Tom Simpson of Snow Patrol

Tom Simpson (born 7 January 1972) is a Scottish DJ and musician, best known as the keyboardist of the alternative rock band Snow Patrol. He has been with Snow Patrol as a touring member since 1997 and became a permanent one in 2005.

Tom Simpson attended Monifieth High School in Angus, Scotland. He went to the art school in the University of Dundee, the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, and has a degree in drawing and painting.

He had no musical leanings as a youngster, and always had aspirations of being a scratch/mix DJ. He started deejaying when he was about 17, and used to run a few clubs in Dundee, in whose university Gary Lightbody studied at the time.

Simpson started to play keyboards in his late 20s, and in around 2006, finally took lessons in classical piano at the insistence of a friend. He finds the lessons interesting and challenging. He has said that after the years he was with Snow Patrol, he realized that he had become a musician, despite having no intentions to become so.

As a musician Tom Simpson plays piano, keyboards, a monitor mixer, and professional instrumental mixing of effects (recording music and application in live shows).

Simpson was accused of possessing Class A drugs in Glasgow in June 2006. He was arrested on 7 July 2007 in RAF Northolt, Middlesex, which put the band's headlining set the next day (at T in the Park) in jeopardy. He was held at London's Heathrow Airport, mere hours after the band played at Live Earth, which made him miss the Oxegen 2007 performance that night. The band had started searching for a replacement for Simpson, who however, was released in time to play at T in the Park. All charges against him and a friend were later dropped.

Tom currently lives in Monifieth Scotland. Outside of his passion for music he enjoys playing golf and when off tour he can be found playing on the town's course. Tom is also an avid supporter of Dundee Football Club. Although his occupation has brought him to public notice he endeavors to maintain his privacy.