I still get imposter syndrome...it's TRUE

As Spandau Ballet songwriter Gary Kemp releases a new solo album, he comes clean on his confidence crisis, older parenthood and why Eighties musicians remain the best

- By Jane Oddy

WHEN brothers Gary and Martin Kemp formed Spandau Ballet in the Eighties, they became superstars in one of the most successful pop bands in history. Across 20 years, including a decade-long reunion from 2009 to 2019, the New Romantic five-piece sold 25 million albums and became part of the synth-pop Second British Invasion.

And as guitarist and songwriter, Gary was Spandau Ballet's creative force -- penning global hits, such as Gold and True.

His success also translated to Hollywood. In 1990, he and Martin co-starred in the gangster biopic The Krays. Then came The Bodyguard, alongside Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, which became one of the top ten highest-grossing films of all time following its 1992 release.

Despite all this, Gary -- who releases his third solo album, the reflective This Destination, next Friday -- reveals he still struggles to acknowledge his talent.

"When I was young, a lot of time was wasted thinking I was an imposter and shouldn't really be there. Always. For a long time. Not now so much, no, but you do occasionally feel that," he admits.

Those doubts persist to this day when he is being complimented on his songwriting.

"It gives me a warm feeling but also then part of me thinks, 'Really? Is it true?'" he smiles. "In many ways, I wish I'd trusted myself and done more than three albums. Now, I would tell my younger self to work harder, as life is too short.

"Don't take time deliberating on whether you are good enough. Just do it."

The modest musician says he's proud to have been part of the Eighties music phenomenon.

"We had no computers to smarten things up. People were good at what they did. The young kids were in charge and no older A&R men were telling us what to do," he tells me.

"It was a great generation and globally what happened was incredible, whether it was us, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Sade or Paul Weller. All of us are still going, pretty much."