Gary Kemp is a singer, best known as the lead guitarist, main songwriter, and creative force of the British band Spandau Ballet, one of the iconic bands of the New Romantic movement of the 1980s.
Camp wrote some of the band’s most iconic hits, including “True,” “Gold” and “Through the Barricades,” which helped Spandau Ballet gain international fame.
In addition to his music career, Camp has also gained recognition as an actor, starring in such notable films as The Clays and The Bodyguard.
contour
- Full name: Gary James Camp
- Date of birth: October 16, 1959
- Age: 65 years old
- Gender: Male
- Birthplace: Islington, London, UK
- Nationality: British
- Occupation: Musician, composer, actor
- Height: 1.80m
- Parents: Frank Camp (father), Eileen Camp (mother)
- Siblings: Martin Camp (brother)
- Spouse: Lauren Barber (currently married 2003); formerly married Sadie Frost (1988–1995)
- Children: Finley Munro Camp, Milo Wolf Camp, Kit Camp, Rex Camp
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: English
- Net worth: £10 million
early life and education
Gary Kemp was born on October 16, 1959 in Islington, London. He is 65 years old. He grew up in a working-class family with his younger brother Martin Kemp, who later joined him in his music and acting careers.
Kemp’s love for music began at the age of 10, when he received his first guitar as a birthday present. Inspired by the sounds of David Bowie and the Sex Pistols, Camp decided early on to pursue a career in music.
He attended Lady Alice Owen’s School in Islington, where he met his future bandmates. this. The group eventually evolved into Spandau Ballet. His early exposure to London’s vibrant arts and music scene had a significant impact on his career. He also briefly studied acting with his brother at the Anna Schell Drama School.
personal life
Gary Kemp had a colorful personal life that included two marriages. He first married actress Sadie Frost in 1988, with whom he had a son, Finlay Munro Kemp, before divorcing in 1995. In 2003, Kemp married clothing designer Lauren Barber, with whom he has three sons: Milo Wolf, Kit and Rex.
Although Camp has been in the spotlight for most of his life, he has kept many aspects of his personal life private. His relationship with his brother Martin Kemp is also well-documented, with the two collaborating on music and acting, most notably in the biopic The Krays.
Profession
Gary Kemp began his musical career as principal songwriter and guitarist with Spandau Ballet. The band formed in the late 1970s and became one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, earning them global fame with hits such as “True” and “Gold.”
Camp’s songwriting abilities helped define the band’s unique sound, fusing pop music with elements of new wave and jazz-funk. Despite the band’s success, internal tensions, particularly over copyright issues, led to their disbandment in the early 1990s.
After Spandau Ballet disbanded, Camp began his own music career and released the album Little Bruises in 1995. He also branched out into acting, most notably as Ronnie Kray in The Krays (1990), starring alongside his brother Martin. . Camp’s Hollywood career also saw him play a supporting role in The Bodyguard (1992), opposite Whitney Houston.
In 2018, Camp joined Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, a band formed by Pink Floyd’s drummer to perform Pink Floyd’s early music. The collaboration brought a new dimension to Camp’s career, allowing him to explore psychedelic rock extensively and tour. Kemp remains active in music and released another solo album “INSOLO” in 2021.
Awards
- BMI Icon Awards: 2023
- Spandau Ballet Album Winner of Multiple Gold and Platinum Awards
- Ivor Novello Songwriting Award Nominated
net worth
Gary Kemp has an estimated net worth of £10 million. His wealth has been accumulated primarily through his successful musical career, solo projects and performance roles with Spandau Ballet. His involvement in high-profile tours, record sales and songwriting royalties have contributed significantly to his financial standing.
dispute
Gary Kemp has been involved in some controversy, mainly centered on internal conflicts at Spandau Ballet. The legal dispute over royalties in the late 1990s was one of the most high-profile incidents.
Camp’s former bandmates Tony Hadley, John Keble and Steve Norman are suing him for a share of the band’s songwriting royalties, claiming they are entitled to more income.
The 1999 lawsuit caused a rift between Kemp and his former friends, but Kemp won the case. Although the band eventually reconciled and went on a reunion tour in 2009, the feud left lasting scars.
Kemp’s decision to join Nick Mason’s “Secret Disc” ruffled feathers among some Pink Floyd and Spandau Ballet fans. Many questioned how someone best known for pop music would fit into the world of psychedelic rock. However, Camp’s performance with the band received positive reviews, and he has since earned respect within the new genre.
social media
- Instagram: @garyjkemp
- Twitter: @garyjkemp
film chronology
- The Clays (1990)
- Bodyguard(1992)
- Killing Zoe(1994)
- The Larry Sanders Show(1993)
- Kemps: It’s all true (2020)
discography
Spandau Ballet:
- Journey to Glory(1981)
- Diamond(1982)
- Real(1983)
- Parade(1984)
- Through the Roadblock(1986)
solo:
- Little Bruise(1995)
- Insolo(2021)
books
- I Know So Much: From Soho to Spandau (2009)
