Frank Simms – Backing Vocalist for David Bowie’s Let’s Dance Era

Early career

Long before joining David Bowie, Frank Simms had established himself as one of New York’s most respected session vocalists. Beginning his professional career during the 1970s, he developed an exceptional reputation for versatility, moving effortlessly between pop, soul, rhythm & blues, rock, television productions and commercial recordings.

Unlike many touring singers who specialised in a single musical style, Simms became known as a vocalist who could quickly adapt to virtually any recording session. Producers valued his reliability, musical precision and ability to create rich vocal harmonies under demanding studio conditions.

His growing reputation led to collaborations with artists including Harry Chapin, Nile Rodgers, Billy Joel, Madonna, INXS, Carly Simon, Jeff Beck, Chaka Khan, Elvis Costello, Phil Collins, Roger Waters and numerous others. By the early 1980s he had become one of the busiest professional backing vocalists in New York’s recording industry.

The Simms Brothers

Throughout his career, Frank Simms worked closely with his brother George Simms, forming one of the most accomplished vocal partnerships in American popular music. Together they combined years of experience in soul, rhythm & blues, gospel and pop, creating harmonies that could move effortlessly between powerful lead passages and subtle supporting vocals.

The Simms Brothers Band performing at Toad’s Place, New Haven, Connecticut, 1982. Photograph courtesy of Frank and George Simms.

The brothers first gained recognition through The Simms Brothers Band, founded during the 1970s. Their growing reputation soon led to extensive session work with artists including Madonna, Billy Joel, Chaka Khan, INXS, Carly Simon, Phil Collins, Roger Waters, Elvis Costello and many others.

Their success was built not only on exceptional vocal ability but also on musical intelligence. Both singers understood how to enhance a lead artist’s performance without ever overpowering it, a quality that would later make them ideal collaborators for David Bowie during the Let’s Dance era.

This photograph shows The Simms Brothers Band performing at the legendary Toad’s Place in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1982. Within a year, Frank and George would join David Bowie for the recording of Let’s Dance and the worldwide Serious Moonlight Tour, beginning one of the most significant chapters of their careers.

Joining David Bowie

Frank Simms entered David Bowie’s world during preparations for what would become one of the biggest commercial successes of Bowie’s entire career. In late 1982 and early 1983, Bowie assembled an outstanding group of musicians for the recording of Let’s Dance, produced by Nile Rodgers at the Power Station in New York.

Rodgers wanted backing vocals that combined the discipline of professional studio singers with the emotional power of classic soul and gospel music. Frank Simms proved to be an ideal choice. His voice blended naturally with Bowie’s lead vocals while adding depth and rhythmic drive without overwhelming the arrangements.

The sessions resulted in one of the most successful albums of the decade. Released in April 1983, Let’s Dance transformed Bowie into an international MTV superstar and introduced his music to an entirely new generation of listeners.

Recording Let’s Dance

Frank Simms contributed backing vocals during the Let’s Dance sessions, becoming part of an extraordinary group of musicians that included David Bowie, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Nile Rodgers, Carmine Rojas, Omar Hakim, Robert Sabino and Tony Thompson.

His vocal performances can be heard throughout the album’s polished production, helping create the expansive sound that distinguished songs such as Let’s Dance, Modern Love and China Girl. Rather than simply doubling Bowie’s melodies, Simms added carefully constructed harmony parts that enriched the emotional impact of the recordings.

The Serious Moonlight Tour

Following the enormous success of Let’s Dance, Bowie launched the Serious Moonlight Tour, one of the largest world tours of his career. Running from May 1983 until July 1984, the tour visited Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, attracting well over two million spectators.

Frank Simms, George Simms and David Bowie on stage during the Serious Moonlight Tour, Japan, 1983. Photograph courtesy of Frank and George Simms.

Frank Simms became one of the featured backing vocalists throughout the tour. Night after night he helped recreate the sophisticated vocal arrangements heard on Let’s Dance while also bringing new life to classic Bowie material from the previous fifteen years.

Unlike many backing singers who remained almost invisible on stage, Simms became a visible part of the performance. Bowie frequently allowed his vocalists room to move, interact with the band and contribute to the theatrical atmosphere that characterised the Serious Moonlight concerts.

The demanding tour required exceptional consistency. Songs ranged from the soulful grooves of Modern Love and Let’s Dance to older material such as “Heroes“, Life on Mars?, Golden Years, Star and Young Americans, each requiring different vocal approaches.

Simms’ combination of technical control, gospel phrasing and stage experience made him an invaluable member of Bowie’s live ensemble throughout the tour.

Video: The Serious Moonlight Tour

Frank Simms performing with David Bowie during the Serious Moonlight Tour (1983–1984), where his soulful backing vocals became an essential part of Bowie’s live sound.

Signature Songs

Among Frank Simms‘ best-known contributions are his backing vocals on the three major singles from Let’s Dance. Each recording demonstrates a different aspect of his versatility as a vocalist.

Let’s Dance

On Let’s Dance, Frank Simms‘ backing vocals reinforce Nile Rodgers‘ rhythmic production while adding warmth and soul to David Bowie’s lead performance. Rather than dominating the arrangement, Simms and the other backing vocalists provide carefully balanced harmonies that complement the song’s infectious groove.

The spacious vocal textures became one of the defining characteristics of the album and helped transform Let’s Dance into Bowie’s biggest commercial success. Simms’ gospel-influenced delivery added richness and energy without overshadowing Bowie’s vocal, creating a sound that remains instantly recognisable more than four decades later.

Modern Love

Modern Love required a brighter, more exuberant vocal approach than most of the other songs on Let’s Dance. Frank Simms‘ gospel-influenced harmonies helped generate the infectious energy that drives one of David Bowie’s most uplifting and joyful recordings.

Working alongside the other backing vocalists, Simms added rhythmic precision and rich vocal textures that complemented Nile Rodgers‘ crisp production. The soaring harmonies heard during the chorus and closing sections became an essential part of the song’s unmistakable sound.

Although Bowie’s lead vocal remains the focal point, the carefully arranged backing vocals provide much of the record’s sense of celebration and momentum. They helped turn Modern Love into one of the standout singles from the Let’s Dance album and a highlight of the Serious Moonlight Tour.

China Girl

For China Girl, Frank Simms adopted a far more restrained vocal approach. Rather than providing the exuberant gospel-style harmonies heard on Let’s Dance and Modern Love, the backing vocals were carefully layered to enhance the song’s intimate and emotional atmosphere.

Produced by Nile Rodgers, the recording balances a polished pop arrangement with the darker emotional undercurrent of the song. Simms’ subtle harmonies help support Bowie’s expressive lead vocal without ever overpowering it, adding warmth and depth while preserving the track’s dramatic tension.

The result is one of the most nuanced vocal performances on the Let’s Dance album. Frank Simms‘ contribution demonstrates his versatility as a backing vocalist, adapting his style to serve the mood of each song rather than relying on the same vocal approach throughout the album.

Together these recordings illustrate why Frank Simms became such an important contributor to the sound of Bowie’s most commercially successful album.

Working with David Bowie

Frank Simms has often spoken warmly about his experiences working with David Bowie. Rather than behaving like an untouchable superstar, Bowie encouraged collaboration and valued ideas from everyone involved in the production.

During the Serious Moonlight Tour it was not unusual for Bowie and his musicians to continue discussing arrangements, harmonies and performances away from the stage. Simms has recalled spending time with Bowie in hotel suites after concerts, listening to music, discussing literature, films and visual art, while occasionally developing new vocal ideas for upcoming performances.

These memories reveal another side of Bowie that was not always visible to audiences. Away from the spotlight he remained deeply curious, approachable and genuinely interested in the creative contributions of the musicians around him.

A Lasting Friendship with Nile Rodgers

Frank Simms and Nile Rodgers at Love Rocks VIII, Beacon Theatre, New York City, March 2024. Photograph courtesy of Frank and George Simms.

More than forty years after working together on Let’s Dance and the Serious Moonlight Tour, Frank Simms and Nile Rodgers remain connected through music and their shared history with David Bowie.

Rodgers, who produced Bowie’s landmark Let’s Dance album, assembled an exceptional group of musicians and vocalists for both the studio recordings and the subsequent world tour. Frank Simms‘ powerful backing vocals became an important part of the album’s distinctive sound and the energy of Bowie’s live performances.

This photograph, taken backstage at Love Rocks VIII at New York City’s Beacon Theatre in March 2024, reflects the enduring friendships formed during one of the most successful periods of Bowie’s career. More than four decades later, the musical and personal bonds forged during the Let’s Dance era remain as strong as ever.

Continuing Studio Work

Frank Simms‘ relationship with Bowie did not end when the Serious Moonlight Tour concluded. Over the following decade he continued to contribute to Bowie-related recording projects.

His credits include work connected with ChangesBowie (1990), Black Tie White Noise (1993) and several later Bowie releases and archival projects. Although these contributions were less prominent than his work during the Let’s Dance era, they demonstrate the lasting professional relationship between Simms and Bowie.

Being invited back for later projects reflected the trust Bowie and his production team placed in Simms’ professionalism, musicianship and unmistakable vocal sound.

Beyond David Bowie

Although David Bowie remains one of the artists most closely associated with Frank Simms, his professional career extends far beyond a single collaboration. Over more than five decades he has established himself as one of America’s most respected session singers, equally at home in recording studios, concert halls, television productions and film soundtracks.

Simms has recorded or performed with an extraordinary range of artists, including Billy Joel, Madonna, Jeff Beck, Roger Waters, Brian Wilson, Nile Rodgers, Phil Collins, Al Green, Elvis Costello, Carly Simon, Chaka Khan, Dionne Warwick, Simple Minds, INXS and many others.

His versatility allowed him to move effortlessly between rock, pop, soul, film music, commercial recordings and television productions, making him one of New York’s most sought-after professional vocalists.

Voice Actor and Television Career

Away from concert stages, Frank Simms also built an impressive parallel career as a voice artist and actor. Millions of people have heard his voice without necessarily recognising his name.

He became widely known in the United States through countless television commercials, radio campaigns and promotional recordings. His voice has been featured in advertising for major international brands, while his work as a character actor has included films, animated productions and numerous video games.

For more than four decades Simms has also been associated with Saturday Night Live, contributing vocals, parody jingles, commercial spoofs and live musical performances for one of American television’s longest-running programmes.

His remarkable adaptability explains why his career has remained active long after many of his contemporaries retired from professional recording work.

A Continuing Bowie Connection

Carlos Alomar, Russell Velazquez and Frank Simms at The Cutting Room, New York City, 2024. Photograph courtesy of Frank and George Simms.

More than four decades after the Let’s Dance album and the Serious Moonlight Tour, Frank Simms continues to maintain close friendships with fellow members of David Bowie’s extended musical family.

This photograph, taken at The Cutting Room in New York City in 2024, brings together guitarist Carlos Alomar, recording engineer and producer Russell Velazquez, and vocalist Frank Simms. Each has contributed in different ways to preserving and celebrating David Bowie’s remarkable musical legacy.

For Bowie fans, images like this offer a rare glimpse into the enduring friendships that grew from years of collaboration. Although their work with Bowie belongs to different chapters of his career, the respect and camaraderie forged through music continue to this day.

It is a reminder that Bowie’s legacy lives on not only through his recordings, but also through the musicians, singers and creative partners who continue to share their experiences and keep those memories alive for future generations.

David Bowie Tribute Performances

Following David Bowie’s death in January 2016, Frank Simms participated in tribute performances celebrating Bowie’s life and music. Having worked closely with Bowie during one of the most successful periods of his career, Simms brought an authenticity that few performers could match.

Rather than simply recreating famous songs, these performances celebrated Bowie’s musicianship and the collaborative spirit that had characterised their years together.

Simms has consistently spoken of Bowie with warmth and admiration, remembering not only an exceptional performer but also a thoughtful, generous and intellectually curious individual.

Legacy

Frank Simms occupies a distinctive place within David Bowie’s musical history. Although he was never promoted as a headline collaborator, his contribution to the Let’s Dance album and the Serious Moonlight Tour helped shape the sound of one of the most commercially successful periods of Bowie’s career.

His powerful gospel-influenced vocals became an integral part of Bowie’s live performances during the early 1980s, while his continued participation in later recording projects demonstrated the lasting professional respect between the two artists.

Beyond Bowie, Simms has built one of the most varied careers of any American session vocalist, moving effortlessly between popular music, television, film, commercials and voice acting without sacrificing the musical standards that first brought him to international attention.

Frank Simms on David Bowie

Frank Simms on Bowie: Interview 1

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Frank Simms on Bowie: Interview 2

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  Frank Simms on Bowie: Interview 1

  This interview contains Frank Simms recollections about his work as a backing vocalist on David Bowies "Lets Dance" album and "Serious Moonlight" world tour of 1983. Edited sections of this audio were used in the radio documentary "Down Under The Moonlight", broadcast on Radio Hauraki, New Zealand, November 22nd 2008 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bowie's most successful album and tour (although not necessarily a view shared by critics).

  View More
• <

  >
  Frank Simms on Bowie: Interview 2

  This interview contains Frank Simms recollections about his work as a backing vocalist on David Bowies "Lets Dance" album and "Serious Moonlight" world tour of 1983. Edited sections of this audio were used in the radio documentary "Down Under The Moonlight", broadcast on Radio Hauraki, New Zealand, November 22nd 2008 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Bowie's most successful album and tour (although not necessarily a view shared by critics).

  View More

Frank Simms in Bowie’s Collaborative Universe

Among the many singers who worked with David Bowie throughout his career, Frank Simms stands out as one of the defining voices of the Let’s Dance era. His combination of technical precision, soulful expression and professional reliability made him far more than a conventional backing vocalist.

Working both in the recording studio and on one of Bowie’s biggest world tours, Simms helped deliver performances that introduced Bowie to millions of new listeners during the 1980s. His contribution remains an important chapter in the story of Bowie’s live and studio collaborations, illustrating how exceptional supporting musicians helped transform great songs into unforgettable performances.

Official Website & Further Information

Frank Simms continues to work as a vocalist, voice artist and performer across music, television, film and live entertainment. Throughout a career spanning several decades, he has appeared on countless recordings, international tours and television productions while continuing to develop new creative projects.

For more information about Frank’s career and current work, please visit his official website:
www.franksimms.net

Follow Frank Simms

Frank continues to share photographs, memories and behind-the-scenes stories from his remarkable career through his official Instagram account, including rare material from David Bowie’s Let’s Dance sessions and the Serious Moonlight Tour.

Official Instagram:
instagram.com/frank.simms

First-Hand Contributions

This page has been created in close cooperation with Frank Simms and George Simms. Following the publication of this article, both generously shared additional historical information, personal correspondence, rare photographs from their private archives and first-hand recollections of David Bowie’s Let’s Dance recording sessions and the Serious Moonlight Tour.

Frank has also provided access to material from the contemporary diary he kept throughout the 1983 world tour, documenting events from the first rehearsals in New York through the final concert in Hong Kong. As further verified material becomes available, this page will continue to be expanded, preserving these unique first-hand memories for future generations of David Bowie fans.

Article Origin

This article has been researched and written exclusively for DavidBowieWorld.com. It combines verified historical research with first-hand material generously provided by Frank Simms and George Simms, including personal correspondence, archive photographs, contemporary diary material and eyewitness recollections from David Bowie’s Let’s Dance sessions and the Serious Moonlight Tour.

© DavidBowieWorld.com — The Frank & George Simms Archive.

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