Singer Tony Hadley revealed he’s healed a rift with his Spandau Ballet bandmate, Steve Norman.
The frontman said he was back on speaking terms with saxophonist Steve, 60, and had even attended his mother’s to his mother’s funeral.
Tony, also 60, told the Stars Cars Guitars podcast: ‘We were always great pals. His mum Sheila was my mum’s best pal for many, many, many years.
Patched things up: Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley revealed he’s healed rift with bandmate Steve Norman, (right) following the group’s acrimonious split three years ago
‘Me and Steve have touched base and I went to the funeral to pay my respects. You know, there’s a deep friendship there.
‘It was nice and I think Steve feels as aggrieved as I do about circumstances with the band.’
The group fell out in 2017 when Tony left the band, and tweeted: ‘Due to circumstances beyond my control, it is with deep regret that I am required to state that I am no long a member of the band Spandau Ballet, and as such I will not be performing with this band in the near future.’
The group fell out in 2017 when Tony left the band, tweeting: ‘Due to circumstances beyond my control, it is with deep regret that I am required to state that I am no long a member of the band Spandau Ballet, and as such I will not be performing with this band in the near future’ (pictured in 2014)
The band then said: ‘Much to our frustration, Tony had made it clear in September 2016 that he didn’t want to work with the band anymore.
‘This has not changed and 2015 was the last time we were able to perform or work with him. So we have now made the decision to move on as a band.’
Back in July, Tony ruled out rejoining the band, revealing he is ‘done’ with it.
He claimed he wasn’t approached to appear in Gary and Martin Kemp’s mockumentary The Kemps: All True… but that he would have declined anyway.
Tony said: ‘I wasn’t approached and would not have anything to do with it. I’m done.
‘They want me back for good but it ain’t going to happen. I’d rather be happy on my own than be in that band again. If they want another lead singer, that’s their choice.’
He told The Sun: ‘But if you want to hear those songs sung by the original singer then you can only really see one bloke — and that’s me.’
A look back in time: The band pictured in 1983, are famous for such hits including Gold, True and Through The Barricades
Tony previously told Smooth Radio: ‘You know what? I think the whole thing is really sad. I’ve never said it publicly, and I probably never will say exactly why I left.
‘It just got to the point where I couldn’t do it anymore – you know, for whatever reason. It just all went too far.’
In June 2018, Spandau Ballet employed a new singer, Ross William Wild, 32, but they parted ways 11 months later.
When co-host Phillip Schofield asked him if the group had decided to end touring, he confirmed: ‘Until Tony comes back … until the five of us come back. It’s not just Tony, all five of us.
‘Listen, my band is so volatile, one minute we are the best friends then we fall out, it has always been that way.
‘I would love it to happen because it is part of me it is part of my soul. But it means all five of us saying yes at the same time.’
The group reunited in 2015 for a world tour and have split up on-and-off over their career spanning more than three decades.
Tony was the lead vocalist throughout the 80s, but his relationships with his bandmates hadn’t always been plain sailing.
In 1999, Tony, drummer John and sax player Steve were embroiled in a lawsuit over royalties with chief songwriter Gary, but they failed in their efforts.
Ross’ departure comes just 11 months after his addition to the iconic group was announced to much fanfare in June 2018, with Martin saying Ross’ ‘younger energy’ has rejuvenated the group, giving them ‘more vigour’ when they perform.
He said: ‘I first heard Ross when We did Million Dollar Quartet together last year. He is an incredible talent, I’m so pleased his now part of Spandau Ballet! Ross is a perfect fit for Spandau, and brings a new younger energy to the band that we are all enjoying!’
‘What you’ll notice more than anything else is we’re playing better, playing with more vigour than I’ve ever heard from us, and I think that’s because of the way he sings.’
On joining the band Ross said: ‘Spandau’s music is so current. Having listened to it from a young age and then getting back into it recently, this stuff is still so valid. That’s why it’s important that they keep going.
‘Spandau Ballet isn’t about one person. It isn’t just about the boys that are there now. It’s not about me. It was a movement. If it wasn’t for Spandau so much stuff wouldn’t have happened. They are pioneers.’
Trying things out: In June 2018, Spandau Ballet employed a new singer, Ross William Wild, 32, but they parted ways 11 months later