Hadley, Norman and Keeble of Spandau Ballet
UEA LCR, Norwich. By Sean Atkins.
Hadley, Norman and Keeble of Spandau Ballet @ the UEA, Norwich
By Sean Atkins
Hadley, Norman and Keeble may sound like a firm of solicitors but they are actually three fifths of successful 80s band Spandau Ballet.
Tony Hadley, Steve Norman and John Keeble were in court last year in an unsuccessful royalties battle with former band mate and songwriter Gary Kemp.
So it was no surprise that Gary Kemp and brother Martin, who is enjoying a second wave of fame in EastEnders, were not part of this unofficial reunion.
Spandau Ballet, along with Duran Duran and Wham, were among the boy bands of their day.
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The difference was that although they were undeniably commercial they were not manufactured.
They made music to a successful formula but at least they made it themselves.
Gary Kemp may have been largely the brains behind the operation but lead singer Hadley was unmistakably the voice.
Hadley, sax player Norman and drummer Keeble all have solo projects of their own but none have recaptured Spandau Ballet's success.
On this nostalgic tour they promised hits and they delivered.
Besides notable singles True, Gold and Through the Barricades there were plenty of other favourites from the back catalogue.
Only When You Leave, Highly Strung, Lifeline and I'll Fly For You all brought back memories for the teen fans who are now in their 30s and 40s.
“We're not here to sell anything tonight,” said Hadley. No album, no single, no T-shirts – just fun for the sake of it.
