Tony Hadley

Anthony Patrick Hadley (born 2 June 1960) is an English pop singer. He rose to fame in the 1980s as the lead singer of the new wave band Spandau Ballet and launched a solo career following the group's split in 1990. Hadley returned to the band in 2009 but left again in 2017, and has since toured regularly as a solo artist. Hadley has been noted for his expressive voice and vocal range.

During his tenure with Spandau Ballet, Hadley performed on numerous UK top-ten hits, including "True", "Gold" and "Through the Barricades". He also performed on the 1984 Band Aid single "Do They Know It's Christmas?". Following the band's initial split in 1990, Hadley pursued a solo career. He has since released several studio albums, including The State of Play (1992) and Talking to the Moon (2018). His career has also encompassed musical theatre, such as a residency as Billy Flynn in Chicago.

In 2017, Hadley announced his permanent departure from Spandau Ballet to focus on his solo work. He continues to record and tour as of 2026, frequently performing with his own band and orchestral ensembles. In recognition of his contributions to music and his work with charities such as the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice, Hadley was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2019.

Anthony Patrick Hadley was born on 2 June 1960 at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead, North London. He is the eldest of three children, with a sister, Lee, and a brother, Steve. His father, Patrick Hadley, worked as an electrical engineer for the Daily Mail, and his mother, Josephine, worked for the local health authority. Hadley grew up listening to artists such as Queen, Roxy Music, Marc Bolan, Rod Stewart, Elton John and Be-Bop Deluxe, while his parents introduced him to artists such as Frank Sinatra, Jack Jones, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and Johnny Mathis.

Hadley co-founded Spandau Ballet in 1976 as the Cut, with Gary Kemp, Steve Norman, John Keeble and Michael Ellison, all of whom were students at Dame Alice Owen's Grammar School. As a member of Spandau Ballet, Hadley went on to enjoy international success in the 1980s, including hits such as "True", "Gold" and "Through the Barricades" The band have had eight UK top 10 albums, including three greatest hits compilations and an album of re-recorded material.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.