Michael James Hucknall (born 8 June 1960 in Manchester, England) is a British singer. Hucknall (also known as "Mick 'Red' Hucknall") is the lead singer of British band Simply Red. Hucknall was born in St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, the son of Reg and Maureen Hucknall. Hucknall's mother left the family when Hucknall was 3. He and his father lived very briefly in Bredbury before settling in Denton, where he grew up. Hucknall attended Audenshaw Grammar School for Boys.