ABC is a British pop band from Sheffield, UK, formed in 1980, best known for songs like The Look of Love and When Smokey Sings in the 1980s. Since 1997, ABC has been the solo project of singer and founder Martin Fry, who works with a variety of musicians.
White and Singleton started out as Vice Versa, who released an EP "Music 4" in 1979 and contributed the track "Genetic Warfare" to a compilation, "1980: The First Fifteen Minutes" before adding Fry to the lineup and mutating into ABC.
During the late '70s, Fry ran his own fanzine, Modern Drugs, while he attended Sheffield University. ABC formed in 1980, after Fry interviewed Vice Versa members Mark White (guitar) and Stephen Singleton (saxophone) for his fanzine. The two musicians asked Fry to join their band as a vocalist, and he soon became part of the group; the lineup also featured drummer David Robinson and bassist Mark Lickley.
Soon, Fry had taken control of the electronic band, he recruited Trevor Horn as producer to steer them in a more pop-oriented direction and renamed the group ABC. By the fall of 1981, the band had signed a record contract with Phonogram Records, which agreed to distribute ABC's own label, Neutron. ABC released their first single, "Tears Are Not Enough," in November; it peaked at number 19 on the U.K. charts.
Howard Jones & ABC with Richard Blade
Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, New York, United States Of America
Rewind South 2025 - Weekend Camping Tickets
Temple Island Meadows, Henley-On-Thames, Great Britain
Rewind South 2025 - Weekend No Camping Tickets
Temple Island Meadows, Henley-On-Thames, Great Britain
Rewind South 2025 - Saturday Tickets
Temple Island Meadows, Henley-On-Thames, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, Great Britain
ABC: The Lexicon of Love Album in Full Performed with an Orchestra
Utilita Arena Cardiff, Cardiff, Great Britain
ABC
The Brighton Centre, Brighton, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-On-Sea, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, Nottingham, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Sheffield City Hall Oval Hall, Sheffield, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
The London Palladium, London, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
The London Palladium, London, Great Britain
ABC: The Lexicon of Love - The album performed with an orchestra
O2 City Hall Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Great Britain
ABC
SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Bath Forum, Bath, Great Britain
ABC: The Lexicon of Love The album in full performed with an orchestra
O2 Apollo Manchester, Manchester, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Blackpool Opera House, Blackpool, Great Britain
2024
A Way With Media
CD, Ltd, Tou
2024
2023
Virgin EMI Records
Lathe, 12", S/Sided, Ltd, Num, Cle
2023
2020
UMC, Neutron Records, UMC, Neutron Records
3xCD, Comp
2020
2016
Virgin EMI Records
CDr, Single, Promo
2016
Virgin EMI Records
CDr, Single, Promo
2016
Virgin EMI Records
Box, Album, Comp, Ltd, Sig + LP, Album + LP, Album
2016
Virgin EMI Records
CDr, Single, Promo
2016
2016
2015
Music Brokers
2xFile, AAC, Single
2010
Spectrum Music (2), Universal UMC
2xCD, Comp
2008
Borough Music
CDr, Single, Promo
2008
Borough Music
CDr, Single, Promo
2008
Borough Music
CDr, Single, Promo
2008
2007
Universal Music, Universal Music International Ltd.
DVD-V, Comp
2007
2006
Marks & Spencer
CD, Comp
2006
2005
Blueprint (9)
DVD-V
2005
2005
2004
Universal
3xCD, Comp, RM
2004
2002
Universal
CDr, Promo, Smplr
2001
Mercury
CD, Single, Promo
2001
2001
2000
Delta #1, Delta #1, Delta #1
CD, Comp
2000
Zounds Music
CD, Comp, RM
2000
1999
1999
1997
Blatant
Cass, Promo, Smplr
1997
Deconstruction
CD, Promo, Smplr
1997
Vanderquest
VHS, Single, Promo, PAL
1997
1997
1997
1997
1997
1996
1993
1993
1992
Collectables
7", Single, RE
1992
1992
1991
MCA Records
12"
1991
EMI
Cass, Advance, Smplr
1991
1991
1991
1991
1990
PolyGram Music Video
VHS, Comp, PAL
1990
1990
1989
Mercury
12", RE
1989
1989
1989
1988
1987
PolyGram
7", Promo
1987
1987
1987
1987
1987
1986
Mercury
12", Promo
1986
Phonogram
12", S/Sided
1985
Neutron Records
10", Promo, Smplr
1985
Neutron Records
LP, S/Sided, Promo, Smplr
1985
1985
1985
1985
1985
1984
PolyGram
7", Promo
1984
1983
Polygram
7", Promo
1983
Arista, Mercury
12", Promo
1983
King Biscuit Flower Hour
LP, Transcription + LP, S/Sided, Transcription
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
1983
1982
Mercury, Mercury, EG
7", Promo
1982
AFRTS
LP, Comp, Transcription
1982
1982
1982
1982
1982
1982
1981
Mercury
CD, Album, Comp
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
ABC
Howard Jones & ABC with Richard Blade
Brooklyn Paramount, Brooklyn, New York, United States Of America
Rewind South 2025 - Weekend Camping Tickets
Temple Island Meadows, Henley-On-Thames, Great Britain
Rewind South 2025 - Weekend No Camping Tickets
Temple Island Meadows, Henley-On-Thames, Great Britain
Rewind South 2025 - Saturday Tickets
Temple Island Meadows, Henley-On-Thames, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, Great Britain
ABC: The Lexicon of Love Album in Full Performed with an Orchestra
Utilita Arena Cardiff, Cardiff, Great Britain
ABC
The Brighton Centre, Brighton, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Southend Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-On-Sea, Great Britain
Abc: the Lexicon of Love
Royal Concert Hall Nottingham, Nottingham, Great Britain