One of the most iconic bands of the New Romantic Era, Spandau Ballet has provided the world with timeless classics such as "Gold" and "True." The Islington, London act was made up mostly of guitarist Gary Kemp, his bassist brother Martin Kemp, sax player Steve Norman, drummer John Keeble, and vocalist Tony Hadley, later succeeded by Ross William Wild.
Schoolmates and Bandmates Inspired by British Post-Punk
Friends and schoolmates Gary Kemp and Steve Norman first decided to create a band after seeing The Sex Pistols perform in 1976. They were later joined by Keeble, Hadley, and Michael Ellison on bass. The band was first named Roots, named after Kemp's original composition, "I've Got Roots," which was among the songs they performed.
When Ellison left, future sax mainstay Steve Norman filled in the bass and changed their name to The Cut and later, The Makers. The post-punk they got from The Sex Pistols and rock icons The Rolling Stones and The Animals became fused with power-pop sounds like those from Small Faces. They soon changed their name to Spandau Ballet, a name that the band's friend and writer Robert Elms saw in Germany.
The Breakthrough Year and Gold
In 1980, one gig led to another, and they eventually played for exclusive venues such as the Scala cinema and the HMS Belfast cruise ship. Spandau would also play its first US gig at New York City's Underground Club. They were also the first UK band to perform at the renowned venue in Ibiza, "Ku Club."
It was also in 1981 that the band released their hit album "Journeys to Glory," followed by "Diamond" in 1982. The band failed to capitalize on the success of "Journeys" as the carrier singles on "Diamond" failed to break through the top 20.
However, by their third album, "True," released in March 1983, the band would start having their first UK chart-topper with the album's title track. It reached No. 4 of the Hot 100 chart, No. 1 in Ireland and Canada, and entered the top five in other countries.
The follow-up single to "True" was also a massive success as "Gold" topped charts everywhere, reached No. 5 in Belgium, Ireland, and Spain and No. 2 in the UK.
Live Aid Concert and Legal Dispute With Chrysalis
In June 1984, the band released their next album, "Parade," to huge commercial success across Europe, as well as Oceania and Canada. In the same year, Spandau Ballet joined other big musical acts Duran Duran, Wham!, and Culture Club in the Band Aid charity single, "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Spandau returned the following year for another charity event, this time performing in the 1985 Live Aid Concert, playing their songs at the Wembley Stadium.
Unfortunately, Spandau Ballet got into a legal dispute with their record label, Chrysalis Records, because it released a platinum-certified greatest hits album, "The Singles Collection," without the band's approval. The band later signed to CBS Records in 1986, where they worked on and released their fifth album, "Through The Barricades."
Promotion of their latest album led to the group's largest European tour so far, "Through The Barricades - Across the Borders." The tour contained six record-breaking performances at Rotterdams' Ahoy Stadium, as well as performances in Wembley and Madrid's Casa de Campo.
The Last Performance, Hiatus, and Reunion
Spandau Ballet played the last performance of their 10th Anniversary Tour before going on a hiatus, allowing the members to pursue other interests.
The Kemp brothers portrayed the notorious gangster twins Ronald and Reginald Kray in the 1990 film "The Krays." Tony Hadley pursued a solo career in Los Angeles, Steve Norman moved to Ibiza to collaborate with local producers, and John Keeble was a session drummer for Hadley before forming his own band.
Almost two decades later, in 2009, rumors of a Spandau Ballet reunion were circulating, which the band promptly confirmed on March 25 aboard HMS Belfast, the venue of one of their earliest gigs. It was soon followed by a sold-out world tour and a new album.
In 2017, Tony Hadley announced that he is no longer a part of Spandau Ballet, prompting the remaining members to move on and call for an audition for the new vocalist, ending with Ross William Wild, who previously performed with Martin Kemp in a musical production.
