Gary Kemp
Gary Kemp
Gary James Kempis an English pop musician and actor who is the guitar player and chief songwriter for the 1980s new wave band Spandau Ballet. His brother, Martin Kemp, plays bass guitar in the band. Gary Kemp also provided backing vocals on many of the tracks to lead singer Tony Hadley...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionGuitarist
Date of Birth16 October 1959
fear panic somewhere start terrible travel
I have a terrible fear of travel. Just before we go, I start to panic and tell my wife I don't want to go. It's ridiculous. But actually it's only when it's somewhere I've not been to before.
came certainly children fan interest label liked people politics
I certainly wasn't a fan of Thatcher's politics. People liked to label us as children of Thatcher. What nonsense. The real children of Thatcher came in the 1990s, and had no interest in politics. The Oasis, Britpop scene.
affair destroy families hope music obviously ourselves sure terrible
It has been a terrible affair for ourselves and our families and one that I'm sure was obviously going to destroy any hope of us making music again.
band dad dying family given good mum producing shock
In the '80s the band was 24/7. You were only as good as what you were producing at any given moment. Now my family is more important. I also think having the shock of your mum and dad dying humbles you slightly.
creative vulnerable adrenaline
Being onstage is a way of harnessing your vulnerability and using the adrenaline to be creative. It's a very vulnerable place to be - technically, emotionally, and physically - but I love it.
competition martin younger
My brother Martin is two years younger than me. There has never been any competition between us - clearly he was the good-looking one; he was also very sporty, and I am not a football player.
adapted burns dependent develop fire lab los monitor national park projects species thousands
We monitor all of our burns in the park and have been working with Los Alamos National Lab to develop some projects cross-boundary, ... Fire has been here for thousands of years and there are many species ecologically dependent on fire. They have adapted to it and are dependent on it.
stars dad book
We never had books at home, but my dad, seeing how keen I was to read, took me to Islington Library when I was about eight and we pulled out two - a Biggles and a science fiction novel. I never got the ace fighter pilot but fell in love with all things to do with the future and space. Isaac Asimov soon became my guiding star.
ideas acting tools
Songwriting helps me sort out my personal problems. With acting, you're just a tool for someone's ideas.
everything-happens-for-a-reason nonsense detest
I detest that saying Everything happens for a reason; its nonsense.
males metrosexuals grooming
I am a metrosexual and into male grooming - I moisturise, I exfoliate.
suits made aesthetic
I am a person who holds the aesthetic high. I have suits made in Savile Row.
successful years musical
Maybe I've got to admit that what I did here was enough. I can make some more films. Maybe I'll direct a film. Maybe I'll have my musical put on stage. But nothing, really, to be absolutely honest, competes with making a very successful pop band for 10 years of my life.
band hell stressful
I've been through Hell with some of the members of my old band, and Hell is highly stressful.