After Spandau Ballet broke up, Mike Kemp was unable to buy a record for eight years because it made him feel “physically ill.”
The celebrity, Martin, who was the bassist in the new wave band prior to its disbandment in 1990, went on to act after it came to an end.
After filming the new BBC Two show Rock Until We Drop, Martin spoke to the Radio Times about the lessons he had learnt.
The program recruits amateur musicians over the age of 64 for auditions with Kemp and his co-host, musician Lady Leshurr.
The winning musicians become two rock bands who play at the Isle of Wight Festival.
I had about eight years when I wouldn’t even buy a record because it made me feel physically unwell after Spandau Ballet broke up.
“It’s been a trial the past few years being in Spandau. We’d go from fighting to being pals, then back to arguing. It’s been a struggle for the past several years,” he added.
“Rock Until We Drop made me realize how enjoyable the music business may be. It’s all about reaching your goals and having a good time.”
Spandau Ballet reunited in 2009 for a world tour, which they continued to perform until 2019, when they announced the final split.
On the subject of rejection, Kemp said, “It’s difficult to turn someone down if they’re awesome.” She went on to describe how hard it was to say no to potential bandmates.
“It was the most difficult, saddest, and darkest side of it all: telling individuals they hadn’t made it because I believe it’d be their last chance,” he added.
Martin, who was in Spandau Ballet with his brother Gary, has acted in a number of movies, including The Krays, about the notorious gangster twins Reginald and Ronald Kray.
Steve was a popular character on BBC One’s “EastEnders” from 1998 to 2002, winning a National Television Award for Best Actor in 2000 and other honors.
He donned a red Santa Claus suit to promote vaccination against coronavirus this winter during a film.
He is married to Shirlie Holliman, the other half of 1980s pop act Pepsi & Shirlie, and they have a daughter and a son, Harley Moon and Roman. A radio DJ, Roman (born 1992), is his child with Shirlie.
Roman, 29, said in November that he wouldn’t be using his influence to get Pepsi and Shirlie on stage at the Capital Jingle Bell Ball.
He also informed the crowd that Spandau Ballet would not be performing on the show, saying he already struggles to get away from his father’s 1983 gold-selling song.