INTERVIEW: Drummer shares his music memories from Simply Red stardom to glorious Morecambe sunsets

A musician who shot to fame with Simply Red has visited the Beyond Radio studio to talk about his fascinating career and how he wants to help the Morecambe music scene.

Chris Joyce drummed with one of the UK's most famous and successful bands from the beginning of their chart career in 1985 until 1991.

Chris played on many of Simply Red's biggest hits including 'If You Don't Know Me By Now', 'Holding Back the Years', 'A New Flame', 'Money's Too Tight (To Mention)' and 'The Right Thing'.

The Manchester-born musician recently moved to Morecambe after falling in love with the town, and now teaches drums from his studio in the West End.

In an in-depth interview on Beyond Radio's The Resident show, Chris talked about his passion for drumming, his early career, being managed by Manchester music legend Tony Wilson, success with Simply Red, working with Pete Wylie and The Mighty Wah!, and why he fell in love with Morecambe and wants to see its music scene go from strength to strength.

LISTEN to the full interview with Chris Joyce, first broadcast on The Resident with Greg Lambert on April 16

Chris explained why he decided to move to Morecambe from his previous home in Yorkshire.

"I came for a day out between lockdowns and I'd never been to Morecambe in my life," he said.

"My wife and I decided to try Morecambe, we came, the day was lovely, we had a great day, and we were both very taken with the place.

"I was taken with the sunsets over the Bay. It made us both really enjoy being here.

"If I can do anything to help the music scene grow and develop in Morecambe, I'd like to do that. I'd like to see more bands coming to Morecambe and playing as well. I think it could be a stopping off point on band tours, so it's not just tribute acts."

Chris is pictured, left, during his days with Simply Red

Chris began playing the drums as a teenager. His first band was called Flashback and he later joined a band called Fast Breeder.

He was also in bands Durutti Column, on the Factory Records label run by Tony Wilson, and The Mothmen before joining Simply Red.

Chris was part of the original line-up of the band, fronted by vocalist Mick Hucknall, which achieved international success in the mid-to-late 80s and early 90s.

Chris retired from drumming until the mid-noughties when he began teaching and returned to playing in bands, which included touring with Pete Wylie and The Mighty Wah! - known for 80s hits including 'Sinful' and 'The Story of the Blues'.

Having settled in Morecambe, he is enjoying passing on his drumming skills.

Last year Chris (pictured below) held drum lessons at the Nice 'n' Sleazy punk festival at the Trimpell Club in Morecambe, held workshops at Lancaster and Morecambe College, and set up his new studio in the West End.

"I opened it at the end of July and it's hit the ground running," said Chris.

"It's gone from strength to strength in a very quick period of time and now I'm busy with it. I've got a beautiful room where I've got all my equipment and it's a paradise for drummers."

Chris teaches all ages, including 12-year-old Charlie who drums on the terraces at Morecambe FC, all the way up to 90-year-old grandma Barbara McInnis from Torrisholme!

Read more: Former Simply Red member sets up drumming school in Morecambe - Beyond Radio

Morecambe super-gran becomes 'oldest lady drummer in north' with help from Simply Red star - Beyond Radio