Spandau Ballet Gig

Published: 2010-01-01

Images

Map

HMS Belfast in June 2009

(cc) Attribution 2.0 Generic, David Jones, flickr.com/people/davidcjones/

HMS Belfast, as seen from Tower Bridge. April 2006

(cc) Attribution-Noncommercial 2.0 Generic, Geoff Burns, flickr.com/people/geoff_b/

HMS Belfast in July 2008

(cc) Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic, flickr.com/people/nexim/

Spandau Ballet - HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast is an unfashionable tourist attraction; a grey and austere presence stuck between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. However, on July 26 1980 it found itself at the forefront of the new romantic scene when it hosted a gig by Spandau Ballet.

The crew were expecting a party of students and a five-piece supper band; what they got was the debauched and flamboyant cream of London’s party set. ‘Philip Salon [notorious transvestite club promoter] turned up in a wedding dress covered in lightbulbs and saying, "Where can I plug myself in?" ’ recalled Gary Kemp in 2003. Perhaps it was a result of the ‘free buffet’ advertised on the poster, but the gig was a success. Just three months later the band were signed to Chrysalis and on ‘Top Of The Pops’ performing their debut single, ‘To Cut A Long Story Short’.