Martin Fry

Career overview

Martin David Fry was born on March 9, 1958, in Stretford, Lancashire, which is now part of the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford in Greater Manchester. He grew up in nearby Bramhall, Stockport, alongside his younger brother Jamie, who later joined the indie rock band Earl Brutus. Before coming to prominence in the music industry, Fry was editing a fanzine titled Modern Drugs.

Fry came to prominence in the early 1980s as a co-founder and the lead vocalist of the pop and new-wave band ABC, which he formed alongside Mark White. As part of ABC, Fry is credited in the music department for works including Music and Lyrics. During the 1980s, the band released six singles that entered the top 20 charts in the United Kingdom, which included 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.

Alongside these charting singles, Martin and ABC produced five hit albums during the 1980s. These included Beauty Stab in 1983, Alphabet City in 1987, and their biggest hit, The Lexicon of Love in 1982, which reached number one. Fry is the only member who has been with ABC throughout its entire history and serves as its only official member.