Gary Kemp opens up about 'getting really emotional' over Spandau Ballet's Gold success

Virgin Radio

3 Oct 2023, 12:58

Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet revealed that the success of the band's hit single Gold causes him to start "getting really emotional", thinking that he's not "worthy" of all the acclaim.

Virigiradio.co.uk got an exclusive interview with Spandau Ballet's songwriter, Gary Kemp at the BMI London Awards last night (2nd October), where the multi-instrumentalist and actor was being honoured with the Icon Award for his contributions to music, having essentially sound-tracked the eighties.

After having received the award, Kemp was rather reflective and began to look back at what song in particular led to him being a recipient of this, as well as many other, accolade.

Singling out fan-favourite, Through the Barricades, as a particular highlight for showcasing his abilities as a composer he said: "It's the one probably - in that period - that I'm the most proud of. I think that's the strongest of all the songs probably."

However, the track that still seems to resonate with Kemp after all these years, and is a staple of wedding playlists everywhere, is hit single Gold.

Speaking on how it's connection to people can occasionally bring a tear to the eye, Kemp said: "I get really- I got really emotional when I was over [at] The Arsenal and they sing Gold every week to one of the players - Zinchenko.

"And there's a little bit of a clip of me on Instagram when I was at Wembley, when we played Man City, and they were all singing it. And that was extraordinary."

In the clip, a rather shy and blushing Kemp can just about be heard accepting the clear praise, admitting that it feels "nice" to have so many people singing his own composition.

The video also caught the attention of Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright who shared his own story of belting out the classic, commenting: "Once when I was a teen doing a pub crawl me and my friends walked the long walk from one drinking hole another and we were singing Gold at a loud inebriated volume.

"From miles away we could see one lone bloke walking towards us and as he got closer we saw that he was singing ‘Gold’ along with us. It was a special moment. I wonder if that random stranger ever thinks of it too when he hears the song again."

For Kemp though, this success doesn't cause him to rest on his laurels as he confessed that his talent doesn't making writing a new hit any easier as '"every song is challenging".

This modesty is a pattern for Kemp, who could probably fill the national gallery with his own personal collection of gold records, but he hasn't gotten used to the approval and is still "not very good at accepting awards" admitting: "I'm never sure that I'm worthy enough. But if people think so then I'm happy to be here now"

Humbled by the whole experience Kemp went on to say about his award: "It feels great. It feels a great honour. For all the people who work for me in my publishing side of things, but also, you know, just to mention what a great band I was in. If it wasn't for those guys, I wouldn't be standing here."

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