| Mirror Interview |
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| Gary Kemp is one of the most successful songwriters of his generation, a fact celebrated in this week’s Smash! With his younger brother Martin – who played Eastenders’ Steve Owen – he formed the hit ‘80s band Spandau Ballet. Gary, 42, also starred in films such as Killing Zoe, and recently appeared in the West End play Art. Divorced from actress Sadie Frost, with whom he has an 11-year-old son Finlay, he now lives in London with girlfriend Lauren. Here Sarah Moolla puts your questions to him. If you were forced to choose between acting and songwriting, which would it be? Songwriting helps me sort out my personal problems, so I would choose that. With acting, your just a tool for someone’s ideas. At the moment, I’m writing a musical about unrequited passion set in 19th-century Ireland. What were the first and last records you bought and the bands you saw? The first single was Apeman by The Kinks and the first album was T-Rex’s Electric Warrior, around 1971. The first band I saw was Slade when I was 11 – I loved them. The last record I bought was the new Red Hot Chili Peppers album. I like a band with sex and attitude. Coldplay and Travis do nothing for me. Did you and Martin fight when you were growing up or working together? We used to fight as kids and Martin would win because he was bigger. Then in the band we fought to let off steam because we’re different. He was the good-looking one with a strong sense of style, whereas I was more about the writing and the music. Did Spandau Ballet get many groupies on tour? We were successful and, yes, there were a lot of people who wanted to meet us. Let’s just say we had a good time. What is your favourite Spandau Ballet record and why? True, because it crossed over to black American radio, which at the time was nearly impossible for white bands. It was a song directly influenced by my love of Marvin Gaye and Al Green. How were you affected by the 1999 court case when the other band members sued you for a share of the royalties? It sullied what had been an amazing experience and achievement. Three people who I’d regarded as great comrades attacked me. But I’ve come through it now and I’m still very proud of Spandau Ballet. Would you ever be tempted to reform Spandau Ballet for an ‘80s revival? The thought of going on tour with people like Toyah Wilcox is just appalling. I’m certainly not tempted. What was it like being in LA working on The Bodyguard? I was there for three years and enjoyed it. I’m a working class lad from London, so I’m easily impressed by open-top cars, palm trees and blue skies. Whitney Houston was a real joy to work with, and Kevin Costner told me that True was his and his wife’s song. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing because they split up soon after. Where in the world have you most enjoyed being, and where would you most love to visit? I love travelling, but my favourite place in the world is London with its history, culture and great architecture. I’d love to go to South Africa – Spandau Ballet always refused to tour there because of apartheid. Everyone tells me Cape Town is magical, so I’d love to see it. What other ambitions do you have? I’d like to get my musical up and running. I enjoyed doing Art in the West End last year, so I’d like to do more stage acting. How do you relax? I’m passionate about mountain walking. It makes me feel small, humble and truly exhilarated. Can you see yourself ever getting married again? And are you a (new) romantic at heart? I’ve just moved in with my girlfriend Lauren and she’s the first person I’ve lived with since my marriage ended. She’s restored my faith in romance. Does your son Finlay show any signs of following in your footsteps? He’s 11 and already playing guitar. He insists he hates all dance music and his chosen style is very loud and aggressive. As far as acting goes, he’s a little bit shy of performing, whereas his five-year-old brother Raff – the son of Sadie and Jude Law – is just fearless. I’m sure he will be a brilliant actor one day. |
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| The Daily Mirror - 31st August 2002 |