Midge Ure was born in in Cambuslang, just outside Glasgow, in 1953, and originally worked as an engineer after training at East Kilbride’s National Engineering Laboratory.
He started playing in his first band, called Stumble, in 1969, but started to be a regular in the charts in the 1980s with Visage and Ultravox producing hit singles like Fade to Grey, Vienna, Dancing with Tears in My Eyes and No Regrets.
Most famously, in 1984, he co-wrote and produced Band Aid charity single Do They Know It's Christmas?, which has sold nearly four million copies in the UK alone, and co-organised the Live Aid concert with Bob Geldof.
His solo career includes the number two album The Gift and the hit singles No Regrets and If I Was (a UK number 1).
Still touring today, he’s one of Scotland’s all-time most successful musicians.
Here are 11 memorable quotes from Midge Ure.
9. Midge Ure on...writing songs
"I start with the subject matter I want to write about. Then I make a musical base for that and create an atmosphere with the music. Once I've done that, the lyrics come last." | Getty Images
10. Midge Ure on...musicianship
"You are talking to a man who can only play a plastic keyboard. Give me anything weighted and I've had it. I haven't got the strength in my fingers to push them down. So I don't get a lot of expression on the keyboard." | Getty Images
11. Midge Ure on...Bob Geldof being the face of Live Aid
"Sure, it still irks a little bit that Bob is always the one mentioned when it comes to Band Aid and Live Aid. People were always asking me where my OBE was. What could I say? But without Bob's brashness the whole Band Aid thing would never have happened at all." | Getty Images