Gary Kemp has an estimated net worth of $12 million. He is an English musician, songwriter, actor, and radio and podcast host. He is known as the guitarist and key songwriter for the band Spandau Ballet. As a member of Spandau Ballet, Gary was indeed involved in writing some of the band’s biggest hit songs and records, including True, Gold, and Through the Barricades.
Gary has also worked on other projects outside of the band that have led to a diverse work history and career in both music and acting. More recently, he has worked as a member of Nick Mason’s “Saucerful of Secrets,” a band that celebrates much of the early work of Pink Floyd, in addition to his other acting and music projects. Gary has built genuine credibility as one of the UK’s most respected Entertainment creators.
Early Life of Gary Kemp
Gary Kemp was born on October 16th, 1959 in Smithfield, London and grew up in the working-class district of Islington. He attended Dame Alice Owen’s School, where he became friends with his future bandmates of Spandau Ballet—John Keeble, Steve Norman, and Tony Hadley. Gary’s younger brother Martin (who also attended the same school as Gary and Gary’s other friends) was also an original member of Spandau Ballet.
Gary initially pursued acting and attended Anna Scher Theatre School, where he performed in stage and television shows as a teenager However, Gary, toward the end of the 1970s, found himself less interested in acting and more involved in music, mainly experimenting with bands with his school and neighborhood friends.
Spandau Ballet and Fame in the 1980’s
Spandau Ballet formed in 1979 and came together as a band from the New Romantic club circuit in London. With Kemp on guitar and writing the overwhelming majority of songs, the band quickly established themselves as a defining act of the era.
The group had their promising first album, Journeys to Glory (1981), which included hits such as To Cut a Long Story Short. However, the band achieved global success with True (1983), featuring the ballad True and other popular songs like Gold and Lifeline.
During the 1980s, Spandau Ballet became an international superstar, selling millions of albums and touring extensively throughout Europe, Australia, and North America. The songwriting of Kemp supplied the band with its signature mixture of style, pop appeal, and musical sophistication.
By the late ’80s, tensions in the group began to develop, and Spandau Ballet officially broke up in 1990.
Royalty Lawsuit & Reunion
In 1999, Hadley, John Keeble, and Steve Norman sued Kemp, claiming they were entitled to a share of songwriting royalties. The lawsuit was unsuccessful due to the fact that Kemp never shared credit for songwriting.
Although the lawsuit left a rift between the members, the band reunited in 2009 for the film Soul Boys of the Western World and to tour again successfully. They subsequently released Once More, which featured re-recordings of classic songs and two new songs. However, by 2017 tensions had begun to flare up again, and Hadley left the band for good. Kemp has ruled out the possibility of performing together again since. Solo Career in Music and Acting
Following the first breakup of Spandau Ballet, Kemp released a solo album entitled Little Bruises in 1995. The album was not immensely successful in commercial terms but highlighted Kemp’s ability as a conscientious singer-songwriter.
He began an acting career, gaining notoriety for his depiction of Ronnie Kray in the film The Krays, in which his brother Martin starred as Reggie Kray. Aside from this film, Kemp also featured in the following films:
The Bodyguard (1992)
Killing Zoe (1993)
Dog Eat Dog (2001)
On television, Kemp has appeared in many different dramas, endorsing himself as a credible actor in addition to musician.
Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets
In 2018, Kemp went back to his music roots by joining Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, a project devoted to performing the early music of Pink Floyd. The group has since toured internationally and has released live recordings, presenting Kemp to audiences in yet another artistic capacity.
Broadcasting and Podcasts
Kemp has been working away at another career niche for quite some time. He co-hosts the Rockonteurs podcast with Guy Pratt, a show where they regularly chat with significant performers in the world of rock and pop, and it has received good praise for its conversational tone and inside knowledge. The podcast is hugely popular with fans.
Kemp has also hosted or appeared in music-related programming for BBC, Channel 4, and Sky Arts, which further roots him in cultural commentary.
Personal Life
Gary Kemp married actress and designer Sadie Frost in 1988. The couple had a child named Finlay before finalizing their divorce in 1995. In 2003 Kemp married Lauren Barber, and they have three children together as well. The family resides in London.
Kemp was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2021, honoring his contribution to music and the arts.
Gary Kemp’s Net Worth Breakdown
Spandau Ballet Royalties: Kemp continues to earn money as a songwriter on songs he wrote, such as “True” and “Gold.”
Filming and acting: Red has appeared in numerous film and television roles and has done so for over three decades.
Son and Side Projects: Including “Little Bruises” and touring with Nick Mason.
Broadcasting, Radio, and Podcasting: Income generated from Rockonteurs as well as appearances on BBC television.
Altogether, these sources contribute to his estimated \$12 million net worth.
FAQ About Gary Kemp
What is Gary Kemp’s net worth? Gary Kemp’s net worth is estimated to be around \$12 Million.
What band is Gary Kemp best known for? Gary Kemp is best known as the guitarist and songwriter of Spandau Ballet.
What are some of Gary Kemp’s most well-known songs?
 He has written “True,” “Gold,” “Through the Barricades,” and “To Cut a Long Story Short,” in addition to others.
Did Gary Kemp act in films?
 Yes, he is primarily known for playing Ronnie Kray in the film “The Krays” in addition to other films and television dramas.
Does Gary Kemp still perform?
 Yes, he has been performing as a member of Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets since 2018 and has toured around the world.
Has Gary Kemp been honored?Â
Yes, Gary Kemp was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2021 for his services to music and the arts.
