Forty years ago this month Spandau Ballet signed their first recording contract on bassist Martin Kemps 18th birthday. As soon as they had finished, they headed straight to Jam Studios in Finsbury Park to cut their debut single To Cut A Long Story Short, which was released forty years ago tomorrow.

Within a month the single had been released and two weeks later the band were on Top Of The Pops. The song is now acknowledged as the very first New Romantic single, a sound and movement that changed the world.

27th November sees a reissue of the 12 single in its original die cut sleeve on 180g vinyl featuring the ground breaking extended and dub mixes of the track by the visionary producer Richard James Burgess, the practice of which was unheard of at the time. The impact of the 12 was felt on the dance floors of the world, the track was an instant club hit ushering in a new sound for a new decade.

The two track digital single is out now featuring To Cut A Long Story (Version) which has not been available since the release of the 12 single forty years ago.

The band defined the 80s in the way that The Who defined the 60s, Bowie defined the 70s and Oasis defined the 90s. To Cut A Long Story Short is taken from 40 Years The Greatest Hits celebrates both the bands musical and cultural impact.

Release date:27th November,2020