REUNITED members (from left) Steve Norman, Martin Kemp, Tony Hadley, Gary Kemp and John Keeble
Following Spandau Ballet’s dissolution in 1990, Steve Norman, the group’s saxophonist, went on with his own career, collaborating with numerous artists and producers, and, at times, playing past hits with other musicians.
But they never sounded the same.
For 20 years, the men of the English new wave band were estranged. And in that period of animosity, compounded by a nasty legal dispute over song royalties in 1999, Norman realized that each member—Tom Hadley (vocals), Gary Kemp (guitar), Martin Kemp (bass) and John Keeble (drums)—has his own irreplaceable quality.
“You take away one member and you take away a part of the Spandau sound,” Norman told the Inquirer in a recent e-mail interview.
But in a surprising turn of events, the five decided to set aside their differences and embark on a world tour. One of the most successful acts of the 1980s, the band released such enduring hits as “True” and “Gold.”
“The first song we played together after almost two decades was ‘I’ll Fly For You’…Now there’s a certain magic and energy,” said Norman.
According to him, Spandau Ballet remains a “creative force to be reckoned with.” “The band is at the top of its game as far as musicianship is concerned.”
As part of its tour, “Soul Boys of the Western World”—also the title of a recent documentary on the group —Spandau Ballet will hold a concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The show is presented by Ovation Productions in association with Dainty Group Asia. For tickets, call SM Tickets at 4702222.
Who made the first move in resolving your differences?
It was Martin who made the first move. He came with a mutual friend to see me in Ibiza for a night, and got drunk together. We never actually fell out, we rekindled our friendship.
Gary then visited. It took more time [for me to warm up to him] as I was a little wary after what had happened. But we eventually became friends again, almost like what we were when we were teenagers. Tony soon came on board, but not after a lot of diplomatic to and fro-ing with John. The history we made and shared together as young men were well worth fighting for.
What did the estrangement make you realize about the band?
When I first met Gary after the long hiatus, I realized that he wasn’t the monster I had imagined him to have turned into. I became embittered to a certain degree…But when we reformed, I realized, throughout our years apart, that I really missed those guys. I love them like brothers and it was painful for me that they were no longer in my life.
The documentary gives a glimpse of the band’s early days at Blitz. What do you miss most about those times?
I look back with great fondness. The band was on the crest of a wave and we rode it with the arrogance of youth. It was the most exciting of times to say the least. I can’t say that I miss those times, though, as I have the opportunity to relive them every night onstage.
Do you mind being seen by people as a nostalgia act, and are you working on new material?
We are keen not to be seen as a retro act, but our connection to the ’80s is inescapable. We are very much forward-looking. We recorded three new tracks with Trevor Horn last year and will record new material soon.
How’s the tour coming along so far?
I never tire of playing any of the songs in our set since there’s always something interesting happening onstage or between us, musically. The fans all over the world feel this, and their response has been phenomenal.
Anything you’re looking forward to in the Philippines?
I visited some years ago with Tony and John. It wasn’t Spandau Ballet, of course, but we did perform a few of the band’s songs. I was touched by the audience’s response and I’m looking forward to sharing the love with them. It will be a veritable Spandau celebration.
(apolicarpio@inquirer.com.ph)