Ian Kirkham

Biography

Ian Kirkham (born 9 March 1963, in Liverpool, Lancashire) is an English saxophonist, best known for his playing with Simply Red. Kirkham was born in Liverpool and grew up in Preston. He started learning piano at the age of five, and saxophone at eleven. He played saxophone with the British soul and pop band Simply Red from 1986 until the band retired in 2010. He reprised his role in the band when it reformed in 2015, and played on their 2019 album, Blue Eyed Soul. He is the second longest running member of the band, behind founder and lead vocalist Mick Hucknall.

Known For

MTV Video Music Awards

1984•TV Series•

7.8

Sacrée soirée

1987•TV Series•

5.7

Classic Albums

1997•TV Series•

7.7

TFI Unplugged

2026•TV Series

Simply Red: Cuba! (Recorded Live At El Gran Teatro, Havana)

2006•Movie•

8.0

Simply Red: Farewell

2011•Movie•

7.7

Simply Red – Live in Santiago de Chile

2025•Movie

SIMPLY RED: For The Last Time

N/A•Movie

Filmography