Mel George Gaynor (born 29 May 1959) is an English drummer, singer and recording artist, best known as the longtime drummer for the rock band Simple Minds.

Career Prior to joining Simple Minds, Gaynor played in the hard rock band Samson, at the same time as vocalist Bruce Dickinson. In 1981, he appeared in the music video for David Bowie's "Wild Is the Wind".

Gaynor first worked with Simple Minds in 1982 as a session drummer for the New Gold Dream album, playing on six of the nine tracks. He joined the band permanently later that year, after drummer Mike Ogletree was fired partway through the New Gold Dream tour. Gaynor's last work with Simple Minds was the recording of the Walk Between Worlds album during 2017.

Gaynor's solo album, Come With Me, was released as a digital copy in May 2024, with a physical copy planned for release in June 2024. He started a tour in the autumn of 2024.

EQUIPMENT LIST

DS DRUMS

24” bass drum

10” 12” 13” mounted Toms

14” 16” 18” floor toms

14” aluminium snare

12” brass snare

Istanbul cymbals

Discography

EQUIPMENT DETAILS

DS DRUMS ZEBRA FINISH

24” bass drum

10” 12” 13” mounted toms

14” 16” 18” floor toms

14.6 “ aluminium snare

12.6 brass snare

istanbul cymbals

22” ride cymbal

2x 19” crash cymbals

20” crash cymbal

15” hi hats

2x china cymbals

with Samson Live at Reading '81 (1990)

with Simple Minds New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84) (1982) Sparkle in the Rain (1984) Once Upon a Time (1985) Live in the City of Light (1987) Street Fighting Years (1989) Real Life (1991) Néapolis (1998) Black & White 050505 (2005) Graffiti Soul (2009) 5X5 Live (2012) Big Music (2014) Walk Between Worlds (2018)

Solo Come with Me (2024)

References

External links Official website