Martin Kemp has enjoyed a successful career in the entertainment industry, making his fortune as a musician and actor. He is best known for playing the bass guitar in Spandau Ballet, and for playing Steve Owen in Eastenders. Having reached the Top Ten of the UK Album Charts, Martin had several top hits with the new wave band, and performed with the band right up until 2019. With a successful musical career under his belt, Martin is now available to hire to make appearances at a range of events, increasing the star appeal of events of all kinds.
Formed in 1979, Spandau Ballet was a new wave band that took inspiration from the post-punk underground dance scene. Starting out as the house band for the Blitz Kids, Spandau Ballet quickly became one of the most popular and successful bands of the New Romantic era. Storming to the height of popularity with Spandau Ballet, Martin played the bass guitar in some of the band's most famed songs, including Through The Barricades, Only When You Leave, With The Pride and This Is The Love.
The classic line-up of the band consisted of Gary Kemp, Tony Hadley, Steve Norman and John Keeble with the addition of Ross William Wild in later years. The band’s biggest fame was their album True, with which they achieved no.1 in the UK and a Top Five in the US. Martin also performed on the Band Aid single Do They Know It’s Christmas? written by Bob Geldof. Martin also performed in many sell-out tours with the band, and also performed at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium. Outside of performing in Spandau Ballet, Martin has forged a respectable career as an actor, starring in programmes such as Eastenders, Waterloo Road, The Brides in the Bath, The Bill and Can’t Buy Me Love. He has also claimed awards such as the British Soap Award for Best Actor and the National Television Award for Most Popular Actor in 2000.
With a revered musical carer to his name, Martin continues to be at the forefront of the entertainment industry. Today, he is the Co-Presenter of Martin & Roman’s Sunday Best! and Martin & Roman’s Weekend Best! alongside his son Roman Kemp. He is also a passionate Patron of the Encephalitis Society and shares his experiences of dealing with Epilepsy and brain tumours. With a highly successful history in music, book Martin Kemp today for your next event!
