Gary Kemp

About Gary Kemp

Who is it?: Soundtrack, Actor, Composer
Birth Day: October 16, 1959
Birth Place:  Islington, London, England, United Kingdom
Birth name: Gary James Kemp
Genres: Pop pop rock new wave blue-eyed soul synthpop jazz swing
Occupation(s): Singer-songwriter actor
Instruments: Vocals guitar synthesiser drums piano
Years active: 1979–present
Labels: SlipStream PolyGram EMI CBS Sony BMG Chrysalis
Associated acts: Spandau Ballet Virgin Radio
Website: Official website Original Site

Gary Kemp

Gary Kemp was born on October 16, 1959 in  Islington, London, England, United Kingdom, is Soundtrack, Actor, Composer. Gary Kemp was born in Islington, London in October 1959. On his 10th birthday, he got his first guitar from his parents. In the 70s, he and his younger brother, Martin Kemp, went to learn drama at Anna Scher's acting school. Then, in 1978, Gary Kemp formed "The Makers". After Richard Miller left, his brother replaced him on bass. That's when Gary changed the name to Spandau Ballet. Spandau's break came in March 1980 when they were filmed for a documentary on ITV. When the documentary was broadcast, the record companies were bursting out of their ears. They chose to sign to Chrysalis, as they were offered the most money. For 10 years, they had hits like "To Cut a Long Story Short" (1980), "Chant No. 1 (I don't need this pressure on)" (1981), "True" (1983), "Gold" (1983), "Only When You Leave" (1984) and "Through the Barricades" (1986). After Spandau Ballet completed a tour in 1987, Gary and Martin decided to go into acting once again. They auditioned for the part in The Krays (1990) and, in 1989, they played "Ronald" and "Reggie". Soon afterwards this, Spandau Ballet would split. During the '90s, Gary continued to act, most notably playing a part in The Bodyguard (1992). In 1999, Gary was involved in a court battle over £1,000,000 royalties against John Keeble, Steve Norman and Tony Hadley, his 3 other bandmates. Gary won the case. However, in March 2009, all 5 members of Spandau Ballet called a truce, and they announced on the HMS Belfast in London that they would be reuniting for a world tour later in the year.
Gary Kemp is a member of Soundtrack

Does Gary Kemp Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, Gary Kemp is still alive (as per Wikipedia, Last update: May 10, 2020).

🎂 Gary Kemp - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

Currently, Gary Kemp is 65 years, 2 months and 6 days old. Gary Kemp will celebrate 66rd birthday on a Thursday 16th of October 2025. Below we countdown to Gary Kemp upcoming birthday.

Days
Hours
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Seconds
Popular As Gary Kemp
Occupation Soundtrack
Age 65 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born October 16, 1959 ( Islington, London, England, United Kingdom)
Birthday October 16
Town/City  Islington, London, England, United Kingdom
Nationality United Kingdom

🌙 Zodiac

Gary Kemp’s zodiac sign is Scorpio. According to astrologers, Scorpio-born are passionate and assertive people. They are determined and decisive, and will research until they find out the truth. Scorpio is a great leader, always aware of the situation and also features prominently in resourcefulness. Scorpio is a Water sign and lives to experience and express emotions. Although emotions are very important for Scorpio, they manifest them differently than other water signs. In any case, you can be sure that the Scorpio will keep your secrets, whatever they may be.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Gary Kemp was born in the Year of the Pig. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Pig are extremely nice, good-mannered and tasteful. They’re perfectionists who enjoy finer things but are not perceived as snobs. They enjoy helping others and are good companions until someone close crosses them, then look out! They’re intelligent, always seeking more knowledge, and exclusive. Compatible with Rabbit or Goat.

Biography/Timeline

1968

Kemp was born of parents Eileen and Frank Kemp in St Bartholomew's Hospital, Smithfield, London, and grew up in Islington, London, in a working class family. He attended Rotherfield Junior School and Dame Alice Owen's school in Potters Bar. He was active in the Anna Scher Children's Theatre drama club, along with his brother, Martin. In 1968 he began appearing in TV and film, including a role in the 1972 film Hide & Seek, alongside Roy Dotrice.

1970

Kemp eventually decided to concentrate on a career in music, and in the late 1970s, he formed a band called The Cut with school friends. The band became the Makers and the Gentry, and was eventually renamed Spandau Ballet.

1980

Kemp is an atheist and a staunch supporter of the Labour Party. He made a guest appearance in Red Wedge in the 1980s. Kemp is also a keen lifelong collector of the furniture produced by Edward William Godwin.

1988

Kemp was married to Actress Sadie Frost. They married when she was 22, shortly before her 23rd birthday, on 7 May 1988. Their son, Finlay, was born in 1990. Frost and Kemp were married for five years and then separated, finally divorcing on 19 August 1995. In 2003, Kemp married costume designer Lauren Barber, with whom he has three sons: Milo Wolf (b. 2004), Kit (b. 2009), and Rex (b. 2012).

1990

After recording Spandau Ballet's final album, Heart Like a Sky, Kemp and his brother returned to acting. He earned criticism from his fellow band members, Tony Hadley, Steve Norman and John Keeble, but received good reviews for his performance as Ronnie Kray in The Krays (1990). The success of this film was the death-knell for Spandau Ballet.

1995

Kemp released a solo album entitled Little Bruises in 1995, followed by a tour of the UK and Ireland. He has written songs with a number of other Writers for other artists, although few of them have actually been recorded and released. Two of his songs appeared on the debut album by American soap star Jacob Young in 2001. Since 1995, Kemp has continued acting, taking the role of 'Serge' in the West End production of Art in 2001, film roles in Dog Eat Dog, Poppies and American Daylight, and TV roles in Murder in Mind, Murder Investigation Team, and Casualty.

1999

In 1999, Hadley, Norman and Keeble attempted to sue Kemp for alleged unpaid royalties. They claimed that an agreement had existed between Kemp and the rest of the band, whereby Kemp, who was the main Songwriter in the band, would pay his bandmates a share of the royalties earned. The claims were vigorously denied by Kemp, and Hadley, Norman and Keeble subsequently lost their court case. Although initially vowing to appeal the verdict, they later decided against this.

2004

Kemp wrote music and additional lyrics with Guy Pratt for the musical production Bedbug, which was performed in a variety of venues during the Shell Connections Youth Drama Festival in 2004, and has written a musical, also with Pratt, entitled A Terrible Beauty, based on the life of W. B. Yeats and Maud Gonne.

2008

In January 2008, Kemp appeared on a Celebrity special of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? with his brother Martin to raise awareness of and funds for the Encephalitis Society. In March 2008, Kemp starred in a low-budget 20-minute short film directed by his brother Martin, entitled Karma Magnet. This was only released on the internet.

2009

In 2004 Kemp made an attempt to reform Spandau Ballet. In early 2009, newspaper reports claimed that the band was set to reform later that year. The rumours were confirmed by the band at a press conference held on board the HMS Belfast in London on 25 March 2009. In 2012, Kemp's songwriting for Spandau Ballet was recognised with an Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection.

2011

On 28 March 2011, Kemp lent his support to the British Music Experience charity, by holding an "in conversation" session with an audience of 80 people. During a 90-minute interview, he performed several songs acoustically, including #1 hit "True" and "Gold". He also entertained questions from the audience, revealing that a couple of the songs he would like to have written himself were "Shipbuilding" and "Alison" by Elvis Costello.

2012

Since 2012, Kemp has been the Chair of the 400th Anniversary Celebration Committee of his old school, Dame Alice Owen's.

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