Robin Simon

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Robin Simon

---

Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background =
Birth_name =
Alias = Robert Simon
Born = c.1953
Died =
Origin = Halifax, Yorkshire, England
Instrument = Guitar
Genre = New Wave, post-punk, New Romantic, synthpop, world music
Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 1970s–present
Associated_acts = Limmie Funk Limited, Neo, Ultravox, Magazine, John Foxx, Ajanta Music
URL =
Notable_instruments =

Robert Simon (called Robin Simon in the music scene since 1978) is a British guitarist born around 1953 in Halifax , Yorkshire,Fact|date=August 2008 who was a member of both Ultravox! and Magazine.

Career

Robert Simon and his drummer brother Paul had played in a number of bands in and around Halifax in the mid-1970s, including one which featured future Ultravox member Billy Currie. The brothers toured the UK with Limmie Funk Limited," [http://independentartistscompany.com/artist.aspx?ID=29233 AjantaMusic] ", Independent Artists Company] before joining the punk rock band Ian North's Radio (later called Neo) in 1976, along with American singer and Brian Eno protégé Ian North, the band supporting Ultravox! at their London performance that year." [http://punkmodpop.free.fr/neo_pic.htm Neo] ", punkmodpop] Simon joined Ultravox!, replacing Steve Shears in 1978, bringing a looser, more multi-dimensional sound to the band.cite book|last=Strong|first=Martin C.|title=The Essential Rock Discography|publisher=Canongate|location=Edinburgh|date=2006|pages=p. 1132|isbn=978 184195 827 9 " [78] Robin Simon - guitar (ex-NEO) repl. Shears ... [Apr 79] Robin ... departed to Magazine."] Welbourn Tekh, " [http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/review/1031 Ultravox - "Systems of Romance"] (review)", Head Heritage] . When he was part of that band, he changed his name to Robin Simon in the music world.

During the American tour in 1979, John Foxx left Ultravox! and Robin Simon decided the same idea, asking the other members to stay in the USA, being both replaced by Midge Ure shortly afterwards. He lived in New York and played with an american punk band called The Futants. Later returning to England, he and Billy Currie began regularly visiting the "Billy's" nightclub in Soho, which was at the heart of a new electronic music scene which was inspired by all thing European and cinematic, and would be a major influence on the burgeoning New Romantic scene.Reynolds, Simon (2005) "Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984", Faber and Faber, ISBN 978-0-571-21570-6]

Returned to England, Simon joined Magazine in 1980 replacing John McGeoch.New Musical Express,26 July 1980 "Magazine have already recruited a replacement for John. He is former Ultravox guitarist Robin Simon who has been rehearsing with the band for the past three weeks and has already been writing material with them."] Magazine's tour of the United States and Australia led to Simon's departure from the band.Larkin, Colin (1992) "The Guinness Who's Who of Indie and New Wave Music", Guinness Publishing, ISBN 0-85112-579-4] . He returned with John Foxx in 1981 and collaborated with him in his solo career until 1985, when Foxx retired from the popular scene.

Ultravox had gone on to greater success with Midge Ure fronting the band, but when he left the band in 1988, Billy Currie reformed Ultravox with Simon, although the band's name soon changed to Humania due to outcry from fans.Grant, Steven, Robbins, Ira, & Reno, Brad " [http://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=ultravox Ultravox] ", Trouser Press] The band was shortlived, with Currie subsequently forming another incarnation of Ultravox without Simon. Simon also worked with Ian North and former Ultravox frontman John Foxx during their solo careers.cite book|last=Strong|first=Martin C.|title=The Great Alternative & Indie Discography|publisher=Canongate|location=Edinburgh|date=1999|pages=p. 266|isbn=0 86241 913 1]

In the early 1990s, Robin Simon began working again with his brother Paul, in AjantaMusic..

He collaborated with his Magazine ex bandmate Dave Formula in the song "The Saddest Quay" for his solo album "Satellite Sweetheart", which will be released in 2009.

References

*The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll - 3rd Edition

External links

* [http://www.shotbybothsides.com/rob_simo.htm Robin Simon at shotbybothsides.com - Unofficial Magazine website]
* [http://www.ajantamusic.com/index.htm AjantaMusic official website]
*http://www.mp3.com/artist/ultravox/summary/
*http://www.last.fm/music/Ultravox/+wiki
*http://music.msn.com/music/artist-biography/ultravox/?silentchk=1&