We shared a doctor in Harley Street, and it turned out Axl Rose

"We shared a doctor in Harley Street, and it turned out Axl Rose was a huge fan of mine, which was cool because I’m a bit of a rocker - I should have worn spandex and grown my hair long but instead I joined a pop band." These words, spoken by Tony Hadley, reflect a humorous and insightful reflection on the paths that life takes, often shaped by the choices we make and the opportunities we embrace. Hadley’s statement captures the tension between the two worlds of rock and pop, and his own identity as someone who could have been part of the rock scene but instead found his place in the more mainstream pop culture. What this quote speaks to is the way in which identity is shaped not just by our talents and passions, but by the environments we are in, the people we meet, and the choices we make along the way.

In the ancient world, the idea of identity and choice was central to many philosophical debates. Socrates, for instance, believed that the key to living a virtuous and fulfilling life was understanding one's true nature and living in harmony with it. He argued that the unexamined life—the life led without introspection or understanding of one's place in the world—was a life not worth living. Hadley’s reflection on his own career could be seen as an exploration of choice and identity: he acknowledges the tension between being a rocker—which would have suited his passion for music—and the path he ultimately chose in joining a pop band. In this sense, his life mirrors Socrates' notion that our choices define us, and understanding those choices is key to finding purpose.

The tension between rock and pop has often been portrayed as a conflict of values. Axl Rose, the lead singer of Guns N' Roses, embodies the rocker ethos: rebellious, untamed, and fiercely individualistic. Hadley, on the other hand, embraced a more commercialized, but still impactful, form of music in Spandau Ballet, where melody and mainstream success were the guiding forces. But Hadley’s humility and self-awareness in recognizing that he could have chosen a different path speaks to an important lesson about authenticity. It is not about fitting into a certain mold—whether as a rocker or a pop star—but about finding one’s own voice and pursuing it with passion and dedication, regardless of external labels or expectations.

The story of David Bowie offers a profound parallel to Hadley’s reflection. Bowie, who could have easily been pigeonholed into a specific genre, instead became a shape-shifting figure in music, moving effortlessly between rock, pop, and avant-garde styles. Bowie’s refusal to conform to one style of music or identity made him a global icon. Like Hadley, Bowie understood that authenticity did not lie in adhering to one genre, but in constantly evolving and embracing what felt true to him. In Bowie’s case, he created his own unique space, where he could express his art without being confined to one identity. Hadley’s recognition of his rocker roots, while simultaneously finding his place in pop, is a reflection of this willingness to explore and expand his musical and personal identity.

The core lesson in Hadley’s quote is the power of choice and embracing one’s true self within the context of the opportunities available. Hadley could have chosen to stay in the rock scene, but instead, he embraced the path that led him to pop, and in doing so, he found success and fulfillment. This speaks to a central theme in ancient wisdom—the importance of self-awareness and self-determination. In both philosophy and life, we are constantly faced with choices, and it is through those choices that we carve out our identity. Hadley’s reflection is not just about music, but about the deeper idea that our path is shaped by the choices we make and the courage we have to pursue the direction that feels most authentic to us.

In practical terms, Hadley’s story teaches us that it is not enough to simply follow the path we think we “should” be on, or to limit ourselves to what is expected. Instead, we should be brave in pursuing what excites us and what feels right for us, even if it means stepping out of the norm. Just as Hadley embraced his rocker roots while being part of a pop band, we must be open to the fact that our true calling may be a mix of many influences, many paths, and many possibilities. The key is self-awareness—the ability to understand where our passions lie and to take ownership of our decisions, no matter where they lead.

Finally, let us remember that we, too, have the power to create our own identity and legacy. Hadley’s humility in recognizing his rocker roots, even as he found success in pop, is a lesson for all of us: authenticity is not about being fixed in one role or style, but about embracing our true passions and expressing them in whatever form feels most genuine to us. Like Hadley and David Bowie, we must strive to be true to ourselves, not bound by the labels that others place upon us, but free to explore the possibilities that life presents. In doing so, we find not only success, but personal fulfillment and the courage to define our own paths.