Tony Hadley is massively appreciative of his continued success as he celebrates 40 years of Spandau Ballet’s classic album ‘True’.
With the group, the vocalist dominated the charts worldwide throughout the eighties, with their 1983 LP delivering global hits with True and Gold.
Flash forward four decades and Tony continues to enjoy a successful career as a solo artist, with a busy schedule of live dates throughout the summer and plans for his first solo album in eight years in 2024.
Reflecting on his career to date, he tells RETROPOP’s May 2023 issue: “At 20 I had my first hit record with the band and you kind of think, ‘How long is it gonna last?’
“Then all of a sudden, in the blink of an eye, you’re 62,” he laughs, revealing his forthcoming album harks back to some of Spandau Ballet’s biggest hits.
“Some of the album is quite anthemic – it’s always going to be a little bit anthemic because I like that kind of style,” he muses, “but there’s also a beautiful lullaby that was written about my daughter, which is just lovely, so not everything has to be a hit single.”
Recent singles Obvious and Because Of You are set to feature, along with Alibi – a song Tony has been trialling during his live gigs.
“You have to make new music whether the fans want it or not. You have to do it for your own sanity,” he reflects. “What I don’t want to become is my own tribute band. That would be really wrong.”
It’s not just music that Tony’s working on; having acted in London’s West End, the hitmaker is eyeing a starring role on the big screen and says offers have already come in that he’s seriously considering.
“I’d love to do a Hollywood film – and that’s something that might happen this year. I’d like to do a little bit of acting, it might be quite interesting,” he says, revealing, “There are some scripts that I’ve been offered, that I’m looking at and thinking, ‘Wow, do I do this?’
“I did Billy Flynn in the West End for three months, which is one thing, but being on film is another thing altogether. And I hate myself on camera. I never look back at old pictures or videos – I can’t think of anything worse. And I never listen to old Tony Hadley or Spandau Ballet albums, unless I have to for reference. Once I’m done, I move on…”
Whatever comes next, he’s grateful to still be working in a business he loves. “After four decades, you still feel like the kid in the sweet shop. It’s like, ‘Wow, I’m living the dream.’ You have to pinch yourself every now and again,” he beams. “You get to the point where people are saying, ‘The legend that is Tony Hadley,’ and I’m like, ‘I’m not old enough to be a legend!’ But it’s sweet and I’m just really lucky to have survived in such a cutthroat business.
“Also, I’m not remotely qualified for anything else – you wouldn’t want me being a heating engineer or a plumber! So I’ll just stick to the music.”
Tony Hadley will play live dates across the UK throughout 2023, including a stop at the Holmfirth Picturedrome on June 15. Tickets are on sale now.
Read the full interview in the May 2023 edition of RETROPOP, out now. Order yours or subscribe via our Online Store, use our Store Finder to locate your nearest stockist, or get Digital Copies delivered direct to your devices.
