This month .net interrogates Tony Hadley, singer with Eighties sound machine, Spandau Ballet. Responsible for hits such as 'Gold', 'True' and 'Through the Barricades', the group are still heroes of the New Romantic era.

Earlier this year, along with ex-band members Steve Norman and John Keeble, Tony performed a live Valentine's Day concert at London's Shepherd's Bush Empire. The '80s-tastic gig is still available to view online at Webcast and live music site, WembleyTV (www.wembleytv.com) so witness for yourself how synthesiser pop isn't dead just yet.

What Web sites have you been visiting this month?
I'm not a big Net surfer but recently the kids have been making me check out various car dealership Web sites as I am going to buy a new car soon. I love the Jaguar site...

A fan emails you and wants to 'chat', what do you do?
It is highly unlikely that a fan would ever get hold of my email address. If they did I would be very polite and put them on to my management company.

What's missing from the Internet?
It's got to be security!

You get an email asking for £20 towards a vital transplant operation, what do you do?
I already have a number of charities that I have been supporting for many years, such as the Children with Leukaemia Trust (www.leukaemia.org.uk). Now with the Internet there are even more requests coming through and the real problem is knowing if they are legitimate. That said, I would probably send the 20 quid...

Have you ever pretended to be someone you're not on the Web?
Of course not. I'm Tony Hadley...

Would you feel comfortable taking your hard drive into Dixons?
I wouldn't have a problem with that. The only things they'd find are my old song lyrics and the kids' homework.

What would you be most willing to auction online to get a bit of cash?
I quite often give my old stage clothes away to various charities to auction off. I am definitely never going to wear them again!

How would you go about hacking a secure Web server?
I haven't got a clue!

Should the Net be censored?
Definitely! There are a lot of sick people in the world and one of the things that the Internet has done is allowed them the ability to communicate with each other, and push their smut on a global scale.

Have you ever searched to see how much you appear on the Internet?
I haven't, but the kids sometimes do. They call me in so that they can have a laugh at all the old Spandau Ballet pictures that pop up from time to time.

 

 

---

---

Season Ticket Holder Tony Hadley shot to pop super stardom in the early 1980's as the lead singer of Spandau Ballet, performing hits such as Gold, True and To Cut A Long Story Short. Still involved in the music business, many Gunners' fans may remember Tony singing the national anthem at Wembley before Arsenal's historic FA Cup Final success against Newcastle in 1998.

What are your earliest Arsenal memories?
Charlie George winning the 'Double' for us with the FA Cup Final goal.

What was it that made you became a Gooner? - did you ever feel pressure to support another team?
Funnily enough my Dad wasn't a football fan but I lived in the flats near the ground and once I got into football, there was no doubt who I'd support. There was certainly never going to be any question of me supporting Spurs.

Who would you consider your first Highbury heroes?
Charlie George for that Cup winning goal. I did the mad young fan thing and had a bath in my Arsenal kit - honestly!

When we move to a new stadium what aspects of 'The Arsenal Tradition' would you like to be incorporated?
I'd like the new ground to be a mixture of the old and the new, if we could take the front of the East Stand wherever we go, combined with new facilities that would be the ideal.

It's hard to put your finger on what creates it, but I'd like to transfer the 'theatre' of visiting Highbury as well.

Arsenal to win the UEFA Champions League or England to win the World Cup?
England to win the World Cup, my country comes first.

You have £150M which three players would you bring to Highbury?
Petit - I always thought he was brilliant. Ronaldo - if he was fully fit. Beckham - he's a phenomenal player.

What's the most memorable game you've witnessed involving Arsenal - for the right reasons?
Arsenal v Newcastle, FA Cup Final 1998. It wasn't just the match and the 'Double' it was the whole day for me. I don't think I've ever had a more nerve-wracking experience than singing the National Anthem prior to the match. I've actually sang at a few similar events - though it's something that most singers are loathed to do - but the FA Cup Final was different.

I knew that if we didn't win my participation would have been seen as some kind of bad omen and I'd have got slaughtered for it. Thankfully it turned out brilliantly and I vividly remember going down to the Angel to celebrate and all my mates telling me I must have brought us luck!

What's the most memorable game you've witnessed involving Arsenal - for the wrong reasons?
There have been lots of disappointing defeats but I actually remember a game we won in this category. It was a home match against Sheffield Wednesday and it was one of the most boring matches I'd ever been to, the problem was I'd taken a friend to the game, saying it would be great. She wasn't impressed and you know that uncomfortable feeling when you're conscious of someone else not enjoying something. We won in the end 1-0 - Ian Wright.

List your all time Arsenal XI
Wilson, Dixon, Winterburn, Adams, Bould, Brady, Petit, Hornsby (my mate!), Gould, George, Radford.

Do you play as well as watch football?
I love playing, but don't get the chance to as much as I'd like. I've turned out for the Arsenal Ex-Pro and Celebs. I always play right-back, I've taken a few left-wingers out in my time.

Do you ever travel to away games? What games away from Highbury hold paricular memories and which other stadiums do you admire?
I don't get along to many away games because of other commitments. As far as Premiership grounds are concerned, I've been dragged along to Chelsea by one of my best mates from time to time, I must admit I don't mind Stamford Bridge nowadays.

I went to a few matches in France '98, I liked the stadium in Lens. I also liked the Amsterdam Arena, I sang before a tournament there and I went to the stadium in Arnhem where the pitch slides on and off which was interesting.

What are your hope for the Gunners in 2000/01?
I think that the fact Arsenal's youth system did so well last year was fantastic and the youth development at the club is immensely important. I hope we will see more of our young talent coming through. More immediately, if we don't win the Premiership I just hope Man United don't - I couldn't bear that.

by: The Fame Game http://arsenal.immstudios.com/content/hlaz_fame.htm

---

QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS  DHEKELIA  Dhekelia Garrison were determined to celebrate the Jubilee in style, and this aim was more than exceeded with the successful garrison fete and Party in the Park. Event planning started in November 2001, when all units on the Garrison began the phenomenal task of ensuring that the day contained ‘something for everyone’, not just those on the garrison but the local community as well. The Buglers of 2LI opened the Fete and over 4000 people enjoyed the fantastic weather and the many attractions in the main arena, as well as the wares of the 92 stallholders!   Amongst the wide variety of demonstrations and events held throughout the day, the It’s a Knockout Competition was hugely successful, with the children from KRS giving the PTIs a run for their money and also a great deal of entertainment to the crowds. The Minden Band and the Kimon Dancers from Xylotymbou proved popular, as was the Parachute Display, especially as one intrepid Parachutist, obviously dehydrated, managed to land in the Beer tent.    The Day also saw the conclusion of the CDASU All Island Working Dog trials; the animals and their handlers being put through their paces and apprehending ‘intruders’ in the arena. ‘Top Dog’ this year was PATAT dog Sam and handler SPO Petros Petrou from Episkopi, with Dhekelia’s PATAT dog Vico and SPO Hammi Enver as runners up.  With World Cup, as well as Jubilee fever sweeping the island, there was also a children’s mini world cup competition, which saw nearly 100 children, some from as far away as Limassol, battling it out for a place in the finals. BFBS were also on hand throughout the event, broadcasting live, as well as providing fun and games for all ages. Those who still had any energy left after the Fete, were back again in the evening for the Party in the Park, headlined by Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet and his band, who wowed the 3500 concert goers with Spandau Hits, ‘True’, ‘Gold’ and ‘Through the Barricades’ as well as a selection of other popular songs. They were ably supported by singer Nick Felgate, Madonna tribute act Tracey, Midnight Hour, (the Minden Band’s rock and soul group), Akrotiri band Fahrenheit and a magician as well as the BFBS road crew. Tony Hadley, who was extremely pleased with the way the concert had gone, was full of praise for the other artists and said: “It was great to have them as supporting acts”. Due to the fire risk, Dhekelia were unable to light a traditional beacon, so opted for more modern technology instead, with a laser show being recorded as one of the 1600 beacons lit. Photos and a report from the day will be included in the Jubilee Celebrations Archive in the UK: a record requested by Her Majesty the Queen to record all the major events which took place around the world during the Jubilee weekend. This exceptional garrison event finally drew to a close in the early hours on Tuesday morning and the committee would like to thank all those who helped to organise and run the day and, of course, all those who attended and made the event such a success.

What a Try Dive that was!!  Spandau Ballet front man and star of the Dhekelia Jubilee Party in the Park, Tony Hadley, found time to fulfil a sporting ambition during his time here in Cyprus, thanks to the CJSATC Sub-Aqua Wing.  Tony, whose father and brother are both qualified divers, has always wanted to give the sport a try, but his busy schedule meant that he always found it difficult to find the time. However, with some spare ‘R&R’ before flying back to the UK, Tony and band members Graham and Phil jumped at the chance to experience underwater Cyprus! At six feet four, even the largest of the suits at CJSATC nearly turned Tony into a soprano, but once in the water, Chief Instructor Cliff Pearn attested that Tony is a natural and put the singer through his paces, practising underwater somersaults. Tony himself, eloquent as ever, broke the surface of the water exclaiming: “Xxxxxxx brilliant!” and has vowed to find the time to get properly qualified, so that he can take the opportunity to go diving as he travels around the world. Back home, Tony has several horses and is fond of leading his family on ‘cavalry charges’ across the fields, but he also enjoys swimming and running and admits that he ‘can’t sit still’, even on holiday.  Tony, whose father-in-law in an ex-major, is an avid and passionate supporter of the British military and has entertained troops in England, Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, and prior to his visit here, in Kuwait, a trip which worried his Mum as she wasn’t told where he was going. Presuming it to be Afghanistan, she was soon on the ‘phone to Tony’s wife saying: “I know something’s wrong. I know he’s gone somewhere dodgy”. One of the perks of travelling with the military is of course, that the band are ‘very well looked after’ and they get the chance to do ‘unusual’ things. One thing Tony has not yet experienced is a Parachute jump, and he quite likes the idea of free-fall. He would also like to fly in a Tornado jet, but has been told that due to the length of his legs, he’s likely to lose his kneecaps if he needed to eject. (The least of his troubles, we think!). Having studied Russian History, he would also like to visit Russia as well as India and China, although he admits his wife is not quite so keen!Before leaving, Tony and the crew wished all members of the armed forces serving in Cyprus: “a safe and pleasant tour”.