Gary Kemp, born in Islington, London in October 1959, received his first guitar on his 10th birthday from his parents, setting the stage for his future musical endeavors. Alongside his younger brother Martin, Gary attended Anna Scher's acting school in the 1970s to hone their drama skills.
Gary's passion for music led him to form "The Makers" in 1978, with his brother Martin replacing Richard Miller on bass after the latter's departure. The group's name was subsequently changed to Spandau Ballet.
A breakthrough came in March 1980 when the band was featured in a documentary on ITV, which sparked a frenzy among record companies. Chrysalis Records ultimately signed Spandau Ballet due to the lucrative offer, and the band went on to enjoy a decade of success with hits such as "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).
Following the conclusion of Spandau Ballet's 1987 tour, Gary and Martin decided to pursue acting once more. They auditioned for roles in The Krays (1990) and appeared as "Ronald" and "Reggie" in 1989. This marked the beginning of the end for Spandau Ballet, as the group eventually disbanded.
Throughout the 1990s, Gary continued to act, with a notable appearance in The Bodyguard (1992). In 1999, he was involved in a high-profile court battle over £1,000,000 royalties against his former bandmates John Keeble, Steve Norman, and Tony Hadley. Gary ultimately emerged victorious.
However, in March 2009, all five members of Spandau Ballet put aside their differences and announced a truce, revealing plans for a world tour later that year.
