Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Spandau Ballet announce new singer Ross William Wild and London show

Former frontman Tony Hadley quit the band in 2017

Roisin O'Connor
Music Correspondent
Thursday 07 June 2018 08:56 BST
Comments
Spandau Ballet with new singer Ross William Wild
Spandau Ballet with new singer Ross William Wild

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Spandau Ballet have announced that Ross William Wild will perform as their new singer at a special one-off UK show in London.

The band will be newly fronted by Wild, who was introduced to the group after starring as Elvis Presley alongside bassist Martin Kemp in The Million Dollar Quartet, in 2016.

"He gave me goosebumps every time he sang," Kemp told the band. When they began discussing a return, Wild was suggested as a potential lead singer.

Songwriter Gary Kemp said of Wild: "Ross's great talent and passion has given us the confidence to continue playing the music we love. To quote one of our own songs: 'There's power in his voice and it makes us feel so sure..."

Steve Norman added: "Ross not only has the technical ability to cover Spandau's songs but he's already introducing his artistic creativity to the fold. On top of that he's a right nice bloke. We struck lucky."

Wild said: "Spandau's music is so current. Having listened to it from a young age and then getting back into it recently, this stuff is still so valid. That's why it's so important that they keep going. Spandau Ballet isn't about one person.

"It isn't just about the boys that are there now. It's not about me. It was a movement. If it wasn't for Spandau so much stuff wouldn't have happened. They are pioneers. To be at the helm now with them feels just ridiculous!"

Former Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley quit the band in July last year via an unusually-worded statement where he ruled out any future shows.

Remaining members Martin Kemp, Gary Kemp, Steve Norman and John Keeble said they would continue making music and touring as Spandau Ballet, stating they were unable to continue working with Hadley and had made the decision to "move on" as a band.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in