Tony Hadley

SPANDAU BALLET THE 80S PHENOMENON Pioneers of the 80s Romantic movement, Spandau Ballet had numerous chart topping singles and albums all over the world, the most memorable being the singles "Gold" and the international number one "True", the latter famously sampled by PM Dawn in 1991 and featured on Paul Anka's Rock Swings in 2005.

As lead singer of Spandau Ballet Tony Hadley has over the years earned himself the accolade of being one of pop music greatest vocalists. In addition to all the band's songs, many will remember his prominent vocal contribution to the Band Aid UK charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas" and subsequent 1985 London appearance at Live Aid. A LIFE IN MUSIC Turning the page on Spandau Ballet, Tony has stuck to the same raw instincts that brought him early success. Tony is now a solo artist in his own right who has spent the past twenty years entertaining audiences all over the world with his stunning rich voice that has lost none of its power. He has continued to write and record, and to date has released four solo studio albums; "State of Play" on EMI Records, two albums through Universal Records; a self-titled album in 1998 and "True Ballads" in 2003. In 2006, on his own label Slipstream Records he released his long awaited swing album "Passing Strangers".

He has also released three live albums & two live DVDs. On the live music front he is regular performer, delighting audiences at home and abroad with such events as the 'Night Of The Proms' in Holland & Belgium/ Orchestral tours of Europe and South America as well as on his own annual UK & European solo tours. In 2007 he won a new legion of fans following his critically acclaimed performances as Billy Flynn in Chicago on the London stage.

Tony's appearances in the show gave the musical one of it's most successful runs ever and earned Tony an invitiation to perform in the 10th Anniversary Show. In 2005 Tony's contribution to the music industry was officially recognised by a Gold Badge Award from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters. A PASSION FOR SWING Aside from the orchestras and his own live band, Tony also has a passion for “Swing".

Sinatra and Jack Jones being just a couple of personal favourites. Tony has performed with some of the greatest jazz orchestras in Europe, including the BBC Orchestra at Hyde Park Proms in The Park and shows at The Hague, Barcelona and Palermo Jazz Festivals with the respective Jazz Orchestras.

In 2005 Tony started work on his “Swing" album. It was a personal project that had been months in planning, Tony has recorded some of his favourite old songs. The album “Passing Strangers, was released on the 2nd October 2006, to coincide with Tony's first Swing tour, “Swinging True".

BOYS ON TOUR
As well as the conventional shows Tony has played some extremely unconventional venues for British, NATO, and UN Troops on active service in Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Cyprus, the Falkland Islands and Northern Ireland. From Aircraft Hangers & Tank workshops to bombed out theatres & sports halls to name but a few. Always keen to give something back Tony felt it was a real honour to be asked to entertain the troops, plus getting to dress up as a soldier is every young or old boys dream.

TV AND RADIO
Tony's talents as an artist extend beyond the stage and in recent years Tony's profile has increased dramatically in the UK following his participation in the UK reality TV show “Reborn In The USA", which saw him travelling across The US in a tour bus with eight other British artists. He also launched a successful Radio DJ career at Virgin (now Absolute Radio), bringing his own brand of chat and music to the national airwaves. “Tony Hadley's Party Classics" is now being syndicated around the world.

CHARITABLE WORK
Tony also likes to donate his time to support charitable causes. As Patron of Shooting Stars ( a children's hospice) he won £64,000 on British TV's cult quiz programme Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Tony has also been very involved with Action Medical Research participating in their treks to Machau Pichu, The Lost World (Venzuela) and last year the Eden Trek from Pacific to Caribbean in Costa Rica, resulting in a huge sum of money being raised for the charity "Touching Tiny Lives" campaign, looking at research into and help for premature birth. Tony is also a Patron of The Forces Children's Trust. In May 2004 Macmillan Books released Tony's autobiography “To Cut A Long Story Short". The book charted Tony's youth, his early days in the school band, and the heady heights of worldwide super stardom as lead singer of Spandau Ballet. The book was a popular success entering the top Ten of the Sunday Times “Hardback" bestsellers chart.

WHAT'S NEXT
2009 sees the reforming of 80's iconic band, Spandau Ballet with all the original members. With 13 UK arena show this Autumn the “Reformation Tour" will celebrate the 80's legendary hits and lead singer, Tony will once again capture audiences with his distinct style and powerful voice - this much is true !