ABC (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England |
| Founder | Martin Fry, Mark White, Stephen Singleton, David Palmer (classic lineup) |
| Headquarters | Sheffield , England |
Area served | United Kingdom, United States |
Key people | Martin Fry (lead vocalist and sole permanent member) |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
ABC is a British pop group that originated in Sheffield, South Yorkshire in 1980, emerging from the electronic ensemble Vice Versa. They are acknowledged as trailblazers of the new pop and sophisti-pop genres, merging elements of synth-pop with orchestral arrangements and jazz nuances. Their first album, The Lexicon of Love (1982), included popular tracks such as "Poison Arrow", "All of My Heart", and "The Look of Love", and achieved the number one spot on the UK Albums Chart.
Led by vocalist Martin Fry, who remains the band's sole permanent member, the classic formation featured Fry alongside Mark White handling guitar and keyboards, Stephen Singleton on saxophone, and David Palmer on drums. Between 1981 and 1990, ABC secured ten UK and five US top 40 singles. Their early 1980s success in the United States positioned them as part of the Second British Invasion phenomenon.
During the 1980s, ABC released significant albums including Beauty Stab (1983) and How to Be a ... Zillionaire! (1985), which yielded hits across both UK and US charts. Despite a decline in commercial popularity after that decade, ABC has continued to perform live, reissue material, and occasionally release new work. In 2016, Fry unveiled The Lexicon of Love II, a follow-up to their debut that garnered positive reviews from critics and fans alike.
Formation
ABC developed from Vice Versa, an electronic band formed in Sheffield in 1977 by synthesizer musicians Stephen Singleton and Mark White, with White providing lead vocals. Their initial performance was as support for post-punk group Wire at Doncaster's Outlook Club. They established their own label, Neutron Records, through which they released the EP Music 4. Martin Fry, creator of the fanzine Modern Drugs, conducted an interview with Vice Versa and soon became a synthesizer player in the band. By late 1980, the group had transformed into ABC with Fry taking on lead vocal duties. Vice Versa's final show took place at Leeds' Futurama 2 Festival in September 1980; subsequently, they performed under the name ABC featuring Singleton on saxophone and White on guitar and keyboards. Early in 1981, Mark Lickley joined as bassist and David Robinson as drummer.
The Lexicon of Love, Beauty Stab and How to Be a ... Zillionaire!: 1981–1985
ABC's debut single "Tears Are Not Enough" entered the UK top 20 in 1981. Shortly after its release, Robinson exited and was replaced by David Palmer; Lickley also left soon thereafter without a replacement. Their first album, The Lexicon of Love, produced by Trevor Horn and released in June 1982, reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and received widespread critical praise, often cited among top British albums. It spawned three UK top 10 singles: "Poison Arrow", "The Look of Love", and "All of My Heart". The band produced several elaborate music videos including Julien Temple’s spy-themed Mantrap.
Following a tour cycle, Palmer departed to join Yellow Magic Orchestra’s touring lineup; Fry, White, and Singleton proceeded to work on their sophomore album. Released in November 1983, Beauty Stab, produced by Gary Langan, peaked at number 12 but did not match the commercial impact of its predecessor. Singles "That Was Then but This Is Now" and "S.O.S." reached the UK top 20 and top 40 respectively. The band chose not to include remixes on this record.
After Beauty Stab, Singleton left due to Fry and White’s unwillingness to commit to extensive touring. The duo brought in Fiona Russell Powell ("Eden") and David Yarritu; Powell had previously been involved with Vice Versa but initially declined live performances. This revamped lineup recorded How to Be a ... Zillionaire! (1985), which saw reduced chart success in the UK but delivered ABC’s first US top 10 single with "Be Near Me". Additional singles from this album included "(How to Be A) Millionaire", "Vanity Kills", and "Ocean Blue". Much of the drum programming was handled by Keith LeBlanc.
Continued Chart Achievements with Alphabet City: 1986–1988
Following a break during Fry’s Hodgkin lymphoma treatment, Fry and White reunited as a duo to release the 1987 album Alphabet City. The album climbed to No. 7 on the UK charts and featured the US top 5 single "When Smokey Sings", a homage to soul legend Smokey Robinson. Additional singles from the album included "The Night You Murdered Love" (UK No. 31) and "King Without a Crown" (UK No. 44).
Exploring New Sounds with Up, Absolutely, and Abracadabra: 1989–1992
In 1989, ABC unveiled their fifth studio effort, Up, under PolyGram, venturing into house music influences. The track "One Better World" achieved moderate success in the UK, while other singles had limited impact. During this timeframe, Fry and White also produced work for Paul Rutherford and Lizzie Tear via their Neutron label.
The 1990 release of the greatest hits collection Absolutely, encompassing all studio albums and most singles to that point, secured a spot in the UK Top 10. It featured a new recording titled "The Look of Love '90". After signing with EMI (and MCA in North America), ABC issued their sixth studio album, Abracadabra (1991). Singles "Love Conquers All" and "Say It" narrowly missed entering the UK Top 40; however, a Black Box remix of "Say It" reached No. 3 on the US Dance Club chart. This album marked Mark White’s final contribution before his departure in 1992.
Additionally, Fry lent his vocals to M People’s debut album Northern Soul (1991) on the track "Life", though it was excluded from subsequent re-releases.
Revival with Skyscraping and Later Projects: 1997–2007
After a six-year pause, Fry revived ABC as a solo project, releasing Skyscraping in 1997—a tribute to key musical inspirations such as David Bowie and Roxy Music. Despite guest appearances from Glenn Gregory and Keith Lowndes, commercial success was limited; lead single "Stranger Things" peaked at No. 57 in the UK.
ABC’s inaugural live album, The Lexicon of Live, arrived in 1999, showcasing classic hits performed by Fry alongside session musicians.
The 2001 compilation Look of Love: The Very Best of ABC reissued earlier greatest hits while introducing two fresh tracks penned by Fry: "Peace and Tranquility" and "Blame". This release was accompanied by a DVD and remix disc.
In 2004, VH1's Bands Reunited briefly brought together Fry and Palmer for a performance; however, Singleton and White opted out of participating.
The Era of Traffic: 2007–2015
Following a mid-2006 US tour, Fry and Palmer recorded Traffic, which was released in April 2008 with production by Gary Langan. The lead single "The Very First Time" received airplay on BBC Radio 2.
ABC appeared at Retrofest in Scotland in 2007 alongside other notable '80s artists including Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) and Peter Cox (Go West).
In mid-2008, ABC joined the Regeneration Tour across the United States with acts such as The Human League and Belinda Carlisle.
April 2009 saw ABC perform The Lexicon of Love live at the Royal Albert Hall accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra under Anne Dudley’s direction. This concert earned praise for breathing new life into one of the decade’s most iconic albums.
ABC headlined the Regeneration Tour again later that year throughout various US locations.
Between June and October 2011, ABC toured select venues across the UK as well as performing shows in Las Vegas and Melbourne.
In July 2012, Martin Fry was honored with an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the University of Sheffield in recognition of his enduring contributions spanning over thirty years.
ABC took part in Dubai’s '80s Rewind' concert event in March 2013 alongside Rick Astley and other artists.
In June 2014, a significant collection of rare master tapes—including remixes and unreleased material from ABC’s early works—was uncovered and returned to Fry.
The Lexicon of Love II: 2016–2021
In October 2015, Fry revealed plans for a new ABC album that would draw inspiration from their debut while showcasing his evolved artistic outlook.
In November 2015, ABC contributed a rendition of Radiohead’s "High and Dry" for the compilation 80s Recovered.
By January 2016, it was announced that the forthcoming album, initially named The Lexicon of a Lost Ideal and later confirmed as The Lexicon of Love II, was set for release in May 2016. The project featured collaborations with Rob Fusari, Marcus Vere (from Living in a Box), Matt Rowe, and original collaborator Anne Dudley who handled orchestral arrangements. The lead track "Viva Love" was supported by a Julien Temple-directed music video that paid homage to the band's earlier visuals and received BBC Radio 2 A-list rotation.
Upon release, the album entered the UK Albums Chart at No.5, marking their highest chart position since their debut. Subsequent singles included "The Flames Of Desire" and "Ten Below Zero".
Additionally, ABC provided the song "Living Inside My Heart" for the soundtrack of the 2016 film Eddie the Eagle.
December 2016 saw ABC’s inaugural Christmas offering: an EP featuring the original track “A Christmas We Deserve” alongside acoustic versions of some of their classic songs.
In March 2017, prior to an orchestral performance at Royal Albert Hall featuring selections from both Lexicon albums plus other hits, ABC announced a November tour under XYZ promoting new tracks “Look Good Tonite” and “The Life and Times of a Troubadour”.
October 2020 marked the release of the compilation The Essential ABC, which debuted at No.62 on the UK charts.
The Lexicon of Love 40th Anniversary: 2022–present
On June 9, 2022, ABC issued a vinyl-only single pairing "Look Good Tonite" with "Sixty Seconds Later".
To celebrate forty years since their iconic debut album ,The Lexicon of Love,, ABC performed at Sheffield City Hall on June 21; this concert was recorded for a forthcoming CD/DVD release.
In May 2023, ABC appeared at the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena alongside prominent artists such as Siouxsie Sioux and Iggy Pop.
Announcements in March 2023 detailed the release of a double live CD/DVD titled The Lexicon of Love 40th Anniversary Live at Sheffield City Hall, which includes the complete original album plus hits like “When Smokey Sings” and “Be Near Me”. The performance featured the Southbank Sinfonia orchestra conducted by Anne Dudley.
August 2023 brought special vinyl reissues of The Lexicon of Love, including a Dolby Atmos remix by Steven Wilson; this edition propelled the album back onto the UK charts at No.48.
ABC embarked on a North American tour during 2024–2025 co-headlining with Howard Jones, performing numerous hits primarily from their debut album along with fan favorites such as “That Was Then but This Is Now” and “Viva Love”.
Band members
Current member
- Martin Fry – lead vocals (1980–present)
Former members
- Stephen Singleton – alto and tenor saxophones (1980–1984)
- Mark White – keyboards and guitars (1980–1991)
- Mark Lickley – bass guitar (1981–1982)
- David Robinson – drums and percussion (1981)
- David Palmer – drums and percussion (1981–1983, 2004–2009)
- Fiona Russell Powell – vocals (1984–1985)
- David Yarritu – vocals (1984–1985)
Line-ups
| 1980–1981 | 1981 | 1981–1982 | 1982–1983 (Classic Lineup) |
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| 1983–1984 | 1984–1985 | 1985–1991 | 1991–1997 |
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| 1997–2004 | 2004–2009 | 2009–present | |
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Timeline
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Discography
Studio Albums
- The Lexicon of Love (1982)
- Beauty Stab (1983)
- How to Be a ... Zillionaire! (1985)
- Alphabet City (1987)
- Up (1989)
- Abracadabra (1991)
- Skyscraping (1997)
- Traffic (2008)
- The Lexicon of Love II (2016)
Dance Chart Achievements
ABC secured three number-one positions on the US Dance Club Songs chart:
- "The Look of Love" (18 December 1982)
- "Be Near Me" (28 September – 5 October 1984)
- "When Smokey Sings" / "Chicago" (29 August – 5 September 1987)