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YouTubeGary Kemp: Early Life & Musical Beginnings
Gary Kemp was born in London, growing up in the working-class district of Islington. From an early age, he showed an interest in music, heavily influenced by the British rock and pop explosion of the 1960s and 70s. Inspired by the likes of David Bowie and Roxy Music, Gary and his younger brother Martin developed a passion for music.
Enter Spandau Ballet
While attending school, Gary met future Spandau Ballet members Steve Norman, John Keeble, and Tony Hadley. In the mid-1970s, punk and new wave were on the rise, but Gary envisioned something different—an innovative, stylish sound that would define an entire era.
The New Romantic Movement
Debut Album: Journeys to Glory
In 1980, Spandau Ballet released their debut album, Journeys to Glory. With Gary as the band’s primary songwriter, they blended synth-driven melodies, artful aesthetics, and danceable rhythms. Their early hits likeTo Cut A Long Story Short and Musclebound positioned them as pioneers of the New Romantic sound. However, it was their third album, True (1983), that propelled them to international superstardom. True – the album’s title track, became a classic, reaching No. 1 in the UK and No. 4 on the US charts. Other hits like Gold cemented Spandau Ballet as one of the biggest British pop acts of the decade.
Throughout the 1980s, Kemp led the band through a string of successful albums, including Parade (1984) and Through the Barricades (1986), showcasing his evolving songwriting and lyrical depth. However, tensions within the band grew, and by 1990, Spandau Ballet disbanded amid disputes over songwriting royalties.
Acting Career: The Krays & Beyond
Following Spandau Ballet’s breakup, Gary Kemp transitioned into acting, landing a major role in the 1990 crime drama The Krays. He starred alongside his brother, Martin Kemp, in the true-life story of London gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray. The film was both a critical and commercial success, establishing Gary as a serious actor.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Kemp took on various film and TV roles, appearing in productions such as The Bodyguard (1992), Killing Zoe (1993), and Dog Eat Dog (2001). His ability to reinvent himself beyond music demonstrated his versatility as an artist.
Solo Music Career & Spandau Ballet’s Return
In 1995, Kemp released his debut solo album, Little Bruises, showcasing a more introspective, acoustic-driven style. Meanwhile, after years of legal battles and personal differences, Spandau Ballet reunited in 2009 for a successful world tour and the album Once More. The reunion was short-lived, and Tony Hadley left the band for good in 2017, marking the definitive end of Spandau Ballet.
Second Solo Album
In 2021, Gary released INSOLO, his second solo album. This project reflected his personal and musical journey with influences from Bowie, The Beatles, and classic British rock.
This Destination
2025 has seen the release of Gary’s third solo album, This Destination. It’s his most personal to date and sees Gary channel his own thoughts and feelings about the past, present, and future. The album is semi-autobiographical and is the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to songcraft. It features backing vocals by longtime collaborators Toby Chapman and bassist, Guy Pratt – who handled rhythm section duties for Pink Floyd circa 1987 onward. Lyrically it offers a journey in discovery for Kemp who, in the years following the pandemic, hit an unexpected wall of anxiety and a lapse in self-belief.
Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt: Rockonteurs
Gary Kemp also co-hosts the popular Rockonteurs podcast with Guy Pratt. The show, like A Breath of Fresh Air dives deep into the stories behind legendary artists and albums
This Post Has 2 Comments
The podcast was an interesting listen but almost more for what wasn’t said than what was. How can Gary Kemp have gone through the entire interview and not once mentioned the band’s lead singer by name?! He make’s one oblique reference to writing songs for someone else to sing but that’s it. He must really hate or at least still hold a deep seated grudge against Tony Hadley. Was it a total ego clash? Does Kemp feel Hadley was getting too much credit for Spandau Ballet’s success when he was the one who was writing the songs? I would have liked to have heard that from the horse’s mouth. Did Kemp agree to come on the podcast as long as he wasn’t asked about the lead singer who’s very name shall not be mentioned? Or am I reading too much into it? I’ll be interested to know if Sandy sought Tony Hadley’s view on all this while he was touring Australia recently.
I am 64 years old and lived through the 80’s ! It was the best times and the greatest decade for music ! Spandau Ballet was my all time favourite band from that era! I still love their music to this day !