Anyone who grew up in the 1980s will find it hard to believe that Tony Hadley, AKA the former lead singer with Spandau Ballet, is celebrating just over four decades in the music industry.
To mark this momentous occasion Tony wanted to embark on a huge nationwide tour in order to treat his fans to him performing a slew of his famous hits but his actual anniversary was in 2020 – and we all know what happened to everyone’s plans due to a certain Covid induced pandemic….
But fast forward two years and Tony and his band have finally been able to start touring their much-anticipated show which features some of his former group’s biggest hits.
The 36-date tour kicked off in March taking in venues in Bexhill, Cardiff, Sheffield and Liverpool and then recommenced earlier this month so far visiting Folkestone, Cambridge and Ipswich before taking in Tunbridge Wells on May 8 when Tony performs with The Fabulous TH Band at the Assembly Hall.
Despite being in the music business for over 40 years Tony’s unmistakeable voice still brims with passion and urgency as it first did all those years ago.
Known as one of the biggest voices in pop, Tony will perform tracks from across his career, both as the voice of Spandau Ballet, and as a solo artist.
From his beginnings at the forefront of the New Romantic movement, Tony has earned himself the accolade of being one of pop’s greatest vocalists. Spandau Ballet went from playing cool London clubs like the Blitz to filling out stadiums thanks to their popular hits which led to them performing their numerous chart-topping singles like True, Gold and Through the Barricades all over the world.
As a solo artist Tony has also performed across the globe both with his own band as well as swing bands, and orchestras too. In 2005 he was awarded a Gold Badge from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters; whilst 2007 saw him win a new legion of fans when he appeared as Billy Flynn in Chicago on the West End stage.
In 2018 Tony released his highly anticipated solo album ‘Talking to the Moon’. The album was incredibly well received and became BBC Radio 2’s Album of the Week with the network also making the album’s first single Tonight Belongs To Us its Single Of The Week.
Last year Tony released his new single Obvious, which was co-written with fellow musician’s Mick Lister, and was again playlisted by BBC Radio 2.
Alongside Tony’s music career, not to mention his work in broadcasting on both radio and TV, Tony received an MBE in December 2019 in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List for his charitable work for the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.
Tony currently presents a live Sunday morning radio show on BBC’s 3 Counties Radio, and started a podcast and Youtube channel in July 2020 called ‘Stars Cars Guitars’ with Jim Cregan, the award-winning rock guitarist, songwriter and producer along with Alex Dyke, the veteran British TV and radio broadcaster.
Tony’s podcast features the trio talking about rock and roll adventures, their favourite cars and tales of the stars and friends they met on the way. It also touches upon the themes of success, fame, family, laughter, memories and dreams.
In addition to Tony’s May shows he has just announced four new dates for later this year in October where he will play Manchester, Southend, Birmingham, and The London Palladium with a full live orchestra.
For information on Tony Hadley’s 40th Anniversary Tour and to book tickets for his concert at the Assembly Hall on May 8 visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk
