Tony's still a hit

From the archive, first published Friday 25th Jul 2003.

Eighties heart-throb Tony Hadley sent nostalgic female fans weak at the knees when he played at Brierley Hill club The Shed. The former Spandau Ballet singer and his band played a crowd-pleasing two-set sell-out show at the Wedgbury Way venue - as part of a UK tour.

He warmed up the diverse mix of clubbers with a selection of slushy ballads - Only When You Leave, Dance With Me, I Can't Make You Love Me, Follow Me and How Can I Live Without You - during his first half hour on stage, having taken the unusual step of supporting himself! And around 30 minutes later he re-emerged - ready to rock.

Dressed in trademark black, the singer proved why he won ITV's Reborn in the USA talent show - when he belted out an array of original new tracks, covers and old Spandau favourites.

The more lively second set, featured - along with defining Spandau hit Through the Barricades - more than its fair share of covers.

They included a brave, but inevitably less funky rendition of Red Hot Chili Peppers' classic Under the Bridge; Walking in Memphis; an ironic version of Duran Duran hit Save a Prayer (plus confessions that had he had always been a closet Duran fan despite their well-publicised rivalry) - and a faithful version of Tom Petty's Free Fallin', which was the highlight of the show for me.

Naturally, he saved the best for last - bowing out in style with Spandau's most memorable hits, Gold and True. Bev Holder

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