Wikipedia

ABC (band)

Not to be confused withAnother Bad Creation.

ABCis an Englishpopband that originated inSheffieldin 1980, evolving from the earlier ensembleVice Versa.The band's classic formation featuredMartin Fryas the lead vocalist,Mark Whiteon guitar and keyboards,Stephen Singletonplaying the saxophone, and David Palmer behind the drums.[5]

ABC
ABC performing in 2023
Background information
OriginSheffield,England
Genres
Years active
  • 1980–present
Labels
MembersMartin Fry
Past members
Websiteabcmartinfry.com

ABC achieved ten UK and five UStop 40hit singles between 1981 and 1990, and their 1982 debut studio album,The Lexicon of Love,was a UK number one. Their early-1980s success in the US saw them associated with theSecond British Invasion.[6][7]ABC continue to tour and released a ninth studio album,The Lexicon of Love II,in 2016.

History

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Formation

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ABC has its roots inVice Versa,a Sheffield band formed in 1977 by synthesizer playersStephen SingletonandMark White.Their debut gig was as the support toWireat the Outlook club in Sheffield.[8]They founded their own label, Neutron Records, releasing theEPMusic 4.Martin Fry,who wrote the fanzineModern Drugs,interviewed Vice Versa and shortly afterwards they asked him to join as synthesizer player.[9]Fry accepted and by late 1980 the band had evolved into ABC, with Fry becoming lead singer.[9][10][11][12]The band's last day as Vice Versa was at the Futurama 2 Festival inLeedsin September 1980; from then on it performed as ABC, with Singleton playing saxophone and White on guitar and keyboards.[5]In the new year, Singleton and White were joined by Mark Lickley on bass and David Robinson on drums.[13]

The Lexicon of Love,Beauty Stab&How to Be a Zillionaire:1981–1985

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The band's first single, "Tears Are Not Enough",made the UK top 20 in 1981.[5]Soon afterwards, Robinson left the band and was replaced by David Palmer; Lickley departed shortly thereafter and was not replaced.[12]In 1982, the band released their debut studio albumThe Lexicon of Love,which reached number one on theUK Albums Chart.[12]Produced byTrevor Horn,it often featured in UK critics' lists of favourite albums: it ranked 42nd inThe Observer Music Monthly's "Top 100 British Albums" (June 2004) and 40th inQmagazine's "100 Greatest British Albums" (June 2000). The band had three top 10 hits during 1982: the singles "Poison Arrow","The Look of Love"(both of which were recorded whilst Mark Lickley was still a member of the band), and"All of My Heart".[5]Severalhigh-conceptmusic videos were made, including the long-form spy pastiche "Mantrap" byJulien Temple.[5]

Following the culmination of theLexicon of Lovetour, Palmer joined theYellow Magic Orchestrafor a series of tour dates; shortly thereafter Fry, White and Singleton decided to reconvene in order to commence work on their next album, leading Palmer to depart ABC in order to honour his commitments to Yellow Magic Orchestra's tour. The remaining members found it difficult to follow up on the success of their debut. Their second album,Beauty Stab,was released in November 1983, produced byGary Langanwho was theengineeronThe Lexicon of Love.[12]It performed poorly in comparison to its predecessor, peaking at No. 12. The first single from the album, "That Was Then but This Is Now",briefly appeared in the UK top 20, followed by a top 40 showing for"SOS".[5]The band eschewedremixesfor the project and so the 12 "single for" That Was Then but This Is Now "featured the disclaimer" This record is exactly the same as the 7 "version. The choice is yours."

Singleton left the band shortly after the release ofBeauty Stabas a result of Fry and White's reluctance to spend much time touring the band's material. Fry and White then enlisted the services ofFiona Russell Powell(under the name "Eden" ) andDavid Yarrituin the band's new line-up. Russell Powell had been a member of the original line-up of the pre-ABC band, Vice Versa. According to an article published on 7 March 1997,[14]she 'chickened out' of Vice Versa's first live gig, and the job as frontman went to Fry. The Fry-White-Russell Powell-Yarritu line-up recorded the albumHow to Be a... Zillionaire!,released in 1985. The band's chart success dwindled further in the UK with this album, but they did score their first US top 10 hit with "Be Near Me",which also made the UK top 30. The album also featured the singles"(How to Be a) Millionaire","Vanity Kills"and"Ocean Blue".Inspiration for the album's cartoons of the band members was taken from a photo shoot byDavid Levinewhose work featured on many of the sleeves for singles released from this album.[12]Keith LeBlancfromTackheadprogrammed much of the beatbox work for the album.

Chart success continues withAlphabet City:1986–1988

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After a hiatus, during which Fry was being treated forHodgkin's lymphoma,he and White reconvened ABC as a duo, releasing the albumAlphabet Cityin 1987.[5]The album returned them to the UK Top 10 for the first time in five years, peaking at No. 7. It featured "When Smokey Sings",a tribute toSmokey Robinson,which narrowly missed the UK Top 10.[5]The song did give the group their biggest hit in the US, where it peaked at number 5 in September.[15]The album also spawned "The Night You Murdered Love"(UK No. 31) and"King Without a Crown"(UK No. 44) as singles.[12]

Up,greatest hits albumAbsolutely&Abracadabra:1989–1992

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In 1989, the duo issuedUp,their fifth and finalPolyGramstudio album. This time experimenting withhouse music,ABC scored a minor UK hit with the single "One Better World".A second single,"The Real Thing",and the album itself were less successful.[5]During this period, the duo worked on a couple of outside productions aimed at the house music scene. One wasPaul Rutherford's (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) solo album and first single release; the other was for Lizzie Tear on the duo's own Neutron label.

In 1990, the band released agreatest hitscompilation album,Absolutely.This covered all of ABC's albums up until 1990 and featured most of their singles. The compilation made the UK Top 10. A video package featuringpromoswas also released. One new song, "The Look of Love '90", was released to promote the package.[5]

The duo moved to theEMIlabel (andMCAin North America), where they recorded the 1991 albumAbracadabra.Two singles, "Love Conquers All"and"Say It",narrowly missed the UK Top 40, though a remix of the latter by the Italian production teamBlack Boxappeared on the US dance chart.

Martin Fry also collaborated withM Peoplein 1991 on their first album,Northern Soul,recording vocals for the song "Life". However, when the album was re-released in 1992, and again in 1995, this track was omitted.

Skyscrapingand comeback: 1997–2007

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After a six-year hiatus, ABC released the albumSkyscraping,an homage to several of his musical heroes, includingDavid Bowie,Roxy Musicand theSex Pistols.WithGlenn GregoryofHeaven 17and Keith Lowndes contributing to the sessions and songwriting, the album was commercially unsuccessful though a single, "Stranger Things",reached No. 57 in the UK. Two other singles,"Rolling Sevens"and"Skyscraping",did not chart.

In 1999, ABC released their first live album,The Lexicon of Live.The album covered most of their major hits. Although Fry was the only member left, he had a backing band and adorned the album cover in his famed gold lamé suit.

Look of Love – The Very Best of ABCwas released in 2001. Although essentially a reissue of the 1990 greatest hits compilationAbsolutely,the album featured two new songs by Fry, "Peace and Tranquility" and "Blame". A companion DVD, along with a bonus disc of remixes, was also released.

In 2004, theVH1showBands Reunitedattempted to get the band's classic line-up of Fry, White, Singleton and Palmer together for a reunion concert. Fry and Palmer appeared and played together (with help fromNick BeggsofKajagoogoo) for the first time in over twenty years. Singleton and White opted not to participate.

Traffic:2007–2015

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Following a tour of the United States in May and June 2006, Fry and Palmer, together with session keyboardist Chuck Kentis, put together a new ABC album,Traffic.It was released on 28 April 2008.Gary Langan,who worked onThe Lexicon of LoveandBeauty Stab,mixed and produced the album. The first single, "The Very First Time", debuted onBBC Radio 2in January, was added to the station's "A" playlist for the week beginning 29 March and was released as amusic downloadtrack on 1 April.

On 1 September 2007, ABC performed a set with other 1980s acts at Retrofest atCulzean CastleinAyrshire,Scotland. This appearance included a rendition of "Addicted to Love",withTony HadleyofSpandau BalletandPeter CoxofGo West.

In the summer of 2008, ABC toured the US as part of the 2008 Regeneration Tour, which also featuredthe Human League,Belinda Carlisle,A Flock of SeagullsandNaked Eyes.

In April 2009, ABC performedThe Lexicon of Lovealbum live at theRoyal Albert Hall,accompanied by theBBC Concert Orchestra.Anne DudleyofArt of Noise,who arranged and played keyboards on the original record, conducted the performance. A music review in the 13 April 2009 edition ofThe Independentnewspaper, described the performance as a "glorious night that has placed one of the Eighties' most perfectly constructed albums back near the top of the pop pantheon".

In 2009 ABC toured the US as the headliner of the 2009 Regeneration Tour,[16]which also featuredTerri NunnofBerlin,Wang ChungandCutting Crew.

In June, July and August 2011, ABC performed at a few locations around the UK as well asLas Vegas,Nevada.In October 2011, ABC performing dates inMelbourne,Australia.

On 19 July 2012, Fry was made an honoraryDoctor of Musicat theUniversity of Sheffieldfor his contribution to music over more than thirty years. The following day his daughter Nancy received her degree from the Department of Sociological Studies from the same university.[17]

On 1 March 2013, ABC appeared inDubai,UAE, in the '80s Rewind' concert withRick Astley,Heaven 17,Howard JonesandT'Pau.

In June 2014, it was revealed that a dozen early tapes had been discovered of rare remixes and unheard songs from ABC's first three albums. These were returned to Martin Fry who was delighted, but unsure as to what he would do with them. According toClassic Pop,the rediscovered songs include "a 'That's It Folks!' mix of 'So Hip It Hurts' fromZillionaire.FromBeauty Stab,reams of early studio takes have come to light including one song, 'You and Me', that never made the final album. FromThe Lexicon of Loveera, the band's own, pre-Trevor Horndemos of 'All of My Heart' have come to light, along with a reel entitled '4 Ever 2 Gether – The Outtake, Starring Martin Fry as Ken Dodd' ".[18]

The Lexicon of Love II:2016 - 2021

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ABC performing live

In October 2015, Fry announced that he was working on a new ABC album. "It's going to be a take onThe Lexicon of Love,but all these years on. I'm a man in my fifties now with a wealth of experience. It's about how you grow older but you make the same mistakes over and over and over again. "[19]

In November 2015, a compilation album entitled80s Recoveredwas released, featuring many artists from the 1980s. ABC contributed a cover ofRadiohead's "High and Dry",with a regular version and a remix.[20]

In January 2016, Fry said the new ABC album would be entitledThe Lexicon of a Lost Idealand released in the UK in May 2016. Featuring tracks penned by Fry, with contributions byRob Fusari,Marcus Vere,Matt Rowe andAnne Dudley,the album features orchestration arranged by Anne Dudley, who worked in a similar capacity onThe Lexicon of Love.[21]In April 2016, the release of the new album, now entitledThe Lexicon of Love II,was announced with lead single "Viva Love" made available via digital platforms. It was A playlisted by BBC Radio 2.[22]The release of "Viva Love" was accompanied by a video directed byJulien Temple,who also worked with the band on the Mantrap and Poison Arrow videos, which the new video references.

The album was released in the UK and the US on 27 May 2016 and entered theUK Albums Chartat No. 5, the first time ABC had reached the Top 5 since the originalLexicon of Lovealbum in 1982.[23]"The Flames Of Desire" and "Ten Below Zero" were released as follow-up singles. Both were added to the BBC Radio 2 playlist.

ABC also contributed a new song called "Living Inside My Heart" toFly: Songs Inspired by the Film Eddie the Eagle,the soundtrack of which was released on 18 March 2016 on CD and digitally.[24]

ABC released their firstChristmassong, entitled "A Christmas We Deserve", on 2 December 2016 as part of a four-track EP. The other three songs are acoustic versions of "The Love Inside the Love," Viva Love "and" The Look of Love ".

In March 2017, just before the band'sRoyal Albert Hallorchestra show on April 6 (featuring songs fromThe Lexicon of Love II,greatest hits and the completeLexicon of Lovealbum) the band announced the November 2017 XYZ tour. During the tour two new songs were performed: "Look Good Tonite" and "The Life And Times Of A Troubadour".

On 22 October 2020, the compilation albumThe Essential ABC- featuring songs and remixes from the first five albums - entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 62.[25]

The Lexicon of Love 40th Anniversary:2022 and beyond

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On 9 June 2022 ABC released the vinyl-only single "Look Good Tonite" / "Sixty Seconds Later" in the UK.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release ofThe Lexicon of Love,the band performed at Sheffield City Hall on 21 June 2022. The show was recorded for future release on CD and DVD.

Martin Fry performing in 2023

In January 2023, a US show was announced: the band played at theCruel World FestivalinPasadena,Californiaon May 20, 2023.[26]

In March 2023, ABC announced the May 19 release of the live double CDThe Lexicon of Love 40th Anniversary Live At Sheffield City Hall.It was released digitally and as a limited edition live album on 19 May 2023.[27]

The album was recorded in 2022 at a show in ABC’s hometown of Sheffield, to mark the 40th anniversary of the seminal album,The Lexicon Of Love.ABC were joined by the original orchestral team of Southbank Sinfonia and longtime collaborator and arrangerAnne Dudleywho conducted on the evening of the recording. The album features the whole of the original Lexicon Of Love album, plus hits like "When Smokey Sings", "Be Near Me", "Viva Love", "(How To Be A) Millionaire" and "The Flames Of Desire".

On 4 August,The Lexicon of Lovewas reissued (belatedly) for its 40th anniversary with special vinyl editions and an SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio, No. 12 in the ongoing SDE Surround Series. Renowned musician, songwriter and producerSteven Wilsonremixed the classic album in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and stereo for this special reissue, which was also made available on streaming platforms.[28]The album (re)entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 48.

Band members

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Line-ups

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1980–1981 1981 1981–1982 1982–1983
(Classic Lineup)
  • Martin Fry– vocals
  • Stephen Singleton– alto and tenor saxophones
  • Mark White– guitars, keyboards, programming
  • Mark Lickley– bass guitar
  • David Robinson– drums, percussion
  • Martin Fry– vocals
  • Stephen Singleton– alto and tenor saxophones
  • Mark White– guitars, keyboards, programming
  • Mark Lickley– bass guitar
  • David Palmer– drums, percussion
  • Martin Fry– vocals
  • Stephen Singleton– alto and tenor saxophones
  • Mark White– guitars, keyboards, programming
  • David Palmer– drums, percussion
1983–1984 1984–1985 1985–1991 1991–1997
  • Martin Fry– vocals
  • Stephen Singleton– alto and tenor saxophones
  • Mark White– guitars, keyboards, programming
  • Martin Fry– vocals
  • Mark White– guitars, keyboards, programming
  • Martin Fry– vocals
1997–2004 2004–2009 2009–2016 2016–present
  • Martin Fry– vocals
  • Martin Fry– vocals
  • David Palmer– drums, percussion
  • Martin Fry– vocals
  • Martin Fry– various instrumentation

Timeline

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Discography

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Main article:ABC discography

[29]

Dance chart success

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ABC had three number-one hits on the USDance Club Songs:

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcErlewine, Stephen Thomas."ABC – Artist Biography".AllMusic.Retrieved2 August2016.
  2. ^"Still a Spectacle, Fun-Loving ABC Holds Up Well".Hartford Courant.20 June 2006.Retrieved22 March2023.
  3. ^Reynolds, Simon(2006). "New Pop and its Aftermath".On Record: Rock, Pop and the Written Word.Routledge.ISBN978-1-134-93951-0.
  4. ^Harvel, Jess."Now That's What I Call New Pop!".Pitchfork Media.12 September 2005.
  5. ^abcdefghijDafydd Rees; Luke Crampton (1991).The Guinness Book of Rock Stars: An A to Z of the People Who Made Rock Happen(2nd ed.). Enfield: Guinness World Records. pp.2–3.ISBN0-85112-971-4.OCLC24712919.
  6. ^Reynolds, Simon(2005).Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978–1984.Faber and Faber.pp.340,342–3.ISBN0-571-21570-X.
  7. ^Fletcher, Tony(2013).Perfect Circle: The Story of REM.Omnibus Press.ISBN978-0-8571-2853-9.By the timeMurmurwas released, the American chart was aflow with the likes of Soft Cell, Duran Duran, Culture Club, Haircut 100 and ABC: the fabled Second British Invasion.
  8. ^Frame, Pete. (1999) Pete Frame's Rockin' Around Britain: Rock'n'roll Landmarks of the UK and Ireland, Omnibus PressISBN978-0711969735
  9. ^ab"made in sheffield - vice versa".Sheffieldvision.com.Retrieved25 June2016.
  10. ^Reynolds, Simon (2005)Rip it up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978–1984,Faber & Faber,ISBN0-571-21570-X
  11. ^George-Warren, Holly and Patricia Romanowski, ed. (2005). "ABC".The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll.New York City: Fireside. p. 2.ISBN978-0-7432-9201-6.
  12. ^abcdefStrong, Martin C. (2000).The Great Rock Discography(5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp.2–3.ISBN1-84195-017-3.
  13. ^"Futurama 1980".Songkick.com.Retrieved25 June2016.
  14. ^"Pop groups should not make comebacks, says Fiona Russell Powell"Archived19 February 2009 at theWayback Machine,The Times,7 March 1997
  15. ^"Music: Top 100 Songs - Billboard Hot 100 Chart".Billboard.com.Retrieved8 July2018.
  16. ^"Regeneration Tour 2009".Regenerationtour.com.Archived fromthe originalon 7 October 2011.Retrieved23 October2011.
  17. ^"ABC singer takes centre stage in honorary degree ceremonies".Shef.ac.uk.6 July 2012.Retrieved25 June2016.
  18. ^"Exclusive! Lost ABC Master Tapes Found - Classic Pop Magazine".Classicpopmag.com.10 June 2014.Retrieved25 June2016.
  19. ^""People loved that record. They still do." Martin Fry on The Lexicon of Love ".Heraldscotland.com.31 October 2015.Retrieved25 June2016.
  20. ^"80s Recovered".80srecovered.com.Archived fromthe originalon 8 December 2015.Retrieved25 June2016.
  21. ^"ABC At Manchester235 casino - Manchester Confidential".Manchesterconfidential.co.uk.Retrieved25 June2016.
  22. ^"ABC to release The Lexicon of Love II".Superdeluxeedition.com.13 April 2016.Retrieved28 April2016.
  23. ^"ABC".Official Charts.31 October 1981.Retrieved1 April2024.
  24. ^Enterprises, Universal Music."'FLY' Songs Inspired By The Film EDDIE THE EAGLE Released March 18, 2016 ".Prnewswire.com(Press release).Retrieved25 June2016.
  25. ^"ABC".Official Charts Company.Retrieved12 February2024.
  26. ^Jones, Damien (23 January 2023)."Siouxsie Sioux and Iggy Pop lead Cruel World Festival 2023 line-up with other acts including the Human League".Nme.com.Retrieved26 January2023.
  27. ^"ABC Announce New Live Album, 'The Lexicon Of Love Live' – Set For Release 19 May".Essentiallypop.com.9 March 2023.
  28. ^"ABC's the Lexicon of Love on SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio".Superdeluxeedition.com.28 June 2023.
  29. ^"ABC Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More".AllMusic.Retrieved1 April2024.
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