Tony Hadley, the renowned vocalist, was born on June 2nd, 1960, in the vibrant London district of Islington. His early years were marked by a fortuitous coincidence, as he attended school alongside his future bandmates, Gary Kemp, John Keeble, Steve Norman, Richard Miller, and Martin Kemp.
The seeds of musical collaboration were sown during this period, and in 1978, the Makers were formed. Tony Hadley took on the role of lead singer, and the group began to take shape. However, the Makers underwent a significant transformation in 1979 when Richard Miller left the band, and Martin Kemp stepped in to replace him. This marked the beginning of a new era, as the group was rebranded as Spandau Ballet.
The 1980s proved to be a transformative period for Spandau Ballet, as they achieved widespread success with iconic hits such as "To Cut A Long Story Short" (1980),"Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)" (1981),"True" (1983),"Only When You Leave" (1984),and "Through The Barricades" (1986). The band's unique blend of style, substance, and musical prowess captivated audiences worldwide, cementing their status as one of the most beloved and enduring acts of the era.
The band's run came to an end in 1990, as each member pursued acting careers and explored new musical directions. Tony Hadley ventured into solo territory, signing a deal in 1992, although he would ultimately struggle to replicate the success he had achieved with Spandau Ballet in the 1980s.
In 1999, a bitter dispute arose when Tony Hadley, John Keeble, and Steve Norman lost a £1,000,000 royalty battle with Gary Kemp. The rift between the former bandmates was deep-seated, and for many years, Tony and Gary did not speak. However, by 2008, they had reconciled their differences, and in 2009, Spandau Ballet finally reformed, embarking on a world tour that would bring their music to a new generation of fans.
