2009 Interview

A 2009 interview with Steve, Gary and John has recently appeared on YouTube. It is in 6 parts and can be found by following the links below. 

For most, there's nothing particularly "new" in this 20 minute chat but its always great to see the guys together reminiscing about the past. However, its even more interesting when they talk of future Spandau projects, and this is something they touch on here. On a personal note I was delighted to hear Gary say his favourite re-worked track on the 'Once More' album was 'She Love like Diamond'. I totally agree! It was always a fantastic song and I was always amazed as to how it flopped back in 1982. The latest version really is outstanding and for me was one of the highlights when played on the Reformation Tour.

Hopefully there will be some news really soon of "plans" for next year. There seems to have been a lot of "get togethers" recently in particular between Gary and John which MUST be a good sign. It is worth noting that May 2013 will be the 30th anniversary of 'TRUE' reaching number one in the UK single chart. I'm sure that we will see the band do "something" to commemorate this! We live in hope.

Watch this space!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbv85MHa8fM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&v=MW-IeU4avJ4&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGW4SBn6iAg&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ddCkuUtOyw&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yb9Ip3ZtCjY&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNI2MxACNr4&feature=relmfu

Cockney Rebel?

24th November sees Steve Norman performing alongside Steve Harley and a full symphony orchestra at Birmingham's Symphony Hall. 

Interviewed recently, Steve Harley said "With several tracks needing a sax solo played like the originals, and other sax parts occurring throughout the albums - some within the orchestral arrangement - we really needed a great player. One with genuine élan and a rock and soul attitude. I've long been a Steve Norman admirer and it means a great deal to me to know he'll be playing my songs on stage that very special night."

Should be a great night. Sadly however, as one would expect - its completely sold out!

Look Familiar?

Twitter followers of Gary Kemp will no doubt already be aware that his eldest son Fin and his partner Charlotte Mallory have written and recorded a fantastic song by the name of Way To The Heart. Fin and Charlotte have also produced an exceptionally good video to accompany the song. We wish them all the luck in the world with it. I personally think its excellent and hope to hear more soon. The video can be viewed here

The 80s According To Gary Kemp!

Take a trip down memory lane and recall the significance of the '80s on the music scene. Speakers include Gary Kemp and Pauline Black (lead singer of The Selector, song writer, broadcaster and author). The event chaired by Robert Elms was recorded in front of a live audience and can be listened to here.

Very interesting to here all viewpoints and Gary as ever speaks with great enthusiasm of his background and the part working class culture payed in the creation of a decade that has become remembered, in my opinion incorrectly, for decadence and greed.

2013 Tour????

Make your own minds up, but this sounds very much like the guys are about to begin talking about the next tour! My guess would be a tour in Autumn 2013 which would give Mr Hadley ample time to finish and promote his new album.

Follow Gary and john on Twitter @garyjkemp and @RockGod667

Spandau Lighting Man Deserves Olympic GOLD!

The eagle eyed among you may have spotted the name of the lighting designer who was responsible for the incredible lighting which added to Fridays opening ceremony 'spectacle'. Older fans may remember the name Patrick Woodroffe. Patrick first worked with Spandau Ballet back in 1986 when he was responsible for the "Varilight" used on the Through Barricades tour. He also designed the lighting for the Reformation shows in 2009/10. 


For the last 30 years Patrick has provided the lighting for many rock stars, actors, opera stars, ballet dancers, hip hop performers, reigning monarchs and desert sheiks. In the world of contemporary music alone he has lit shows for artists as diverse as ABBA and AC/DC, Bob Dylan and Sarah Brightman, Depeche Mode and The Bee Gees, Raquel Welch, 10CC and the Rolling Stones.


In addition to his work in live performances he has been responsible for many important architectural lighting schemes, including the lighting of the gardens at Highgrove House for  The Prince of Wales, Prague Castle for President Havel, and The Millenium Dome in London. He conceived and lit the Lake of Dreams son-et-lumiere at The Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.


Patrick will also be at the lighting helm for the Olympic closing ceremony along with both ceremonies got the Paralympics later in the month.

Hide And Seek

Another great find!


I've hunted for this film for years. Finally I've found it! The full length version of the 1972 (in several 10 minute parts)  Childrens Film Foundation production - Hide And Seek. 


The film stars Gary Kemp, Roy Dotrice, Robin Askwith and Alan Lake. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpvEP2jI6f8

Gary Kemp's First Musical Appearance On TV

Ive recently found this fantastic full version of Gary Kemp and Phil Daniels performing "Sandman" by America on a childrens TV programme from 1975. The show was called "You Must Be Joking" and features a lot of the Anna Scher kids from the period. Many of these kids are now household names including Pauline Quirke and of course Gary Kemp and Phil Daniels! 

For some reason the original video I uploaded below wouldn't play so check it out on YouTube here

Lady to Assist in Spandau Return?


Another strange platform for Gary Kemps latest interview!

I bet the boy from Rotherfield Street never thought he'd be interviewed by "The Lady"

Click here to go to The Lady

JK Hints At Spandau Return

John Keeble has hinted in a tweet to David Cox (Spandau's publicist) that Spandau Ballet will reform.

Follow John at @RockGod667

Follow David @djcox

www.twitter.com

Thanks To Clare Grogan

There are two reason the world would be a far worse place without having had Clare Grogan grace it with her presence. Firstly she's extremely "easy on the eye" and someone who certainly appealed greatly to me as a young teenager. However, as Gary Kemp explains in this Guardian article (as well as a large chapter in his autobiography), the bands greatest selling tune, True, was written about her. I bet Clare wishes she'd received some of the huge royalties amassed over the years from the song. Currently its been played in excess of FIVE MILLION times on US radio alone!


http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2012/may/14/how-we-made-true-spandau-ballet?newsfeed=true

Tribute To David Band

Artist, David Band, who designed and painted many covers for Spandau albums and singles sadly died in April 2011 at the tender age of 51. Davids work will be the subject of a ,memorial exhibition at Glasgow School of Art on Saturday 23rd June 2012.

David not only produced artwork for Spandau Ballet, but was also produced work for Altered Images, Aztec Camera and Joan Armatrading among others. 

A hugely talented artist sadly missed

http://www.thecloth.co.uk/

Almost There!

Well - Its been over two years since we saw this many of the chaps together in the same room. Sadly we're one very important member "lite". Good to see JK seemingly "back in the fold". Hopefully he can work his magic on his old mate and persuade him to get back in the studio and record some new tunes!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2146313/Spandau-Ballet-reunite-celebrate-Gary-Kemps-Ivor-Novello-win--minus-frontman-Tony-Hadley.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Hero Worship - Gary Presents Tribute To Ziggy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00rrvv9 or http://soundcloud.com/spandau-ballet/ziggy-changed-my-life-gary

A fantastic tribute from Gary to his hero. Without the guy there'd have been no Spandau! I wonder if one day someone will present a tribute to Gary. Maybe the program could be entitled "Listening To Gary All Night Long"! 

Gary Talks To Betty Brisk

Click to view full Sun interview

What I See In The Mirror

What I See In The Mirror

Gary Kemp must be a regular dinner party guest with a Guardian journalist at the moment. This is the second or third seemingly "out of the blue" articles published recently about the Spandau Ballet songwriter. 


I have to say, I'm with him on the receeding hairline problem. Furthermore I think he looks cooler now than he did back "in the day". Make your own mind up!