Initially formed in 1976 in London they didn’t reach a stable line-up or decide on the Spandau name until 1978. Inspired by a mixture of synth-pop and funk as typified by the track Chant No 1 (I Don’t Need This Pressure On) which reached No 2 in the national charts and was notable for inclusion of the horn section from the group Beggar & Co, which proved a fruitful collaboration on record. After four hits in the UK followed by a couple of less successful releases, Spandau Ballet’s chart career appeared to be on the wane. However, Instinction, re-ignited their fortunes and became the first of eleven consecutive singles to reach the Top 20 Immensely popular in the UK, the New Romantic group eventually mellowed into a mainstream pop act. As with their friendly rivals Duran Duran they ‘broke America’, albeit briefly - the title track of their 3rd album True peaked in the Top 5 of the Singles charts. The song gained a new life in the 1990’s and beyond by being sampled in the songs Set Adrift On Memory Bliss by PM Dawn and N Dey Say by Nelly. After a split in 1990 and a court case almost 10 years later involving Hadley, Keeble & Norman suing Gary Kemp over royalties, they announced in March 2009 a reformation.| |
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