Martin Fry of ABC (Photo courtesy of ABC)
Martin Fry, consummate English showman, fronts disco/new wave collective ABC in a run of USA tour dates across the country, including a marquee show at Sony Hall in New York City on Wednesday, July 6! Fry celebrates the 40th anniversary of ABC’s debut album as well as other career hits in these wonderful and rare concerts.
ABC were formed in Sheffield in the early 1980s when they decided they wanted fuse the world of disco funk with their own unique post-punk vision. Since those early days, they have enjoyed a glittering career to date. One of a number of groups who came along and kick-started the Eighties with their own brand of pop for a “new decade,” on its release in May 1982, their debut album The Lexicon of Love crashed straight into the UK album charts at No. 1.
Showcasing the hits songs “Tears Are Not Enough,” “The Look of Love,” and “Poison Arrow,” among others, the album was a groundbreaking collection of modern love songs.
Watch the official music video for “Poison Arrow” by ABC on YouTube:
With a majestic production from the legendary Trevor Horn, The Lexicon of Love remains a classic to this day. Voted by many as the best British album of the decade. ABC’s second album Beauty Stab was a very different proposition to the polished beauty of The Lexicon of Love and spawned the hits “That Was Then But This Is Now” and “SOS.” It developed a much rawer hard-edged sound. These were protest songs from a band that was constantly evolving. This was followed in 1984 by the album How To Be A Zillionaire. The band remained active throughout the ’80s and ’90s, but took a 10 year recording break until their return with Traffic in 2008.
ABC returned to the scene of their most resounding triumph with the 2016 release of The Lexicon Of Love II on the Virgin EMI label. Sonically doffing its cap to the original, it featured 10 brand new songs from the pen of ABC kingpin Martin Fry abetted by various musical cohorts. It might take a less innocent, more experienced view on affairs of the heart than its million-selling predecessor, but it still concludes that all you need is love.
“ABC’s Martin Fry is a revelation, a soul man supreme, belting out pristine Vegas glitter pop and uptown House in his electric blue lounge suit. An ageless performer, Fry is the missing link between Bryan Ferry and Jarvis Cocker. For the inevitable encore of The Look of Love, he returns dipped in sparkly gold lamé,” said NME’s Stephen Dalton.
ABC Starring Martin Fry
Sony Hall (New York City)
Wednesday, July 6
Doors @ 6pm
$40
All ages