Main content

Spandau Ballet (A-Side)

Episode 9 of 10

Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp and Tony Hadley discuss their 1983 international hit album, 'True'. With John Wilson. From June 2013.

Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp and Tony Hadley discuss their 1983 international hit album, 'True'.

Series in which leading performers and songwriters talk about the album that made them or changed them.

Recorded in front of a live audience at the Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú's iconic Maida Vale Studios, each edition includes two episodes - the A-side and B-side.

In this one (The A-side), Gary and Tony reflect on Spandau Ballet's third album, 'True', which became a worldwide smash hit featuring tracks such as 'Gold', 'Pleasure', 'Communication' and the title track, which spent 4 weeks at the top of the charts.

Singer Tony Hadley and Gary Kemp, the man who wrote all of these songs, discuss their inspiration and influence with John Wilson.

'True' became one of the stand out albums of the New Romantic movement. Recorded at the legendary Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, producers Steve Jolley and Tony Swain gave the band a slicker, more R&B sound aimed at squarely at the charts.

In the B-side of the programme, it's the turn of the audience to ask the questions.

Producer: Helen Lennard.

First broadcast on Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Radio 4 in June 2013.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Mon 5 Jun 2023 21:00

Broadcasts

  • Mon 24 Jun 2013 23:00
  • Fri 20 Jul 2018 18:30
  • Sat 21 Jul 2018 00:30
  • Mon 5 Jun 2023 21:00

Eight things we learned from Lily Allen’s Mastertapes

We hear about the breakdown of her marriage, substance abuse… and socks

10 things we learned from Randy Newman’s Mastertapes

The legendary songwriter's interview with John Wilson is fascinating and very funny.

Mastertapes special: Paul McCartney

Mastertapes special: Paul McCartney

Watch a filmed version of Paul McCartney speaking to John Wilson about his career.

Live performances

Watch and listen to exclusive live performances from the Mastertapes recordings.

Radio 4 on Music

Re-releasing music documentaries from the Radio 4 Archive.

Podcast