| Amazon Interview 2 |
| Part Two |
| Amazon.co.uk: The court case brought last year by the other members of Spandau against your brother Gary obviously caused a lot of pain. Did it put the lid on any idea of a reunion? Kemp: Absolutely, yes. I would go so far as to say that if it wasn't for that, we most probably would have got back and played a couple of shows by now. There's no way that I think that would ever happen now, which is a great shame. But I've moved on in my life, and I'm a big believer in going forwards. It would frighten me terribly to go back. My worst nightmare now involves being back in the band, and feeling like I'd failed. Amazon.co.uk: You obviously have a very close relationship with Gary. However, Spandau Ballet was his band, in a way, and although you did The Krays together, he was still your older brother. Another running joke in your book is how you are always mistaken for him. How important has EastEnders been for you in terms of breaking free and becoming Martin Kemp, rather than Martin, brother of Gary? Kemp: Massively. I'm enjoying myself more now because of that independence. I had a wonderful time working with Gary, but The Krays was the first time we ever had an equal standing. It was from then that I started to enjoy myself so much as an actor. Not just breaking away from Gary, but breaking away from having to share success or failure with four other guys. Even if I fail now, at least it's my failure, and that's why I could never go backwards. Amazon.co.uk: I'm interested in notions of reality. You describe the unreality of walking on the set at Albert Square for the first time, and the experience of visiting Ronnie Kray in Broadmoor after doing Saturday Superstore, only to see the Yorkshire Ripper sitting at a nearby table. You even appeared in the comic Roy of the Rovers! How hard is it to remain Martin Kemp, and not Reggie Kray or Steve Owen? Kemp: I find I can keep separate from the jobs pretty well. I think I went through a stage in the late 80s when I lost myself, but definitely now, not at all. My feet are completely on the ground. I've been through too much, too many experiences, to get carried away with the idea of fame. Fame isn't something that I even think about anymore. It's something that I do for a job. The poster-look is just a job. Since I was 17 it's always been going that way, and it's definitely at its height now. I think it's very hard for a young kid to come out of drama school straight into that kind of fame, like some of the kids that go straight into EastEnders. It must be very hard for them to cope with. Amazon.co.uk: In his attempts to liven up The Vic, has Dan Sullivan ever resorted to putting Spandau Ballet on the jukebox? Kemp: (Laughs) I've asked him to, but he won't. Amazon.co.uk: Perhaps Peggy would like it too much. Kemp: She'd be out the front dancing … Amazon.co.uk: The transformation from the tartan suits and billowing blousons of Spandau Ballet to being voted the Most Stylish Man on Television is a massive one. Looking back on your career so far, would you have done anything differently? Any outfits you wouldn't have worn? Kemp: No, I really wouldn't. Looking back, some of the things they were wearing in the 60s were ridiculous, but in context they were right. All the way through the Spandau Ballet years, whatever we wore, I was proud of. It meant something at the time. There was no reason why I should laugh at it. Amazon.co.uk: Even those little thongs in the "Paint Me Down" video? Kemp: (Laughs) God knows what was happening there. We really lost it there. Amazon.co.uk: Or at least lost your wardrobe. Raising our sights a little, I know you've written film scripts. Will Martin Kemp, pop star, film actor, television heart-throb, become Martin Kemp, literary luvvie, straight out of Bloomsbury? Kemp: (Laughs) No! But I love writing. Writing film scripts is something that I think all actors should try. It gives you an invaluable insight, and gets the frustrated director out of your head. You can direct films for free by getting on your word-processor. I wanted to direct, but I couldn't find the outlet, so I wrote my own scripts. Writing is a wonderful artistic outlet. Amazon.co.uk: And what dreams do you still hold? Kemp: The one ambition I have at the moment is to find another movie for me and Gary to do. Not following on from The Krays, but something different. We made a great job of The Krays together, but we've both gone our separate ways, and we've now found our own feet individually, so I'd love us to come back together and spend six weeks or so making a movie. |