Spandau ballet

Creation of the Spandau Ballet. Style Searches

The group was formed in 1976 and was originally called "The Cut". Its founders were Geri Kemp ^[1] (guitar) and Steve Norman (guitar, later - saxophone, percussion) ^[1] , school friends who attended Dame Alice Owen's School in Islington . The motives for creating the group were a community of musical interests and a desire to become musicians. Soon a student of the same school, John Qeeble, joined them. ^{[3] The} three of them started rehearsing in the school hall during a big break. Michael Alisson began to play the bass. Tony Headley ^[1] , who was familiar with Norman, was also invited to the band as the main vocalist. A few months later there were some changes in the composition: Richard Miller became the bass player; Also in the group came the brother of Gerry Kemp - Martin.

After some time, already under the name "Spandau Ballet", the musicians began to perform in London, gaining increasing recognition from the public. The group at that time played music in the style of the early Rolling Stones or The Kinks . After the musicians visited Spandau Ballet, clubs such as Billy's and Blitz, where Kraftwerk and Telex ^[2] often played, began to perform their own compositions using synthesizers.

After a series of suggestions from representatives of the record, the musicians chose Chrysalis Records, with which they signed a contract. The first single was To Cut a Long Story Short, which was released ten days after the musicians appeared in public. The single entered instantly in the British top 5 in 1980 ^{[1] [3]} . The singles “The Freeze” and “Musclebound” also became hits. Journeys to Glory 's debut album was certified Gold in 1981. The album's sound is distinguished by thundering vocals ^[4] , rolling passages on snare drums , a distinct rhythm guitar part and the absence of guitar solos - all of which will later be a common place for New bands romance .

The next album - Diamond was released in 1982; he also received the status of a "golden" disc and contained the single "Chant No. 1 ", in the sound of which the influence of the funky style is noticeable. However, with the release of the following singles, it turned out that interest in the Spandau Ballet in the UK was beginning to subside: “Paint Me Down” reached only 30th place, and “She Loved Like Diamond” did not even get into the top 40. In the United States, on the other hand, there has been some success with the group: Chant No. 1 made it to 17th place on the dance charts. ^[five]

International Recognition

By 1983, Spandau Ballet musicians had invited new producers - Tony Swain and Steve Jolie ^[4] (before that the producer was Richard James Burgess ^[4] ), intending to develop a new, smoother and more pop-oriented sound. Around the same time, Steve Norman switched from guitar to saxophone. In March 1983, the third Spandau Ballet album was released - True , which topped the album charts in many countries around the world; hit singles were songs "Gold" and "True" ^[6] (number 1 in the UK). By the way, "Gold" is present in the game GTA Vice City.

The fourth studio disc - Parade was released in June 1984, singles taken from it were successful on the charts in Europe, Oceania and Canada. The opening song “Only When You Leave” was the band’s last hit in the US ^[1] . At the end of 1984, Spandau Ballet took part in the recording of the single as part of the Band Aid project, and on July 13, 1985 performed at Wembley Stadium in a Live Aid concert ^[7] .

The next work, Through the Barricades (1986), released on WEA / Universal and CBS Records, showed Spandau Ballet's desire to get away from the soul and pop influences of True and Parade and return to rock music ^[4] . This album, as well as the single of the same name and the single “Fight For Ourselves” were popular in Europe and Australia, but not in the USA.

Disintegration and Reunion

In 1989, the order of the half-forgotten group announced its disintegration. In 2005, negotiations were held between the band members about the possibility of reunion (musicians repeatedly sued in the past on the issue of copyright in works), but ended in nothing.

September 25, 2009 release their first single in 20 years. The release of “Once More” took place on November 9, and already 19 there is a new longplay with the same name.

The new Spandau Ballet album includes both new songs and several reworked classic hits. According to guitarist and songwriter Gary Kemp, work on the new material has brought the band together, and the musicians are looking forward to touring in support of the album. “Now we play even better than in previous times. For us, new songs are a way to show that Spandau Ballet returned to the scene not only to play time-tested old hits, but also to challenge the charts with new tracks, ”the musician said.

Concerts of the Reformation Tour reunion tour started in November 2009. In 2010, the group’s catalog was reissued, which, in addition to standard tracks, also included unreleased songs, remixes and live tracks of the group.

Current composition

• Tony Headley - Vocal
• Steve Norman - guitar, saxophone, percussion
• Martin Kemp - Bass
• John Kibley - Drums
• Gary Kemp - Guitar

Former members

• Michael Allison - Bass
• Richard Miller - Bass

Studio albums

• Journeys to Glory (1981)
• Diamond (1982)
• True (1983)
• Parade (1984)
• Through the Barricades (1986)
• Heart Like a Sky - 1989
• Once More - 2009

Compilation

• The Singles Collection - 1985
• The Twelve Inch Mixes - 1986
• The Best of Spandau Ballet - 1991
• The collection 1999
• Original Gold - 2000
• Gold - The Best of Spandau Ballet - 2001
• Reformation 3CD - 2002
• The Collection - 2004
• The Ultra Selection - 2005
• Singles, Rarities & Remixes - 2006

• Official site