Gary Kemp

English actor and musician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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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.

Quick facts: Gary Kemp, Background information, Birth name... ▼
Gary Kemp
GaryKemp_2022-10-28.jpg
Kemp in 2022
Background information
Birth nameGary James Kemp
Born (1959-10-16) 16 October 1959 (age 63)
Smithfield, London, England
OriginIslington, London, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
  • actor
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • synthesiser
  • drums
  • piano
Years active1970–present
Labels
Parlophone
Member ofNick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets
Formerly of
Websitegarykemp.com
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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.