Who is John Keeble

John Keeble began playing with a toy drum that his parents gave him before he was even 7. His first band, however was called The Makers. He formed this band with school friends Gary Kemp, Steve Norman, Tony Hadley and Richard Miller in 1977.

In 1978 The Makers lost their bass player Richard Miller and Gary's younger brother Martin stepped in to fill the void. The name was changed to Gentry and they started playing in small pubs and clubs around Islington.

At this time John (who did well in school) was working at Barclays Bank. In 1979 changes were about to happen which would allow John Keeble to resign from the job he detested and play drums for a living.

1979 saw a name change to Spandau Ballet and they signed a record deal with Chrysalis in 1980.

Spandau Ballet became one of the pin-up bands of the New Romantic movement. Although Steve Norman and Martin Kemp were the "pretty boys" of the group, John also had his fans.

As the drummer John was hidden away during the performances, although he was on all of the posters. It gave his public the illusion that he was the "quiet one" of the group which gave him his own following.

Spandau Ballet released their last album together in 1989 and although they didn't officially break up the boys pursued different things - both Kemps returned to acting, Tony Hadley wanted to go solo and Steve Norman needed some time out in Ibiza.

In 1990 John Keeble and his wife Leaflyn (affectionally known as Flea) had a daughter - Jaime Rae Keeble. Jaime became the apple of her father's eye as all little girls tend to. John Keeble also performed on his friend Fish's (formally a vocalist with Marillion) first solo album. His next 'job' was to fly to LA to join Tony Hadley on his first solo recording.

In 1993 John Keeble went to John Gruff's birthday party. John had been one of the engineers from the Spandau days. He wanted some music so Neal X (former Sigue Sigue Sputnik) played guitar and John Keeble jumped on the drums and they jammed together. A few weeks later Neal rang John up and told him that he knew a couple of guys who needed a good drummer.

John Keeble, Steve Smile & Chris Dollimore met up for a few drinks and 69 days later they, and Jim Riley, formed 69 Daze. The name came about because they had known each other for exactly 69 days!

69 Daze performed their first concert at the Splash Club, London during August 1993, former band mate Martin Kemp came along to lend his support and both Tony Hadley and Gary Kemp phoned beforehand to wish them all luck. In October the band played at the Marquee club, London at their biggest performance which Tony Hadley was able to witness. Tony enjoyed listening to them and said "A good band, but not the sort of music you would play at a dinner party."

69 Daze was certainly a change from Spandau Ballet and a chance for John Keeble to explore his harder 'rock' side. Unfortunately the band were already having problems before their next, and final gig, at the Splash Club in November. They had already had a change of line up and this was to be their last performance, luckily Gary Kemp managed to make this one.

When Dean Howard was talking to Jim Riley about starting up a band Jim recommended John Keeble as a drummer and after a meeting in March 1994 the band line up was Jim Riley (lead vocals, harmonica, guitar), Dean Howard (lead guitar), John Keeble (drums) & Russel Kennedy (bass, didgeridoo, Chapman stick).

Flea had given John the name of The Herbs for a band and at the meeting he threw the name into the hat. Then it was off to tour with old mate Tony Hadley for three weeks. When John came back the group were all set and the name was agreed on.

The Herbs played their first performance at the Old Ashtree, Kent on July 22nd 1994. There just so happened to be a huge Spandau Ballet convention happening in London at that time which meant John's fanclub showed up along with friends and family to lend their support.

In August 1994 the band did there first overseas tour and even managed to get onto German tv. When they returned back home they managed to get a gig at London's Borderline on October 17th 1994, unfortunately it wasn't to be their big break. Once again ex-bandmates Martin Kemp and Tony Hadley came along to show their support for John Keeble.

January 1995 saw The Herbs do another tour of Germany before playing at an open air concert in May where they played support, in Northampton, to the UK rockers Status Quo. The Herbs then toured around the pub circuit in the UK before John Keeble left, the band then dissolved in the autumn months of 1995.

After The Herbs dissolved John Keeble and John McGeoch (former guitarist with Sousxie & the Banshees, Visage among others) decided to start a band which they called Pacific, unfortunately John McGeoch died in his sleep before this could get off the ground.

Very few people have heard the music they made, but John apparently still has the recordings so maybe one day..........

During the Spandau Ballet days Gary Kemp wrote all of the band's songs (except for Motivator on their final album). Whilst the band was together they all got a share of the royalties, which apparently often happens. As Spandau Ballet were for all intents and purposes dissolved Gary had been keeping all of his royalties.

In 1998 John along with ex-band mates Tony Hadley and Steve Norman took Gary Kemp to court. They argued that there had been a gentleman's agreement between them that they would all share in the song royalties, Gary disputed this. The court found in Gary's favour and the former best friends fell out scuttling the hopes of many fans that they would reunite.

Another problem with the court case was that John, Tony and Steve lost money which resulted in them having to sell their shares in Spandau Ballets company to Gary Kemp. The Spandau Ballet company own the rights to the name Spandau Ballet which is why when the former bandmates toured together they had to use the name Hadley, Norman and Keeble, ex-Spandau Ballet.

With all of his commitments John has still found plenty of time for his old friend Tony Hadley. He has performed on Tony's studio recordings and is part of Tony Hadley's band when touring.

For a while Hadley, Norman & Keeble all toured together.

Tony and John are definately great mates. When working with Tony's band John Keeble met Ritchie B who he formed a new band with.

I Play Rock was born on 1st December 2004 with John Keeble, Ritchie B & Chris Paulo Dale. They released 'I Play Rock - the album' in September 2005. Their first London headline gig is at Camden Underworld in December 2004, but before that happens Tony Hadley's Fanclub get a nice surprise. I Play Rock played their first live warm up show at the Tony Hadley Fanclub Weekend at Minehead in October 2005. It was a very welcome surprise for the audience.

I Play Rock is still going, although the guys are still doing their own thing between recordings and band meetings. A new album was due to be released at the end of 2007, but that appears to have been stalled.

Despite the fact that John Keeble chose to play the drums he still follows his beloved Arsenal.

A true Gunner's fan he is like a bear with a sore head when they lose.

Just for John, you can check out all the latest soccer news at Arsenal's Home Site

John may not have ever played wicket for England, but he does still pull on the cricket whites. He plays for the celebrity team the Bunburys. The Bunburys are a celebrity cricket team which raises money for charity. John Keeble is one of their regular players and Johnny K as he's referred to in his player profile is a player who will never give up.

Not only does John enjoy playing cricket, but his daughter Jaime is often present to cheer her father on.

Full Name - John Leslie Keeble

Eyes - brown
Hair - brown, although he has dyed it blond at times
Height - 5ft 8"

Dad - Stan
Mum - Doris
Sister - Jackie
Wife - Leaflyn Suzanne Jones
Daughter - Jaime Rae Keeble (b. 30 Mar 1990)

Favourite drink - Jack Daniels

Favourite things - Arsenal, cars, cricket and surfing on the web

Writing - Rumours were flying that John Keeble had written a book about the Spandau Ballet days, he has said that he did start writing down things, but it wasn't the right time.

Favourite Spandau Song - Through the Barricades, followed by Chant No 1.

"30 years of looking at Tony Hadley's arse..."

...and that's in the words of the man himself, John Keeble.

This webpage was last updated by lou16 on 1st August 2011