Bob Seger

Seger and 3DD lead singer, Brad Arnold, both sing on "Landing In London" on the album Seventeen Days. Recently, the band have managed to put their differences behind them and a reunion tour has been mentioned; however, the success of Martin Kemp's acting career means that plans remain on hold. Seger was recording at the same studio as 3 Doors Down when 3DD's manager asked if he would sing on their album. The three non-Kemp members toured as a trio, but as Gary Kemp owned the rights to the name of Spandau Ballet, they had to go under the less-than-catchy moniker of 'Hadley, Keeble and Norman, ex-Spandau Ballet'. Also during 2004, Seger was working on his first new album in 10 years, titled Face the Promise; release of this disc is thought to be delayed until some time in 2005. As a result, Hadley in particular was left very short of money, and he ended up entertaining troops and taking part in the reality show Reborn in the USA. Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2004. In the 1990s, Hadley, Keeble and Norman launched a failed court case against Gary Kemp for a share of royalties which they claimed they were due.

Seger's classic take on life on the road, "Turn the Page", was later covered by Metallica. Gary Kemp did a little more acting, appearing in a supporting role in the Kevin Costner hit The Bodyguard, and in 1996 released a critically praised solo album, Little Bruises. Other familiar Seger songs include "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man", "Night Moves", and "Hollywood Nights", but his most recognizable songs are almost certainly "Old Time Rock and Roll" (featured in the film Risky Business) and "Like a Rock" (the latter being most familiar to many younger Americans through its association with a long-running Chevrolet ad campaign). Martin Kemp went on to land an acting role in the UK soap opera Eastenders, while Tony Hadley floundered trying to establish a solo career. Later in his career, Seger mellowed somewhat and he had a series of hits in the '80s with such mid-tempo ballads as "We've Got Tonight" and "Against the Wind". The album bombed and Spandau Ballet — from whom Gary Kemp was already feeling estranged — split up for good. Seger's early work is hard-rocking and shows the influence of fellow Michiganers Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels as well as pioneer rock-and-rollers such as Chuck Berry. After a hiatus from recording during which the Kemps established themselves as credible actors in the gangster film The Krays, the band released Heart Like a Sky in 1989.

Seger's successes paved the way for other heartland rockers including John Mellencamp and the Michael Stanley Band. The title track was a big hit in the UK, but the album did nothing in America. As such he is often dismissed as a poor man's Bruce Springsteen, though this is an unfair comparison since Seger's career as a professional musician predates Springsteen's by five years. In 1986 Spandau Ballet signed to Epic Records and released Through the Barricades, which saw the band trying to move away from the pop/soul influences of True and Parade and more towards rock. Seger is known as a workhorse midwestern roots-rocker who dealt with blue-collar themes and toured constantly in support of his frequent album releases. At the end of 1984, the band performed on the Band Aid charity single, with Hadley taking a prominent lead vocal role; and in 1985, they performed at the Wembley end of Live Aid. He is best known for his work with the Silver Bullet Band, a group he formed in 1974. Its opening single "Only When You Leave" became their last American hit.

Seger started his musical career in the 1960s in his native Detroit as a singer and as the leader of the Bob Seger System. But the followup, Parade (1984), was critically drubbed for failing to move the band's sound forward. Robert Clark "Bob" Seger (born May 6, 1945) was an important figure in American rock and roll and pop music in the 1970s and 1980s, and continues to be influential today. The album topped the charts on the both sides of the Atlantic and launched several hit singles such as "Gold" and the aforementioned title cut. Extensive fan website (http://www.segerfile.com). It was at this point that Norman became the band's sax player. Official website (http://www.bobseger.com). The image changed too - the cossack outfits and make-up of New Romanticism (which was dying as a fad in 1983 anyway) had been replaced by smart suits and well-scrubbed faces.

Face the Promise (due for release in 2005). With newfound confidence and a cleaner, radio-friendly sound, Spandau Ballet finally broke into the mainstream with True (1983), an album whose title cut was a six-minute opus paying tribute to the Motown sound (and in some respects, Marvin Gaye). It's a Mystery (1995). It was a massive hit. The Fire Inside (1991). Horn also took the Diamond album track "Instinction" and gave it a bombastic dance remix that sounded not unlike the work he would later do for Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Like a Rock (1986). The followup album Diamond performed poorly, despite a big hit with "Chant No.1", and the band met with veteran producer Trevor Horn, who advised them on how to revamp their image and sound.

The Distance (1982). This was followed by "The Freeze" and "Musclebound" and the well-received album Journeys to Glory. Nine Tonight (1981). The band eventually signed to Island Records and released "To Cut a Long Story Short", a British hit in 1980. Against the Wind (1980). They began performing and generating positive buzz around London as the house band at the Blitz nightclub, which became regarded as the birthplace of a new 1980s music and fashion phenomenon called New Romanticism. Stranger in Town (1978). The band were initially called 'The Makers', but changed their name after a visit to Berlin, the inspiration from graffiti on the walls of Spandau Prison.

Night Moves (1976). Guitarist and songwriter Gary Kemp and his brother, bassist Martin Kemp formed the band in 1979, with drummer John Keeble, lead vocalist Tony Hadley and Steve Norman, who initially played guitar but later switched to saxophone when the band changed musical direction. Live Bullet (1976). As with their poppier rivals Duran Duran they 'broke America', albeit briefly. Beautiful Loser (1975). Initially inspired by a mixture of funk, synthpop and New Romantic, they eventually mellowed into a mainstream AOR pop act. Seven (1974). Spandau Ballet was a popular band of the 1980s.

Back in '72 (1973). Smokin' O.P.'s (1972). Brand New Morning (1971). Mongrel (1970).

Noah (1969). Ramblin' Gamblin' Man (1969).