James Kerr (born 9 July 1959) is a Scottish musician and lead singer of the rock band Simple Minds.

[3] Simple Minds have also achieved considerable chart success in the United States, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy and New Zealand.

Kerr's voice has been described as "David Bowie's rich baritone melded with Bryan Ferry's velvety croon".

[4] James Kerr was born in Toryglen, Glasgow, into a family of Irish Scots ancestry,[5] He had a stammer during childhood and in his early teens.

In November 1977, they changed their name to Simple Minds, quickly reduced to 4 members, then increased to 5, then 6, then back to 5 before a period of stability ensued.

[8] Kerr continues to record and tour with Simple Minds, who released their latest album Direction of the Heart in October 2022.

Three UK club dates in the spring of 2010 featured both new material and Simple Minds' back catalogue and a full European tour followed.

[20] Kerr helped organise a 90th birthday party for Nelson Mandela at Hyde Park, London on 27 June 2008.

The 2006 single "The Deep Blue Sea by Dutch singer-songwriter Mir, formerly of the band Twarres, features a vocal collaboration with Kerr.

[25] Mark Kerr, the vocalist's brother, is also a musician, playing in groups such as the hard rock band Gun.

[26] Kerr lives in Taormina, Sicily, with his Japanese partner Yumi, where he owns the hotel Villa Angela.