I’ve quit Spandau... it’s True
Singer Tony Hadley leaves in bitter spat
TONY Hadley has quit Spandau Ballet amid a bitter spat with his bandmates.
The singer, 57, announced his departure on Twitter yesterday, saying: “Due to circumstances beyond my control, it is with deep regret that I am no longer a member of the band Spandau Ballet and as such I will not be performing with the band in the future.”
A source said that Hadley, who sang on the 1980s band’s hits including True, had faced an ultimatum to take part in the group or leave. But bandmates Martin and Gary Kemp, Steve Norman and John Keeble were said to have been taken by surprise by yesterday’s announcement.
The source said: “The first they knew of it was when they read it on Twitter like everyone else.”
The announcement came two days after Hadley performed a number of the group’s hits at the Let’s Rock festival in Exeter on Saturday. The source added: “The band were offered a string of lucrative opportunities that Tony didn’t want to be involved with. He opted to focus on his solo career, meaning everyone missed out. Things have festered over the past year or so and relations have been at an all-time low.”
The four remaining members later responded to Hadley’s announcement, saying: “We have now made the decision to move on as a band.”
Spandau Ballet have been dogged by legal battles over the years, causing underlying tensions between the members.
SO Tony Hadley is heading Through the Barricades as he calls time on his glittering Spandau Ballet career.
It’s a shame that the singer leaves the muchloved 1980s pop group amid claims of bitter infighting – but he knows we’ll always cherish him as a star worth his weight in Gold.