brit Awards for Best British Group. Beyond his music career, Hucknall also produces wine in Sicily under the label “Il Cantante” and co-owns the construction company Ask Property Development.

Simply Red

Founder and Lead Singer

What Is Mick Hucknall’s Net Worth?

Mick Hucknall, the English pop singer and songwriter best known as the founder and lead singer of Simply Red, has accumulated a considerable fortune over his career. As of 2025, Mick Hucknall’s net worth is estimated to be $60 million. This figure primarily reflects his earnings from decades of music production, album sales, and live performances, particularly with Simply Red.

Early Career and Rise of Simply Red

Born on June 8, 1960, in Manchester, England, Mick Hucknall’s early life experiences profoundly shaped his musical trajectory. Raised in Denton by his father, Reginald, after his mother left when he was three, Hucknall attended Audenshaw School and later Tameside College. He enrolled at the Manchester School of Art before music fully captured his attention.

Inspired by the Sex Pistols’ performance in 1976, Hucknall’s initial foray into music began with the punk band the Frantic Elevators, where he released four singles in the late 1970s. The disbanding of the Frantic Elevators led him to form Simply Red with manager Elliot Rashman.

Simply Red’s original lineup included Hucknall, guitarist David Fryman, bassist Tony Bowers, drummer Chris Joyce, keyboardist Fritz McIntyre, and backing vocalist Tim Kellett. Their debut single, a cover of “Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)” by the Valentine Brothers, was released in 1985. This single was featured on their debut album, “Picture Book,” which also included “Holding Back the Years.” The latter became one of the band’s major hit singles, contributing significantly to the band’s early financial success.

Simply Red’s Peak and Commercial Success

The band’s second album, “Men and Women,” released in 1987, continued their success with the lead single, “The Right Thing,” achieving global recognition. However, it was with their third album, “A New Flame” (1989), that Simply Red truly embraced a more mainstream sound, leading to their second #1 hit song in the US, “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” a cover of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. This track was a major contributor to the band’s earnings during that period.

In 1991, Simply Red reached a career peak with their album “Stars,” one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history. While specific sales figures fluctuate depending on sources and recalculations over time, it is consistently cited as a multi-platinum album, with sales exceeding several million copies in the UK alone. In 1995, their album “Life” produced the #1 UK hit single “Fairground,” further cementing their commercial success.

By the mid-1990s, only Hucknall and McIntyre remained from the original lineup. After “Life,” McIntyre departed, leaving Hucknall to continue with session musicians. During this period, the band released “Blue,” featuring primarily covers, and “Love and the Russian Winter,” which incorporated computer-generated sounds. In 2003, Simply Red released “Home,” which featured a mix of covers and original songs and achieved success in Europe and Canada. The album spawned hit singles like “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” “Sunrise,” and “Fake,” generating substantial revenue.

Subsequent albums included “Simplified” (2005) and “Stay” (2007). From 2009 to 2010, Simply Red embarked on a farewell tour, marking the end of an era. In 2015, Simply Red reunited for a 30th-anniversary tour of Europe, followed by another tour the subsequent year. The band released a new studio album named after the tour, called “Big Love.” Their twelfth studio album, “Blue Eyed Soul,” was released in late 2019. Over their 25-year career, Simply Red sold over 50 million albums, generating significant royalties and performance income for Hucknall as the lead singer and key creative force.

Solo Career and Additional Ventures

Hucknall began his solo recording career in 2008 with the release of “Tribute to Bobby,” an album paying homage to blues singer Bobby Bland. The album reached #18 on the UK Albums chart. In 2012, he released his second solo album, “American Soul,” which reached #6 in the UK and was certified Gold by the BPI. While his solo career did not reach the same commercial heights as Simply Red, it still contributed to his overall earnings.

Beyond music, Mick Hucknall has diversified his income streams through various ventures. He owns the Glenmore Estate in Ireland with his bandmate Chris De Margary, operating a fishing and hunting tourism business. In Sicily, he produces wine under the label “Il Cantante.” Additionally, Hucknall co-owns the construction company Ask Property Development, further expanding his portfolio.

Specific details about the financial performance of Glenmore Estate, “Il Cantante” wines, and Ask Property Development are not publicly available. However, these ventures contribute to his overall net worth by generating additional income and diversifying his assets. The commercial success of “Il Cantante” wines, which are sold in select markets, adds to his revenue stream. Similarly, Ask Property Development’s projects in the construction sector contribute to his investment portfolio.

Real Estate and Personal Assets

While specific details about Mick Hucknall’s real estate holdings are not widely publicized, it is understood that he owns properties in multiple locations, reflecting his international lifestyle and business interests. These properties likely include residences in the UK, Ireland (due to his ownership of the Glenmore Estate), and Sicily (where he produces wine under the label “Il Cantante”).

The Glenmore Estate in Ireland serves as both a personal retreat and a commercial venture. Such estates can be valued based on their land size, the presence of historical buildings, and their potential for tourism and recreational activities. Similarly, his properties in wine-producing regions like Sicily can appreciate in value due to the demand for vineyards and agricultural land. Details about the specific models and valuations of any luxury cars he owns are not publicly available, but such assets would contribute to his overall wealth.

Income from Touring and Royalties

Mick Hucknall’s income is significantly influenced by Simply Red’s extensive touring history and the royalties generated from their hit songs. With over 50 million albums sold worldwide, Simply Red has amassed a substantial catalog of songs that continue to generate royalties through radio play, streaming services, and licensing agreements.

Touring provides a direct and significant source of income for musicians, with revenue derived from ticket sales, merchandise, and VIP packages. Simply Red’s 30th-anniversary tour and subsequent tours generated considerable revenue. Specific financial details about these tours, such as gross revenue, expenses, and net profit, are not publicly disclosed. However, it is estimated that a band of Simply Red’s stature can generate millions of dollars in revenue from a successful tour.

Royalties represent a continuous income stream for songwriters and performers. Royalties are paid each time a song is played on the radio, streamed online, or used in a film or television show. As the lead singer and primary songwriter for Simply Red, Hucknall receives a substantial portion of these royalties. The specific amount of royalties earned varies depending on factors such as the popularity of the song, the number of plays, and the terms of the licensing agreement.

While precise figures are not publicly available, it is estimated that Simply Red’s most popular songs, such as “Holding Back the Years” and “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” continue to generate significant royalties each year, contributing to Hucknall’s net worth.

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