After Dinner Speakers: Tony Hadley, Magnus Magnusson, Ross Noble

There are very few singers existing today that have the depth and individual character within their voice that enables the listener to immediately identify the artist. Tony Hadley, the former lead singer with Spandau Ballet is undoubtedly one of those singers. He is of course known firstly for his work during the 80's with the group that shot to fame, Spandau Ballet and also for his solo work both as a writer and singer throughout the 90's and into 2000. But, the history goes back a bit further than that. Tony was born at the Royal Free Maternity Hospital situated near the Angel in the heart of Islington, London, England. His first encounter with singing was at his primary school Clerkenwell Parochial where hymn singing every morning at assembly was the norm, under the ever watching eyes of Sister Edna and Sister Constance. In the latter part of his primary school though Tony was totally fascinated not with singing but biology and surgery (probably due to a serious bone marrow infection at the age of 10) and singing really wasn't the first thing on his mind although being a surgeon was. This was slowly going to change as hormones kicked in and his mum Jo and dad Pat bought him a tape recorder and along with his first ever album the 'World of David Bowie' it's been downhill ever since (sorry Tone, joke) Just think what the NHS has missed out on. From this point on, music, ambition and Tony's continued development and interest in singing was to take over his life more and more; The culmination being his first public performance while on holiday at the age of 13/14 singing Lady Madonna acapella in front of 400 people but unfortunately forgetting the words halfway through (an incident sure to crop up again) but even given the situation, the audience applauded, he signed his first autograph, was congratulated on his voice and managed to attract and go out with the most beautiful girl. This really was the turning point and it's from this point on that singing and performing professionally would be Tony's consumed and sole ambition. After many solo performances singing such songs as Young Girl, With a Little Help My Friends, and Sunshine of My Life etc. Toney joined his first band at Dame Alice Owens school potters bar in 1976. The band was called The Roots and contrary to what certain people would have you believe, this group consisting of Tony Hadley, John Keeble, Steve Norman, Gary Kemp and Michael Ellisson was the forerunner of several bands that eventually led to Spandau Ballet. Tony Hadley, John Keeble, Steve Norman and Gary Kemp had always been the core members of several groups i.e. The Cut, The Makers and The Gentry. The group's second base player was to be Richie Miller and the third base player to join when they were The Gentry was of course Martin Kemp. With the formation of Spandau Ballet in 1978 and the solid band line up plus years of experience playing pubs and clubs for twenty-five quid and a pint of lager, Tony and the band were sure that given their new Synth/Funk sound and the changing club scene that their time to be signed to a record company was imminent. The dream would come true and the band finally signed to Chrysalis Records on the 10th October 1980 in the afternoon Tony albeit in a celebratory mood, sang the vocals for their first hit (To Cut A Long Story Short) that went against everyone's expectations to the giddy heights of No. 5 in the UK charts. The band Spandau Ballet - Tony Hadley (leading vocals) John Keeble (drums) Steve Norman (sax/percussion) and Gary Kemp (guitar) Martin Kemp (bass guitar) would of course go on to have worldwide success and would continue to record until 1990. Unfortunately the split and the following years have been somewhat acrimonious. But still Tony is proud of the band's achievements and the good times were great times and even today Tony still comprises within his solo set several Spandau Ballet favourites including True, Gold and his personal favourite Through the Barricades. Spandau Ballet were to tour the world and had major international successes most not ably with True! That became a No. 1 hit not only in the UK but in 20 countries around the world. Spandau Ballet will be remembered for their unique sound, great songs, their ability to change musically and of course last but not least their rather interesting fashion sense i.e. New Romantics. I think most people would also agree that a major part of that Spandau Ballet sound undoubtedly came from the unique vocal style of Tony Hadley's voice. After the disolvement of Spandau Ballet in 1990, Tony eventually embarked on solo career signing to EMI records & recording his first album "The State of Play"! After leaving EMI Tony formed his own record company SlipStream records and his first release was to be the much acclaimed single "Build Me up" from the film "When Saturday Comes"! Shortly after that in December 1996 Tony embarked on an orchestral tour of Europe along with Joe Cocker, Paul Michiels, Dani Klein and Guo Yue playing to 500.000 people in 6 weeks. On his return from that incredibly successful tour, Tony signed a joint deal with PolyGram TV and released his next solo album that showed a side of Tony Hadley that some people didn't know existed. Beautiful covers and sensitive songs that matched Tony's voice brilliantly, along of course with some of his own self penned songs such as "She", the song that Tony wrote for his daughter Toni. Along with songs such as "Maybe You And I" co-written with his friend and keyboard player Phil Taylor, and the gorgeous love song "Dance with Me" this album really is a great collection of beautifully arranged performances. To plug the gap between studio albums Tony also released a live album recorded in just one night at the now sadly closed "Ronnie Scott's" in Birmingham called "Obsession". He has also collaborated in the past and present with various dance acts and DJs such as Tin Tin Out, Eddie Lock, Marc et Claude, Reggie Penxton (Milk Inc.) and the Disco Bros. Tony as everyone knows love to play live and has done so all over the world, playing alongside with people such as Alice Cooper, Paul Young, Jon Anderson, Brian May etc. and this arena will continue to absorb him even more. The permanent band line up is of course his old friend and compadre John Keeble (drums), Phil Taylor (keys), Phil Williams (bass), Richie Barrett (guitar), and spellbound Angie Grant and Shelley Preston to backing vocals. And all these brilliant musicians will feature on Tony's long awaited third studio album "Lobsters and Limousines". It's a long wait but Tony assures me this will be a fantastic collection of original songs written or co-written by him, and performed in his own inimitable style. Tony Hadley is a vocalist and performer geared towards and excited by his future. It's a career that has now spanned 22 years and despite numerous ups and downs (that he assures me makes him a stronger person) it is a remarkable achievement to have survived and carved a formidable name for himself, not only as a singer whose voice seems to be getting stronger, but as a writer and consummate concert performer. I'd say his future looks bright.