ABC are best known for their UK hit singles "The Look Of Love", "Poison Arrow" and "When Smokey Sings". The slick production from Trevor Horn, together with lead singer Martin Fry's stylish voice, helped ABC achieve big success in the early 80s, with their first and most successful album "Lexicon Of Love".
ABC had four UK hit singles from their "Lexicon Of Love" album; "Tears Are Not Enough", "Poison Arrow", "The Look Of Love" and "All Of My Heart".
For the rest of the 80s, ABC's career was a bit of a rollercoaster, to say the least, although they still managed to acheive ten Top 40 hits during the 80s.
ABC's follow-up album "Beauty Stab" was more guitar-based, and less of a success than "Lexicon Of Love", reaching just No.12 in the UK album charts in 1983.
The slippery slope continued in 1985 with the release of their third album "How To Be A Zillionaire", which only reached No.28 in the UK. However, they did return to the slick synth production style of "Lexicon Of Love".
However, there was an ABC revival in 1987 when the fourth album "Alphabet City" reached No.7 in the UK album charts. They also had a No.11 hit single from the album entitled "When Smokey Sings".
In 1989, the fifth album "Up" failed to reach the UK Top 40, and flopped at No.59. But there was another brief revival in 1990 with the "Absolutely" album in 1990, which managed to reach No.7.
Album Discography:
Martin Fry interviewed by
Donnie Sutherland
for SOUNDS in 1982.
ABC Lead singer Martin Fry speaks to Donnie
Sutherland about the band's success, music videos and connection with
the Human League.
