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(1980 – 1992, 1997 – present)

ABC is the present vehicle for Martin Fry, originally formed as a four-piece, and were one of the major players in the movement of the early 1980s. They could perhaps also be credited with creating the short-lived pigeonhole of ‘’ - smart suits, clever lyrics and elaborate synth-based melodies.

ABC was formed in 1980 after Martin Fry, a music journalist, interviewed the band Vice Versa for his fanzine Modern Drugs. They adopted Fry as lead vocalist and changed their name to ABC. They were pigeon-holed as part of the movement of the time, which included bands such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and The Human League.

Their first single, “Tears Are Not Enough”, made the UK Top 20 in 1981. Soon afterwards, David Robinson left the band and was replaced by David Palmer (no relation to keyboardist David Palmer). The band had three Top 10 hits during 1982: the singles “PlayPoison Arrow”, “The Look of Love” and “All Of My Heart.”

Later that year, the band released their debut album The Lexicon of Love. Heavy on rhyming couplets and tales of unrequited love, the album was a big hit, reaching number one in the UK album charts. Produced by Trevor Horn, it often features in UK critics’ lists of favourite albums: it ranked 42nd in The Observer Music Monthly’s “Top 100 British Albums” (June 2004) and 40th in Q magazine’s “100 Greatest British Albums” (June 2000).
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Poison Arrow full track
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2  
570
3  
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4 Play
487
5  
280
6  
278
7  
221
8 Play
216
9 Play
Many Happy Returns full track
207
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202
11 Play
Valentine's Day full track
188
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Date Stamp full track
162
13 Play
145
14 Play
4 Ever 2 Gether full track
139
15  
111
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