Tony Hadley has poured cold water on hopes of a Spandau Ballet reunion, firmly stating that he doesn’t see the iconic band getting back together. The former frontman, now 65, walked away from the group in 2017, citing “circumstances beyond my control,” and he’s been focused on his solo career ever since.
Speaking to Classic Pop magazine, Hadley was caught off guard by recent comments from ex-bandmate Gary Kemp, who expressed interest in a reunion tour. “Really? That’s news to me,” Tony replied bluntly, making it clear that he hasn’t spoken to Kemp, Martin Kemp, or John Keeble in eight years. “Steve [Norman] is the only one I’m vaguely in contact with,” he added.
Despite acknowledging the good times they once shared, Hadley said the band’s final tour was marred by John Keeble’s illness, which changed the dynamic and made it difficult to continue. He emphasized there’s no lingering bitterness, but he’s simply moved on. “I wish Gary, Martin, and John well, but I’m happy doing what I’m doing. I love the freedom I have now—the fact I can go from a bit of swing to a bit of rock. You can’t do that within the confines of a band.”
Looking back on their 1983 smash hit Gold, Tony still finds joy in performing it, even if he occasionally blanks out on the lyrics mid-performance. “I will suddenly come to and think: ‘God, what’s the second verse?’ So I get around it by going, ‘Right, you lot can sing it…’” he joked. But he still doesn’t understand why the band didn’t perform Gold during their Live Aid set in 1985, chalking it up to the band’s concern about replicating its orchestral sound live. “Whatever the reason, it didn’t make any sense to me.”
With more than four decades in music, Hadley credits his enduring career to one major asset—his voice. “I’ve always had a big voice and it’s always sounded like me. That gives me an identity, whether you like my voice or not.” While he respects technical vocalists, he says that’s not his focus. “Loads of singers are technically better, but that’s not what I’m interested in.”
For now, Tony Hadley remains fully committed to his solo path—and it looks like fans hoping for a Spandau Ballet reunion may have to accept that the curtain has truly closed.
