Spandau Ballet is an iconic British pop band that first rose to fame in the early 1980s. The group was formed by childhood friends Gary Kemp and Martin Kemp, and soon became one of the most successful bands in the UK during the decade. The band’s name has always been a source of intrigue for fans, and there are several theories about how it came to be.
One popular explanation is that Spandau Ballet was taken from an old German world war two POW camp located in Berlin. The camp was notorious for its brutal conditions, including a form of punishment called spandau ballet – standing in a circle with arms linked for long periods of time. This theory has been widely accepted by fans who see a connection between the harsh environment of the camp and the struggles faced by young bands at the start of their career.
Another theory suggests that Gary Kemp was inspired by a painting he saw titled “Spandau Ballet” by artist Frank Auerbach. This artwork features seven figures standing in a circle, which could be seen as symbolic of the group’s seven members at the time.
The most likely explanation however is that Gary Kemp simply liked how Spandau Ballet sounded when it was said out loud. He has said that he wanted something that sounded “edgy, stylish and cool” – all of which could certainly be used to describe Spandau Ballet.
Whatever its origin, Spandau Ballet remains one of Britain’s most successful musical exports.
Conclusion:
The exact origin of the name ‘Spandau Ballet’ is unclear but what is certain is that it has come to symbolize an era where British music flourished and became popular all over the world. It may have been inspired by an old German POW camp or a painting but ultimately it was chosen because it sounded edgy and stylish – something which perfectly encapsulates Spandau Ballet’s influence on music history.