Tony Cowell
Tony Hadley, 57, opens up about his humble childhood, leaving Spandau Ballet and why he’s enjoying his newfound freedom
You work really hard – does that work ethic come from your parents? Pretty much. I am a workaholic, and my dad was, too. He left school at 14, and joined the RAF two years later. He was tasked with loading bombs on to the famous Lancaster bombers. He was from a working-class family in north London, and I always looked up to him. Sadly, he died of a heart attack when I was 30. I still miss him today, but at least he lived to see my success with Spandau. He was very proud.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Fantastic. It was very simple growing up in the early 60s. There were still bomb sites left over from WWII, which we used to play in. Life in London was very different then – we all knew each other on the street, it was a very close community. We didn’t have much money, but we were happy. My first job was in the local dairy, stacking shelves for 50p an hour. I always dreamed of being a doctor, but I was terrible at maths and chemistry.
Were your parents musical?
My dad played the violin. I remember going on holiday with him to Pontins, and he would do a turn on his violin. Later, when I was about 14 years old, I started going in for the singing competitions they held. So, it was my dad who inspired me to have a career in music. What sort of music was playing in your house growing up? Loads of Frank Sinatra and Jack Jones! My mum loved Ella Fitzgerald, still does. Then, as I got older, I started listening to people like Carole King, The Carpenters and Elton John. Every Sunday, while mum was getting the lunch ready, there would always be music playing in the house.
Are you excited about your new solo album?
Excited and terrified at the same time. This album has been a long time in the making, and I’ve put my heart and soul into it – as well as my own money. So it’s been a labour of love. I’m very proud of it. Now, I hope other people like it.
Did you have a hand in the songwriting?
I did, yes. I also have two great songs on the album written by a guy called Toby Gad. He wrote If I Was A Boy for Beyoncé – so with that pedigree, I was very lucky he wanted to write some songs for me.
What Am I addresses your departure from Spandau, was that hard to write?
Not really, but it’s also a song about being honest with
yourself about who you are. That was the premise of the song, really. But I suppose my departure from the band did inspire it.
Are there times when you miss being part of the band?
Not so much, no. People don’t realise just how far back Spandau goes. We formed the band at school, when I was 16. So I was in the band for such a big part of my life, and we sold more than 20 million albums. But now, I’m enjoying being a solo singer, to be honest. Spandau will carry on without me because people still love the 80s bands. It’s all about nostalgia.
You famously appeared in an episode of ITV’s Benidorm – how much fun was that?
I’m such a big fan of Benidorm. I’d always really wanted to go on it. I took my wife [Alison] and the kids [Zara and Genevieve], and we had such a great time filming over there. The cast were really good to me, and we had a good laugh. It’s a shame it’s over now – we’ll all miss that show.
You work tirelessly for charity, and are a patron of the Huntington’s Disease Association. How did that come about?
It was a family connection. I try to do my bit for a few charities. It’s not just me – most artists try to give something back.
You went into the I’m A Celebrity... jungle in 2015, would you do it again?
Probably not. I’ve done quite a few different things in my career. I like to challenge myself. I played Billy Flynn in the London production of Chicago. I really enjoyed that, but was terrified on the opening night because I had trouble learning my lines.
What does the future hold – will you focus purely on music?
Probably, yes. But if I was offered the part of Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway, I would have to do it. Otherwise, it’s all about the music. I’m already planning my next album!