Gary Kemp | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Gary James Kemp |
Born | Smithfield, London, England | 16 October 1959
Origin | Islington, London, England |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 1970–present |
Labels | Parlophone |
Member of | Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets |
Formerly of | |
Website | garykemp |
Gary James Kemp (born 16 October 1959) is an English songwriter, musician and actor, best known as the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, and principal songwriter for the new wave band Spandau Ballet.
Kemp wrote the lyrics and music for all 23 of Spandau Ballet's hit singles, including "To Cut a Long Story Short", "True", "Gold", "Chant No. 1 (I Don't Need This Pressure On)", "Through the Barricades" and "Only When You Leave". Spandau Ballet became one of the biggest British bands of the 1980s,[2] generating over 25 million record sales worldwide.[3] In 2012, Kemp was an Ivor Novello Award winner for Outstanding Song Collection.[3] His brother Martin Kemp plays bass guitar in the band and is also an actor. Since 2018, Kemp has also toured the US and Europe with the psychedelic rock group Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets.