Martin Kemp opens up about his time in Spandau Ballet and reflects on the 80s

He revealed what it was really like

Author: Hazel ScottPublished 22nd Nov 2022

Musician, actor and Greatest Hits Radio presenter Martin Kemp has opened up about his new book Ticket To The World: My 80s Story, in which he wrote about how significant the 80s was for him. He has now spoken about how Spandau Ballet formed, as well as what it was like working with his brother Gary Kemp.

The group formed in 1979 and brought out incredible hits like 'Gold' and 'True', before unfortunately splitting in 1990. The band was made up of Martin, Gary, Tony Hadley, Steve Norman and John Keeble.

Martin Kemp

Since leaving the band, Martin and Gary are still close, and according to The Independent, Martin explained what it was like working with his brother: "For a long time, I always felt that it was Gary's band. He was writing the songs, he was moulding it into what he wanted. That's not taking away from my brother at all because he was absolutely brilliant.

"We all knew what part we had to play, but I always felt my part was probably smaller in a way than everyone else's. I always felt that the only reason I was there was to be on the front cover of a magazine.

"I'm not sure that's the most fulfilling thing to have, even when you're an 18-year-old boy. But what I didn't know was that it was an incredible ride and everything I dreamed of doing."

What was it like for Martin and Gary Kemp to work together in Spandau Ballet?

Martin added how it was different working with Gary compared to the rest of the group, saying: "Gary and I were like the pressure cooker, the release valve. When pressure in the band built up, Gary and I would go off and argue. Our arguments would sometimes turn into fights, but we were brothers, we knew that our love went beyond the fight and we would get it out of our systems.

"If there were problems in the band, I could talk about it to Gary, whereas the other guys couldn't because it would probably mean an end to the band."

All these years later, Martin looks back on the 80s with fresh eyes and commented: "I can look back and see what's right and wrong with it. As well as the rush and the incredible journey we went on, I can see it for what it was."

Martin also spoke about the differences in being a teenager in the 80s versus now, remarking: "What they don't have now that we had back then is a pop culture, where kids are trying to shock their parents. Pop culture has become what happens behind a laptop.

"That's really sad. We as kids used to have to go out there, buy records of the tribe we belonged to - that was our flag. On the internet, to me it doesn't seem to be as social, even though we call it social networking."

When is Martin Kemp's book Ticket To The World: My 80s Story out?

Martin Kemp's book Ticket To The World: My 80s Story came out on 10th November and is available to buy now.

What TV shows has Martin Kemp been on?

As well as being a musician, Martin is an actor and has appeared on a number of TV shows and films over the years, including EastEnders where he played Steve Owen from 1998 to 2002.

Martin spoke about how important this role was to him, at a point in his life when he was recovering from two brain tumours after being diagnosed in 1995. He explained: "Looking back, I will always appreciate the gig with EastEnders because it took me out of that part of my life that was all about a brain tumour. When I joined EastEnders, I was struggling to remember lines. Sometimes if I needed to walk left, I would walk right. There was stuff I was keeping to myself. My brain was still repairing itself."

How can I listen to Martin Kemp on Greatest Hits Radio?

Martin Kemp presents The Mix Tape every Friday from 7pm here on Greatest Hits Radio.

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Who are the presenters on Greatest Hits Radio?

Check out the other presenters and shows we have here on Greatest Hits Radio.

Ken Bruce

Greatest Hits Radio is the home of the legend that is Ken Bruce, weekdays 10am-1pm - including PopMaster, the UK's biggest music quiz for 25 years and counting.
Find out more about Ken and PopMaster.

Simon Mayo

Simon Mayo hosts Drivetime every weekday at 4pm and The Album Show on Sundays from 1pm.


Simon said of his Drivetime show: "I think the thing about Drivetime is that it is like the flip side of breakfast. You kind of know what an awful lot of people are doing, it's the end of most people's day, they're doing some final bits of work, they're shutting the laptop, they're doing a bit of food preparation, they're driving home. I think it is that sense of camaraderie, it's the end of the day, people want to be cheered up and they want to spend some time with some decent folk on the radio!"


Find out more about Simon Mayo here.

Paul Gambaccini

Paul brings us his famous America's Greatest Hits programme every Saturday between 5pm-7pm, featuring two hours of the Greatest Hits that made it big in America.


Sharing some of the things he loves about his show, Paul said: "Radio is the perfect form of one-to-one communication. TV can be direct, too, but the camera operator is always in your line of vision! I enjoy sharing my favourite music, and my admittedly freakish knowledge of it, with people who care about that music. I love the opportunity for challenging talk overs, too!"


Find out more about Paul Gambaccini here.

Alex Lester

The Dark Lord keeps you company in the small hours. Join him for the Music Marathon from 1am and the Best Time Of The Day Show 4-6am weekdays.


Alex brings: "Your favourite songs. Bizarre insights and unusual thoughts," to his show and told us that he loves that during his show: "It's just the two of us. You and me. (Against the world)."


Find out more about Alex Lester here.

Jenny Powell

Jenny plays the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s on Greatest Hits Radio to kickstart your weekend, every Saturday and Sunday from 6am.


On Jenny's show, listeners can look forward to The Breakfast Club, which she says is: "A warm-up for the weekend, full of positive vibes and feel-good factor when you wake up on Saturdays and Sundays. I insist you have a dance with me on the Kitchen Disco, I share some fun news stories from the previous week on The Headliners and get you smiling no matter what, sharing some of my favourite tracks from the 70s, 80, and 90s."


Find out more about Jenny Powell here.

Andy Crane

Join Andy's late-night community of music and company, Sunday-Thursday at 10pm.


Andy has three hours of the biggest songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s as well as The Top 10 at 10 and Midnight Music Marathon. His show is full of: "Great music and plenty of laughing."


Find out more about Andy Crane here.

Martin Kemp

Join our resident pop star Martin Kemp as he kicks off your Friday night with his Mixtape – three hours of handpicked essential weekend songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s to get you in the mood and dancing round the kitchen.

Then on Saturdays, it's side-two as he brings you nothing but the greatest decade of all time on The 80s Mixtape.

Get your teenage kicks in the company of THE 80s poster boy on Greatest Hits Radio!

Find out more about Martin Kemp here.

Jackie Brambles

Jackie Brambles hosts The Evening Show every Monday to Thursday from 7pm - 10pm.


Jackie promises to deliver: "Great music and great conversations! Every night we're joined by one of your favourite artists of the 70s, 80s and 90s for an in-depth chat about the highs and lows of their careers and their musical influences over the years."


Find out more about Jackie Brambles here.

Kate Thornton

Join Kate at the weekend.

Saturday afternoons are all about the best 70s, 80s & 90s pop soundtrack, bringing you the weekend Good Times – expect One Hit Wonders, Anthems, Nostalgia and plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in the show live.

On Sundays, it's 'The UK Pop 40' as Kate counts down the UK Top 40 as it was on this day in history – exactly where the chart should be. Get the tape recorder out the loft!

Find out more about Kate Thornton here.

Richard Allinson

Weekend Good Times never sounded so good!

He's a broadcasting legend with a voice like silk that, alongside the Biggest Songs of the 70s, 80s & 90s, make the perfect weekend soundtrack – Saturday and Sundays at 9am.

Saturdays kick off with your chance to guess the year on The Top 10 Til 10, while Sundays are reserved for an hour of your special songs and dedications.

Speaking about his show, Richard said: "The idea is to recreate all those great memories I have of weekends growing up, a bunch of us meeting up to buy clothes, records, maybe sort a date…everything happened on a weekend and we remember the records we played at that time."

Find out more about Richard Allinson here.

Des Paul

Join Des for Rhythm Of The Night every Friday and Saturday night from 10pm, where he plays all the greatest soul, funk, disco and Motown hits to start your weekend.


Des explained what he loves the most about his show: "The favourite bit of presenting Rhythm of the Night is when listeners contact me to say how much they've loved hearing a particular track and then tell us all about when and where they used to hear it."


Find out more about Des Paul here.

Now read:

Martin Kemp: From Spandau Ballet to star of the screen

The Mix Tape with Martin Kemp: Everything you need to know

Martin Kemp reveals the music that made him 🎶

How to listen to Greatest Hits Radio:

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