[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "is%20it%20true%20that%20owen%20paul%20was%20the%20lead%20vocalist%20with%20simple%20minds%20at%20one%20point%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "No \u2014 it\u2019s not true that Owen Paul was ever the lead vocalist of *Simple Minds*. Here\u2019s a breakdown of the facts:\n\n---\n\n## Who *is* the lead vocalist of Simple Minds?\n\n- **Jim Kerr** has been the lead singer for Simple Minds *since the band\u2019s formation in 1977*. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Kerr?utm_source=openai))\n- There\u2019s no indication in any credible sources that Owen Paul ever fronted Simple Minds in the capacity of their lead singer. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Minds?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## Who is Owen Paul, and what *is* his connection to Simple Minds?\n\n- Owen Paul (born Owen McGee) is a Scottish pop singer, best known for his 1986 hit \u201cMy Favourite Waste of Time.\u201d ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Paul?utm_source=openai))\n- He is **the younger brother** of Brian McGee, who was the *original drummer* for Simple Minds. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Paul?utm_source=openai))\n- Owen Paul did serve as **lead vocalist for *Ex-Simple Minds*** (also called XSM), a group formed around 2009\u20132011 that included Brian McGee and Derek Forbes (both former members of Simple Minds). But this was a *separate act*, not the official Simple Minds. ([de.wikipedia.org](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Paul?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nSo, in summary:\n\n- Owen Paul was *never* the lead vocalist *for* Simple Minds.\n- He *has* led a separate group using former members from Simple Minds \u2014 Ex-Simple Minds (XSM) \u2014 but that\u2019s distinct from the original band.\n- The long-standing lead vocalist of Simple Minds remains Jim Kerr. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Kerr?utm_source=openai))\n\nIf you want, I can track down more details about Ex-Simple Minds and how that project was similar or different to Simple Minds proper."
    }
]