Martin Fry | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Fry performing in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Martin David Fry (1958-03-09)9 March 1958 (age 67) Stretford,Lancashire, England |
| Origin | Bramhall,Stockport, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1980–present |
| Member of | ABC |
| Formerly of | Vice Versa |
| Website | abcmartinfry |
Martin David Fry (born 9 March 1958)[4] is an English singer. He came to prominence in the early 1980s as co-founder and lead vocalist of thepop bandABC, which released six singles that entered the top 20 charts in the United Kingdom during the 1980s, including "Tears Are Not Enough", "Poison Arrow", "The Look of Love", "All of My Heart", "That Was Then but This Is Now" and "When Smokey Sings". He is the only member who has been with ABC throughout its entire history and is currently its only official member.
Martin David Fry was born on 9 March 1958 inStretford,Lancashire (now part of theMetropolitan Borough of Trafford inGreater Manchester) and grew up in nearbyBramhall,Stockport, alongside his younger brother Jamie, who later went on to join theindie rock bandEarl Brutus.[5] Fry was editing a fanzine titledModern Drugs in 1978, and first met future ABC band membersMark White andStephen Singleton while interviewing them for an article in the fanzine. White and Singleton, then fronting anelectronic band calledVice Versa, invited Fry to join their band to play additional keyboards.[6]
With Fry in place as lead vocalist and lyricist, Vice Versa changed their name to ABC and changed their sound to a contemporary pop style that at that time led them to be categorised with bands likeDuran Duran,Spandau Ballet andthe Human League.[6] Between 1982 and 1991, ABC recorded six studioalbums (The Lexicon of Love,Beauty Stab,How to Be a ... Zillionaire!,Alphabet City,Up andAbracadabra) and released a greatest hits compilation album,Absolutely. During this time, the band went through numerous personnel changes, with Fry and Mark White being its only permanent members.
Following theZillionaire album, ABC temporarily fell from prominence while Fry was being treated forHodgkin lymphoma, an uncommoncancer.[7]
In 1991, Mark White decided to retire fromABC. His departure was facilitated by a financial agreement, allowing him to leave the music industry and pursue personal interests, notably inReiki therapy. This arrangement enabled ABC to continue its musical journey under the leadership of Martin Fry. ABC released their seventh studio albumSkyscraping, a homage to several of his musical heroes, includingDavid Bowie,Roxy Music and theSex Pistols.[8] The album was a collaboration withGlenn Gregory ofHeaven 17 andHoneyroot's Keith Lowndes.
The band has toured extensively and performed live at events such as the 2001Night of the Proms, where Fry was supported by a 72-piece orchestra and 50-piece choir.[9] In 2008, Fry released a new ABC studio album titledTraffic.
In April 2009, Fry and original drummer David Palmer performedThe Lexicon of Love album live at theRoyal Albert Hall inLondon. The band was accompanied by theBBC Concert Orchestra.Anne Dudley ofArt of Noise fame, who arranged and played keyboards on the original record, conducted theRoyal Albert Hall performance.[8]
Fry and Palmer (as ABC) toured the U.S. as part of the 2009 'Regeneration Tour',[10] which also featuredTerri Nunn ofBerlin,Wang Chung and theCutting Crew.
In April 2016, a single with a music video, "Viva Love" was released as a teaser forThe Lexicon of Love II studio album. The album entered theUK Albums Chart at No. 5, the band's highest chart position since 1982 and first top 10 entry since 1990.[11]
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Besides working with ABC, Fry has also recorded and toured with other artists.[12]
Fry and his wife, Julie, have twin children, Nancy and Louis.[18]
On 19 July 2012, Fry received an honoraryDoctor of Music degree from theUniversity of Sheffield for his contribution of more than 30 years to music. The following day, his daughter, Nancy received her degree from the Department of Sociological Studies from the same university.[19]
As of 2016, he has been married to his wife Julie for more than 30 years.[20]
ABC
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1982 | The Lexicon of Love |
| 1983 | Beauty Stab |
| 1985 | How to Be a ... Zillionaire! |
| 1987 | Alphabet City |
| 1989 | Up |
| 1991 | Abracadabra |
| 1997 | Skyscraping |
| 2008 | Traffic |
| 2016 | The Lexicon of Love II |
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
Data from Wikidata
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