Glasgow

The death of Jaine Henderson, glorious, glamorous and generous friend, muse and femme fatale to a generation of Glasgow artists and musicians on the eve of the Glasgow shows added poignancy and sadness to two memorable nights at the Hydro.

I fell under Jaine's spell more than forty years ago and we have been close personal friends ever since. Jaine and her older brother David worked for Simple Minds in the eighties and remained friends with Jim and Charlie ever since.

Her fathomless optimism and good humour was never diminished through years of illness and up until two days prior to the Glasgow shows she was determined to be there. When this became impossible for her a party was planned at her bedside for Friday night with the concert Zoomed in on mobile phones by family and friends as it happened .

Jaine's family were there on Friday night and it goes without saying that our thoughts were with them that evening and that they remain in our hearts: Jaine's death will be a terrible loss to them all and especially to David, the big brother whose legendary calm and compassion for every one around him—family, friends and colleagues—is an inspiration to every one who knows him.

Notwithstanding the sad circumstances, these were two nights to remember. We left the stage to the kind of ovation usually reserved for the headline band. Simple Minds then took the stage and the room to another level. Thank you to all of the 24 000 people who raised the roof of the Hydro on Friday and Saturday nights and made the final UK shows of the tour ones to remember.