WHAT WERE THE OTHER WORKING TITLES FOR YOUR BOOK? WASN’T IT GOING TO BE CALLED ‘THAT’S LIFE’ AT ONE STAGE?

Yes, but we felt that title was just too close to the Sinatra connection, even though the lyrics to that song really do say it all!

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ‘REBORN IN THE USA’ NOW YOU CAN LOOK BACK AT IT?

For me I just felt that it was pure Saturday night TV exposure and as I had a tour, an album and a charity trek all planned it seemed obvious to do it, and I had a great time to boot!

WHICH OF THOSE ARTISTS WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOUR FRIENDS NOW… AND ARE THERE ANY YOU’D BE HAPPY NEVER SEE AGAIN!?!

I’d known Pete Cox, Leee John and Sonia for several years and have met them many times… to be honest nearly everyone was pretty much OK, although there were a few moments!

THERE WAS TALK IN THE EIGHTIES ABOUT SPANDAU DOING A JAMES BOND THEME – IS THERE ANY TRUTH TO THAT AND ARE THERE ANY PREVIOUS THEMES YOU’D FANCY HAVING A GO AT?

I think that was more wishful thinking on our part, although I’m sure we would have been considered, but yes I would love to sing a James Bond theme – like most people I’m a massive fan.

YOU’VE DECIDED TO DO THE JAZZ SWING ALBUM RATHER THAN AN ALBUM OF NEW SONGS THIS YEAR. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE ON THIS ALBUM?

I think the whole Sinatra thing has been done to death so this will be an album of songs that a lot of people won’t be familiar with but will hopefully love! I’m a massive fan of people like Tony Bennett, Jack Jones and Mel Torme… so there’s some clues for you!

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEW DURAN DURAN ALBUM AND IF SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK? DOES THEIR RECENT SUCCESS MAKE YOU NOSTALGIC ENOUGH TO WANT TO PUT SPANDAU BACK TOGETHER?

I haven’t bought it yet but I will. I’m genuinely pleased for them and have always liked their stuff… as for Spandau Ballet I cover that in my book and nothing has really changed since then.

YOU WILL BE APPEARING IN TORQUAY ON THIS TOUR – WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE BEING BACK IN THE PLACE WHERE YOU MADE ONE OF YOUR FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCES WHEN YOU WON THAT TALENT CONTEST AT THE AGE OF 13?

It’s a beautiful part of the England and as a kid I loved it and I’m sure I still will.

I HAVE HEARD THAT MARTIN’S GOLD LAME SUIT WENT DOWN A STORM IN AUSTRALIA IN NOVEMBER… WILL YOU BE JOINING HIM IN WEARING ANY OF YOUR 80’S OUTFITS DURING THE TOUR?

What do you think!?!

YOU’VE DONE A ‘TONY HADLEY VS’ TOUR WITH PETER COX AND NOW WITH MARTIN FRY… WILL THERE BE MORE AND WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DO ONE WITH?

You never know, there might be more – maybe all three of us one day, but it won’t be next year as that’s when I’m celebrating my 25th Anniversary!

OBVIOUSLY FANS WANT TO HEAR YOU SING A FEW SPANDAU SONGS AT YOUR CONCERTS, BUT HOW DO YOU CHOOSE WHICH ONES TO DO?

The ones that will be there until the day I die are ‘Gold’, ‘True’ and my personal favourite ‘Through The Barricades’, but for this tour we’re also doing ‘Instinction’…

AFTER EVERYTHING YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO PERSUE A CAREER IN MUSIC AND WOULD YOU HELP THEM OR LET THEM MAKE THEIR OWN WAY?

I wouldn’t discourage anyone from being a professional musician but I would always warn them not to be too trusting of the people around them, and always take independent advice and of course I’d help them – you’d always help your kids!

WHAT ITEM WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO BE WITHOUT WHEN YOU’RE TRAVELLING (OTHER THAN A MOBILE PHONE)?

It would have to be a CD Walkman.

OF ALL THE SONGS THAT YOU’VE WRITTEN/SUNG, WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK REALLY SAYS ‘THIS IS TONY HADLEY’?

‘That’s Life’

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU’VE DONE / EXPERIENCED IN LIFE SO FAR?

Being a father. But apart from that I love to ski, scuba dive and horse ride and I’m just very happy to still be doing what I love to do…

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Family and friends, and knowing that they’re happy too, good food and stacks of good French wine!

WHAT RELEASES ARE IN THE PIPELINE FOR YOU AT THE MOMENT, AND WILL THERE BE SINGLES AS WELL AS ALBUMS?

Apart from the live DVD and CD of me and Martin I’m going to be recording a jazz/swing album and possibly putting together some sort of compilation for the 25th Anniversary next year.

ANY PLANS TO DEVELOP YOUR ACTING CAREER IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

I live in hope!

ARE YOU STILL THINKING OF BECOMING AN MP? IF SO WILL THAT MEAN LESS TOURING?

I can’t see that happening for some time as I love music so much and am so involved in that, but I do care very deeply about my country and how it is being run and that’s why I love politics too.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS TIME?

I would love just to be still playing and making music.

DO YOU THINK YOU’LL EVER RETIRE OR WILL YOU JUST KEEP ON SINGING?

If my voice remains strong, please God, hopefully I’ll be singing until the end – sorry to disappoint you!

ANY CHANCE OF SOME SHOWS IN (INSERT NAME OF PRETTY MUCH ANY COUNTRY YOU CAN THINK OF HERE!) IN THE FUTURE?

We do need to be touring in more and more countries outside the UK and we are working on it. As you know, I love Italy (although the rest of Europe and the world are great too!) and I would love to play China, Russia and India…

THIS IS GOING TO SOUND STUPID BUT ONE THING I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW IS WHAT SIZE SHOE DO YOU TAKE? I’M A 5′ 11″ GIRL WHO TAKES SIZE 11!

I’m a 6’4″ bloke and I take size nine which is very small!

IF YOU WERE A PLUMBER AND YOU COULD UNBLOCK ONE CELEBRITIES TOILET, WHO’S WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

John Keeble because I love him, he’s my mate!

HAVE YOU EVER MET ANYONE ELSE CALLED TONY HADLEY (THERE IS AN ATHLETICS COACH WITH YOUR NAME) AND IF SO WHAT WERE THEY LIKE?

No I haven’t, but I have met a couple of kids who have been given ‘Hadley’ as a first name – strange but true!

Many thanks to everyone who sent in questions for Tony!

FEBRUARY 2005

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