4:49pm Monday 5th May 2003
Were you surprised to win Reborn in the USA?
To be honest I wasn't sure. What happened to Pete [Cox, the former singer with Go West who fluffed a line] was unfortunate, especially with the New York audience being pretty harsh. There's no doubt about it, the standard of musicianship and the quality in America is superb. Then there was Michelle Gayle who beat my good friend Lee John [former Imagination lead singer] who has big, big fan base. She has a lot of fans who are very dedicated and I wasn't going to be too presumptuous and say Hey, I'm Tony Hadley and I'm going to win.'
Was there a lot of tension between you and Michelle?
No, but there was between Dollar and Sonia, which was unfortunate. But, from my point of view, it was Come on guys, get a life. We're all on tour in America getting well paid for prime-time TV without any hidden cameras and you had a lot of time off as well.'
Why did you do Reborn in the USA? You didn't need to because you already had your own solo tour, an album, a single and a trip to Peru lined up.
I think every now and then you have to take a chance in life. I did it for several reasons: because there was no hidden cameras, a bit of publicity, to put as much distance between myself and Spandau [Ballet] as possible and my court case which was pending in June has been dropped [Hadley was in dispute with former band members Gary and Martin Kemp over a trademark issue which meant he couldn't use the name of Spandau Ballet although he says he had never wanted to anyway]. In essence I did it because it would put me back in the public eye in a bigger way than I was before and give me a whole new audience. It is quite funny when you are at a garage and 16-year-olds are saying There's Tony Hadley from Reborn.'
You seemed to have a good relationship with Peter Cox.
I've known Peter for years. Go West were on the same record label as us [Chrysalis] but we've become great mates because of the show.
Did everyone get on?
Everyone got on remarkably well to be honest and everyone was cool.
What did you get up to in your spare time?
I hit every bar in town with the crew, who were a really good bunch. What did you expect, a hot cup of cocoa and early to bed?
Any off screen romances?
That was never going to happen what with all the TV cameras around. Who would you put me with?
Michelle Gayle.
But we used to argue all the time. She had her opinions and I had mine and we tended to agree to disagree.
Anything else going on?
I know the tabloid press and the producer of the show would have loved a bit of scandal but there was nothing going on ... and if there was it's not coming from me.
Is there going to be another Reborn in the USA?
I think it cost too much money. I didn't even get a prize! I mean, a magnum of Champagne or a case of Boddingtons would have done.
On your 1998 self-titled album you recorded a Duran Duran song, Save A Prayer. I thought Spandau Ballet hated them.
No, Simon Le Bon sings on the song and he's a good lad. They're getting back together again.
Is there any chance of Spandau reforming after the court case?
Some former members of the band keep intimating once we all settle down we could get back together again but that will not happen. Things went way too far for there ever being a relationship with the Kemps again.
You the Here and Now Tour with popular artists from the 80s including with former Spandau members Steve Norman and John Keeble. I take it you're still pals with them?
I am, John is in my band and I speak to Steve every now and then. We had some good times and there were some bad times. I'm a solo artist now and I've got a great band at the moment and that's all I want to concentrate on now.
When people think about the 80s they think about Spandau, the Duranies, Culture Club, big hair and fluorescent shirts. Why does it all seem so cheesy?
At the time you think you're great but when you look at a picture of yourself 20 later you think What a prat!'
What did you think about the alternative bands, such as The Smiths and Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, who briefly shared the limelight with you?
I liked it. I like all sorts of music anyway. At the moment I'm listening to Queens of The Stone Age, Wheatus and Offspring. But I also love Hall and Oates and Queen, Bowie, Marc Bolan and Sinatra. The only thing I don't like is Gangsta Rap.
What is your favourite album?
The album I always go back to is by a guy called Shawn Mullins called Souls Core. It's great.
What songs are you doing on this tour?
A few Spandau songs because people want to hear Gold, True and Through the Barricades plus some of my own stuff.
And what about the future?
Among other things I might be doing is a concert with Pete Cox. We are thinking about putting an orchestra together and doing some swing later in the year with special guests. It should be fun.
Read our extended interview with
Tony Hadley at http://www.newsshopper.co.uk
You can see Tony Hadley at Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, Croydon, May 7, 7.45pm, £13-£10, 020 8688 9291
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