Spandau Ballet is a British band that was popular in the 1980s. The band was formed in London in 1979 and consisted of Gary Kemp, Steve Norman, Martin Kemp, Tony Hadley and John Keeble.
The group’s name was derived from the German city Spandau, where a Cold War-era prison was located. They had eight Top Ten singles in the UK Chart and released seven albums, including True and Parade.
The group’s early sound was heavily influenced by David Bowie and Roxy Music, and their first single “To Cut a Long Story Short” topped the UK Singles Chart in November 1980. This success launched them into stardom in the United Kingdom as well as other European countries such as Germany, France and Spain. Their second album Diamond peaked at number three on the UK Album chart in 1982, further cementing their status as one of the best-selling acts of the decade.
Spandau Ballet achieved further success with hits such as “Gold” and “True” which were featured heavily on MTV and still remain popular to this day. The group disbanded in 1990 but reunited for a tour in 2009 to celebrate their 30th anniversary. They have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide over their career making them one of the most successful bands of all time.
The origin of Spandau Ballet’s name is steeped in mystery with various stories circulating among fans over the years. However, it is widely believed that it derives from a Cold War-era prison located near Berlin called Spandau Citadel where Nazi war criminals were held. The name has been linked to this prison as it evokes feelings of imprisonment and restriction similar to those experienced by prisoners at Spandau Citadel during World War II.
In conclusion, Spandau Ballet is an iconic British band which achieved huge success throughout Europe during the 1980s thanks to their string of hit singles such as “True” and “Gold”. It is widely believed that the band took its name from a Cold War-era prison near Berlin called Spandau Citadel, thus evoking feelings of imprisonment which resonated with many people during this difficult period in history.