The news hot of the music press here in the UK is that 80s supergroup Spandau Ballet have finally buried the hatchet and are reuniting for a tour which will kick off aboard HMS Belfast where the band first performed back in 1979.
Spandau Ballet split up in 1989 after relationships between the band members began to deteriorate. All the Spandau Ballet songs, of which True is the most famous, were written by guitarist Gary Kemp. However, the other band members, excluding Gary’s brother Martin, claimed that Gary had promised them a share of the royalties, a claim he subsequently disputed. The argument went to court and eventually it ruled in favour of Gary. This left the other band members facing huge legal bills and on the edge of financial ruin.
So it’s not surprising that this reunion has come as a big shock to many despite the recent success of other 80s and 90s band reunions like The Police and Take That. Even their former boss at Chryslis records is quoted as saying ‘Every band on the way down is a band on the way up. But I never thought I’d see this one. Once, they couldn’t stand to be in the same room together, let alone play.”
Whatever their reasons, pecuniary or otherwise there will be many, like me, pleased at this reunion. I followed Spandau Ballet’s career from their very first album Journeys to Glory to their peak at Live Aid and through their acrimonious demise. Regrettably, I never got to see them live and I don’t think I’ll get to see them on their stadium tour this time around either. But as my preference is for more intimate locations I’m not complaining, I’m just pleased to see these five really talented performers doing to what they do best again – make music.
Today, I’m playing one of my favourite Spandau songs, the 1986 hit Through The Barricades. This was perhaps a period which saw Spandau maturing as performers and producing some really memorable songs. I’ve seen Tony Hadley perform this song several times during his solo career at The Stables and let me tell you he really does have a fabulous voice; he can sing just about anything!
I just hope that Spandau really can put the past behind them and with their combined talents bring us many more years of musical pleasure with both new songs and old.
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9 responses
I remember True, but this song is new to me. You can hear the unique sound of this group right away!
Hi Jane, you over here singing with me???
Hi Mrs T!!
Happy Music Monday! 🙂 I love “True” by Spandau Ballet and was looking forward to this song which I haven’t heard of. Too bad for me that his “video is not avalaible in your country or domain”. 🙁 🙁
I guess I should just check it out somewhere else then. 🙂
anyways, have a great Monday and a great week ahead! 🙂
ohhhhhh I love this number too!!! It’s been ages since I last heard this one, awesome MM pick! :):):)
Oh no! Not a Spandau Ballet reunion! lol! In the States they only had a few big hits. I remember True in particular. This one was new to me! Hope their reunion is as good as you’d like!
I was wondering who was going to break down first and post these guys. I’ve contemplated it in the past. I really liked them back in the day. “True,” of course. But I also like “Gold, Communication, and Only when you leave.” This is a nice ballad as well. I don’t remember it much though. I’ll have to go back and check my music library… 🙂 Thanks!
Hiya Speedy,
Yes the do have a unique sound – that sax is a giveaway eh?
I’ll be over later for a sing song!
Shemah,
Oh that’s bad luck! It’s happened to me a couple of times and it’s very frustrating. It’ll be worth you tubing for another glimpse though – especially as that Tony’s a bit of a dish!
Maurica,
Thanks! It’s great to see the boys back together. and I think they’ll be plenty of new tunes!
Yeah AMH615 – A Spandau Reunion! Yee haa:)))
Mr I,
Yep, I broke down – when I heard the news it was too much for an old gal to bear – I had to post!
“Gold” and “Only when you leave” are other favourites of mine too. But their early stuff is good too -different – more “of the time” but still a sound which is specfically their own.
Hi it’s me B****! Sorry…don’t hate me but I just wanted to say I saw Spandau live at the South Bank many moons ago. Interesting though I never knew the story behind the break up but good to hear they’re back – we ought to get tickets for the Mum’s Brigade. Don’t suppose they’ll ever be scheduled for little old LB Theatre though. Possible they may reach MK? I wouldn’t mind the trip into London though. It would be worth it to hear “barricades” again.
Lynda.x
NOOOOO!! It’s not fair! You’ve see them perform, Mrs A has met Tony, so has another friend’s husband…poor, poor Mrs T…..
Well I’m game for a trip! Let’s see where thry announce their dates…I’m not keen on really big venues though. Maybe they’ll be something a little smaller…
NOOOOO!! It’s not fair! You’ve see them perform, Mrs A has met Tony, so has another friend’s husband…poor, poor Mrs T…..
Well I’m game for a trip! Let’s see where thry announce their dates…I’m not keen on really big venues though. Maybe they’ll be something a little smaller…