Simply Red have announced that keyboardist Dave Clayton has left the band.
The musician, 81, decided to quit since he ‘no longer wishes to tour’, as confirmed by a statement posted to the group’s Instagram account on Saturday.
Having joined the group in 2003 for their eighth album Home, he now wants to spend more time with his partner Sue after almost 20 years with his bandmates.
Departure: Simply Red have announced the news that keyboardist Dave Clayton has left the band
The Holding Back The Years hitmakers wrote on social media: ‘Sad news for Simply Red. Our dear friend and colleague Dave Clayton has announced that he no longer wishes to tour and is inevitably leaving the band.
‘We fully respect his decision. Touring is a challenge even for young bucks! Dave is a lovely, admirable human being who we understand wishes to spend more quality time with his delightful partner Sue.
‘All at Simply Red wish him a prosperous and happy future and thank him for his wonderful contribution over many years. Simply Red HQ.’
Crew: Simply Red also consists of Mick Hucknall, Ian Kirkham, Steve Lewinson, Kenji Suzuki, Kevin Robinson and Roman Roth
Simply Red also consists of Mick Hucknall, Ian Kirkham, Steve Lewinson, Kenji Suzuki, Kevin Robinson and Roman Roth.
Earlier this year, frontman Mick revealed he’s suffering with long Covid and is struggling with the after-effects of he virus.
Speaking to The Sun, the singer, 62, told how he suffers with heart palpitations and insomnia, explaining how he often wakes up in the middle of the night ‘with my heart going ba-boom, ba-boom.’
Announcement: The musician, 81, decided to quit since he ‘no longer wishes to tour’, as confirmed by a statement posted to the group’s Instagram account on Saturday
Fair play: Having joined the group in 2003 for their eighth album Home, he now wants to spend more time with his partner Sue after almost 20 years with his bandmates
In January, the star was forced to cancel his rescheduled gigs after he and four other members of the six-strong band were struck down with coronavirus.
And weeks later, Mick was still feeling the effects of the virus, with it recently reported that one in 50 Brits are suffering with long Covid.
Mick explained: ‘I’ve got long Covid. I go to bed and wake up in the night with my heart going ‘ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom.’
‘I just have to grab two or three hours sleep when I can.’
Nice: Since the release of their debut studio album Picture Book (1985), they have had ten songs reach top 10 in the UK Singles Chart
Since the release of their debut studio album Picture Book (1985), they have had ten songs reach top 10 in the UK Singles Chart, including Holding Back the Years and If You Don’t Know Me by Now, both of which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.
They have had five number one albums in the UK, with their 1991 album, Stars, being one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history. At the 1992 and 1993 Brit Awards, they received the award for Best British Group.
They received three Grammy Award nominations: for Best New Artist in 1987, and Holding Back the Years and If You Don’t Know Me by Now for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
The band re-formed in 2015. Simply Red have sold over 50 million albums.
Oh no: It comes after earlier this year, frontman Mick (pictured) revealed he was suffering with long Covid and was struggling with the after-effects of the virus
