Biography
Gary Kemp was born in Islington, London in October 1959. On his 10th birthday, he got his first guitar from his parents. In the 70s, he and his younger brother, Martin Kemp, went to learn drama at Anna Scher's acting school. Then, in 1978, Gary Kemp formed "The Makers". After Richard Miller left, his brother replaced him on bass. That's when Gary changed the name to Spandau Ballet. Spandau's break came in March 1980 when they were filmed for a documentary on ITV. When the documentary was broadcast, the record companies were bursting out of their ears. They chose to sign to Chrysalis, as they were offered the most money. For 10 years, they had hits like "To Cut a Long Story Short" (1980), "Chant No. 1 (I don't need this pressure on)" (1981), "True" (1983), "Gold" (1983), "Only When You Leave" (1984) and "Through the Barricades" (1986). After Spandau Ballet completed a tour in 1987, Gary and Martin decided to go into acting once again. They auditioned for the part in The Krays (1990) and, in 1989, they played "Ronald" and "Reggie". Soon afterwards this, Spandau Ballet would split. During the '90s, Gary continued to act, most notably playing a part in The Bodyguard (1992). In 1999, Gary was involved in a court battle over £1,000,000 royalties against John Keeble, Steve Norman and Tony Hadley, his 3 other bandmates. Gary won the case. However, in March 2009, all 5 members of Spandau Ballet called a truce, and they announced on the HMS Belfast in London that they would be reuniting for a world tour later in the year.
Filmography (52)
Bowie: The Final Act
2025
I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol
2025
Live Aid at 40: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World
2025
Beyond The Alps
2024
The Making of Do They Know It's Christmas?
2024
The Kemps: All Gold
2023
Blitzed: The 80's Blitz Kids Story
2022
Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets - Live At The Roundhouse
2020
The Kemps: All True
2020
TV Story Superstar
2020
Assassin
2015
Molly Moon and the Incredible Book of Hypnotism
2015
Spandau Ballet - LIVE at Wiltern Theatre
2015
Soul Boys of the Western World
2014
Spandau Ballet: True Gold
2014
Art Is...
2013
David Bowie & The Story of Ziggy Stardust
2012
Perspectives
2011
The Rapture
2010
Spandau Ballet: The Reformation Tour 2009 - Live at the O2
2010
O Melhor do Flash Back - 92 Clipes Para Recordar
2009
Spandau Ballet - Gold: The Best Video of
2008
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
2007
The One Show
2006
African Megaflyover
2005
Girls and Boys - Sex and British Pop
2005
Murder Investigation Team
2003
Dog Eat Dog
2001
The New Romantics: A Fine Romance
2001
Murder in Mind
2001
Where Are They Now?
1999
Take Out the Beast
1995
Magic Hunter
1994
Killing Zoe
1993
The Big Story
1993
The Bodyguard
1992
Paper Marriage
1992
Ice Pawn
1992
The Larry Sanders Show
1992
Later... with Jools Holland
1992
The Krays
1990
Spandau Ballet: Live from the N.E.C.
1990
Spandau Ballet - Live from the N.E.C.
1986
Casualty
1986
Live Aid
1985
Friday People
1985
Wogan
1982
Champs-Elysées
1982
The BRIT Awards
1977
Hide and Seek
1972
Never Go with Strangers
1971
The Story of Quadrophenia