Eighties pop star unrecognisable 36 years after massive hit and bandmate’s tragic death

HE'S worked with the biggest names in music from Aretha Franklin to Eric Clapton and scored hits as an artist in his own right.

And 36 years on from his biggest hit as part of Brit duo Climie Fisher, Simon Climie looks very different.

Those halcyon Top of the Pops days saw Climie Fisher reach number two in the UK charts with the re-release of their 1987 track Love Changes [Everything].

It won Simon and music partner Rob Fisher, who tragically died in 1999 while undergoing surgery for bowel cancer, a prestigious Ivor Novello Award for their songwriting.

They had another UK top 10 with the track Rise to the Occasion, but Simon is more famous for his writing and production work with iconic artists.

The 66-year-old, who now lives in California, co-wrote Aretha Franklin's only UK number one, I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me), her smash hit duet with George Michael.

In 2018, after the soul icon's death, Simon paid a glowing tribute in an BBC interview and recalled working with her on their 80s hit.

He said: "We're always blessed with great singers from time to time, but I just think Aretha's in a place of her own, totally. Very, very sad to lose her."

In more recent times he's formed a successful working relationship with guitar god Eric Clapton, winning two Grammy's for work on his noughties albums, Riding with the King and The Road to Escondido, respectively.

They still work closely to this day and, only last week, Simon shared content from Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival benefit show in the US.

Bluesman Clapton was joined on-stage by Stevie Wonder, who posed for a picture with Simon behind the scenes.

Simon wrote: "What an incredible surprise for all when Stevie Wonder popped in to bless @ericclapton’s benefit concert for @crossroadsantigua on the last night in LA. Just amazing!!!

"Everyone was even more blown away when Stevie played with Eric on the timeless blues hit ‘Crossroads’ – at the @crossroadsguitarfestival!"