Gary Kemp wrote the songs that defined Spandau Ballet, but his legacy is tangled in lawsuits with Tony Hadley and a public feud that split the band apart. Here is the story of his relationship with brother Martin, the royalty disputes, and where they all stand today.
Born: 16 October 1959 ·
Spouse: Lauren Barber (m. 2003) ·
Children: 2 ·
Net worth: Estimated $10 million
Quick snapshot
- 1979: Spandau Ballet formed in London
- 1999: High Court lawsuit over royalties – ruled in Gary’s favor
- 2017: Tony Hadley files another lawsuit and leaves the band
- 2021: Martin Kemp’s second brain tumor diagnosis
- Gary Kemp continues touring with Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets
- Martin Kemp remains active on TV and social media
- Spandau Ballet reunion remains unlikely due to ongoing tensions with Tony Hadley
Six key facts about Gary Kemp are worth bookmarking before we unpack the drama.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gary James Kemp |
| Born | 16 October 1959, Islington, London |
| Occupation | Songwriter, musician, actor |
| Spouse | Lauren Barber (m. 2003) |
| Children | 2 |
| Net worth | Estimated $10 million |
Do Martin and Gary Kemp get along?
The short answer is yes — now. The two brothers, who grew up in Islington and co-founded Spandau Ballet in 1979, experienced a public falling-out during the band’s feud with lead singer Tony Hadley. But unlike the rift with Hadley, the Kemp brothers’ bond has mended over time.
Gary has spoken openly about their relationship in interviews. The brothers appear together publicly, and Martin has referred to Gary as his “big brother” in social media posts. However, the feud with Hadley created a tense environment that tested their relationship for years.
For fans hoping for a full Spandau Ballet reunion, the Kemp brothers’ reconciliation creates a paradox: Gary and Martin are close again, but the one member still estranged — Tony Hadley — is the one without whom a reunion is incomplete.
Why don’t Martin Kemp and Tony Hadley get along?
- Martin has publicly sided with Gary in the royalty dispute, creating a divide with Hadley.
- Mirror coverage from 2022 reports that Martin called Tony’s lawsuit “disappointing” and damaging to the band’s legacy.
- As of 2025, Tony Hadley told Yahoo News Australia that a reunion with the Kemps would be “bloody difficult” (Yahoo News Australia).
The implication: the Martin-Tony rift mirrors the Gary-Tony conflict — both brothers remain aligned against their former singer. This made any reunion attempt structurally impossible even before the legal battles.
Are Gary Kemp and Martin Kemp twins?
A common misconception, quickly settled: Gary and Martin are brothers, not twins. Gary was born on 16 October 1959, and Martin on 10 October 1961, making them two years and ten days apart (IMDb).
The confusion likely stems from their close bond and the fact that both were members of Spandau Ballet from the start. But the age gap is clear.
Why did Tony Hadley sue Gary Kemp?
The royalty dispute dates back to 1999, when Tony Hadley, Steve Norman, and John Keeble sued Gary Kemp and Reformation Publishing Company for a share of Spandau Ballet’s songwriting royalties (BBC News). The lawsuit was unsuccessful in the High Court — the judge ruled that Gary, as the principal songwriter, was entitled to the revenue from publishing.
However, the issue resurfaced in 2017 when Hadley filed another lawsuit over performance royalties, leading him to leave the band mid-tour. The case was eventually settled out of court.
The 2017 lawsuit effectively killed any chance of a full Spandau Ballet reunion. For a band built on the Kemp-Hadley dynamic, losing its charismatic frontman was a blow from which the group has not recovered.
How wealthy is Gary Kemp?
Public estimates for Gary Kemp’s net worth vary significantly. The most commonly cited figure is around $10 million, based on a 2020 article from the Express that quoted Celebrity Net Worth (Express). However, other secondary sources have placed the figure as low as $100K, underscoring the inconsistency.
His income streams include:
- Songwriting royalties from Spandau Ballet’s catalog (estimated at £8 million in 2020)
- Solo album sales, including “This Destination” (2023)
- Touring with Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets
- Acting roles in TV and film
Who is the richest member of Spandau Ballet?
Gary Kemp is widely considered the wealthiest former member, followed by his brother Martin Kemp. Tony Hadley, who left the band in 2017, has a lower estimated net worth, though exact figures are not publicly available.
The catch: the wide spread in reported net worth figures — from $100K to $10 million — reflects the lack of a single authoritative source. Most estimates come from secondary sites that recycle older data.
What is Martin Kemp suffering from?
Martin Kemp has been diagnosed with two brain tumors since 2019. The first, a benign tumor, was discovered in 2019 and successfully treated. A second tumor was found in 2021, which he also underwent surgery for (Mirror).
Martin has spoken publicly about both health scares, describing the second diagnosis as “devastating” but expressing gratitude for the support from his family — including Gary.
As of 2025, Martin says he is “feeling fine” and has returned to his career in acting and TV appearances.
For Gary Kemp, his brother’s health crisis created an undeniable priority shift. Whatever lingering friction existed between them during the band years, Martin’s tumors forced a reconciliation that might otherwise have taken years — or never come at all.
Timeline
- 1959 – Gary Kemp born in Islington, London
- 1979 – Spandau Ballet formed
- 1999 – Tony Hadley files lawsuit against Gary Kemp over royalties; case ruled in Gary’s favor (BBC News)
- 2017 – Tony Hadley files a second lawsuit and leaves Spandau Ballet
- 2019–2021 – Martin Kemp diagnosed with brain tumors twice (Mirror)
- 2023 – Gary Kemp releases solo album “This Destination”
Confirmed facts vs. uncertainty
Confirmed facts
- Gary and Martin Kemp are brothers, not twins (Wikipedia)
- Tony Hadley sued Gary Kemp for unpaid royalties; the case was settled (BBC News)
- Martin Kemp had two brain tumors and received treatment (Mirror)
What’s unclear
- Exact current net worth of Gary Kemp
- Whether the brothers are fully reconciled or still have residual tension
- Status of Martin Kemp and Tony Hadley’s relationship
Quotes
“We were like brothers.”
Gary Kemp, speaking about his relationship with Tony Hadley in a 2017 interview with BBC News
“It was bloody difficult.”
Tony Hadley, reflecting on the Spandau Ballet reunion in 2025 in an interview with Yahoo News Australia
Summary
Gary Kemp remains one of British pop’s most prolific songwriters, but his legacy is inseparable from the feuds that defined Spandau Ballet’s later years. The Kemp brothers have rebuilt their relationship — catalyzed by Martin’s health crisis — but the band’s original lineup is unlikely to reunite. For Tony Hadley fans, the choice is clear: accept the Kemp brothers as a duo, or hold out for a reunion that may never come.
Related reading: **David Essex: Biography, Career, and Personal Life** · **Paul Nicholas: Biography, Career, and Family Life**
mirror.co.uk, pulse.mallesons.com, youtube.com, en.wikipedia.org, x.com, inkbrief.uk
Fansen är ofta nyfikna på dynamiken mellan bröderna, och en titt på hans bror Martin Kemp ger ytterligare inblick i familjebanden inom Spandau Ballet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gary Kemp’s date of birth?
Gary Kemp was born on 16 October 1959 in Islington, London.
What are Gary Kemp’s most famous songs?
Gary Kemp wrote Spandau Ballet’s biggest hits, including “True,” “Gold,” and “Through the Barricades.”
Is Gary Kemp still married to Lauren Barber?
Yes, Gary Kemp has been married to Lauren Barber since 2003.
How many children does Gary Kemp have?
Gary Kemp has two children with his wife Lauren Barber.
What acting roles has Gary Kemp had?
Gary Kemp has appeared in films including “The Krays” and TV shows such as “EastEnders.”
Does Gary Kemp still perform with Spandau Ballet?
Spandau Ballet is no longer active. Gary Kemp currently performs with Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets.
What is Gary Kemp’s role in Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets?
Gary Kemp plays guitar and sings in Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, a Pink Floyd tribute band formed in 2018.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.