Charlie Burchill | |
|---|---|
 Charlie Burchill in 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Charles Burchill |
| Born | 27 November 1959 |
| Origin | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Member of | Simple Minds |
Charles Burchill (born 27 November 1959)[1] is a Scottish musician and composer. He is the guitarist and one of the founders of the rock band Simple Minds.[2]
During Simple Minds' early-to-mid-1980s period, Burchill's guitar had a distinctive and atmospheric sound not dissimilar to Echo & the Bunnymen's Will Sergeant.[citation needed] Making heavy use of effects such as delay and chorus, his playing often provided subtle textures behind the band's more drum- and bass-propelled songs. This style was most apparent on 1982's New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84).[3] From 1983's album Sparkle in the Rain onwards the group evolved a different style, bringing Burchill's playing more into the foreground.[4]
As well as providing guitar, Burchill played the violin and saxophone on the band's first three studio albums and took over most studio keyboard duties following the 1989 departure of Mick MacNeil. Burchill with lead singer Jim Kerr are the only original members of the band still performing.
Burchill has been playing a Gretsch White Falcon since the early 1980s. He also has a modern one in Black, and a number of 1969 Gibson Les Pauls. As of 2017[update] he uses Matchless amplifiers.[5]
