Martin Fry & ABC: The Lexicon of Love

In the early ‘80s, the British pop scene was undergoing a major transformation. Punk was giving way to a new wave of music that embraced synthesizers, sophisticated production, and a healthy dose of glam. No band better epitomized this shift than ABC, led by the charismatic Martin Fry, whose stylish charisma and sharp wit turned the group into one of the era’s most defining acts.

Martin Fry and ABC join forces with synth-pop maestro Howard Jones on tour this spring, where fans can expect an electrifying evening packed with one iconic hit after another.

“ABC first came together all those years ago in Sheffield, England, back in the early days of MTV," Fry says during an interview with 80s Central. "I used to cross paths with Howard all the time through the '80s, and then, more recently, we reconnected and decided to hit the road together. Musically, I think we’re a perfect match. We did a tour last August and September, hitting about 16 dates across the U.S., and it was an absolute blast. It was like two New Wave legends sharing the stage, and honestly, some of the best shows we’ve ever done in 40 years. We had incredible nights—just magic onstage.”

With a career spanning over four decades, Fry has seen his band rise from the art-school intellectualism of the early ‘80s to the arena-filling stars of pop’s glittering heyday.

It all started in 1982 with the release of Lexicon of Love, the album that would become both their calling card and their artistic manifesto. Produced by Trevor Horn, the man behind some of the most lushly produced albums of the time (think Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood), Lexicon of Love was nothing short of revolutionary.

"Our first album, Lexicon of Love, which was packed with love songs and had this loose thread connecting everything, has really stuck with me over the years. Every song you write, you hope it hits number one, but with Lexicon, especially with tracks like 'The Look of Love,' 'All of My Heart,' 'Tears Are Not Enough,' and 'Poison Arrow,' it’s just incredible to see how people still get so excited about those songs all these years later. Honestly, I’ll never get tired of singing them."

The collaboration with Trevor Horn pushed ABC to their creative limits. Fry was determined to create something that was both sophisticated and accessible, a cocktail of romantic lyrics and glossy arrangements that could hold their own on both the dancefloor and the airwaves.

Fry’s vision for ABC was always about blending pop accessibility with high art, a desire that led to the creation of The Lexicon of Love. The album’s sophisticated mix of lush strings, digital synths, and clever wordplay not only struck a chord with fans but redefined what mainstream pop could be. It was an era where the British art school movement was blending with a new kind of pop music, and ABC found itself leading the charge.

When we made The Lexicon of Love, we didn’t have a road map," Fry told Rolling Stone. "We were experimenting with everything: sound, style, and production. It wasn’t just about making hit songs; it was about making something beautiful, something that lasted.

And last it did.

 "The Look of Love" is, arguably, ABC’s signature anthem, a glittering, silky track that combined catchy hooks with an irresistible sense of cool. With its soaring melodies and cinematic arrangements, it immediately resonated with fans and critics alike, propelling ABC into the pop stratosphere.

The collaboration with Horn pushed ABC to their creative limits. Fry was determined to create something that was both sophisticated and accessible, a cocktail of romantic lyrics and glossy arrangements that could hold their own on both the dancefloor and the airwaves.

"We were incredibly fortunate, honestly. It was this perfect storm of collaboration—everyone in the studio was just firing on all cylinders. Every 20 minutes, something amazing would happen. It was one of those creative times where everything clicked, and you could feel that joy in the music. I think that's why it still resonates with people all these years later."

And it doesn't hurt to have one of your musical heroes show up unannounced and sit in on the recording sessions: The legendary David Bowie.

"We were in the studio with Trevor, recording Poison Arrow and The Look of Love. Then, we had to move studios," Fry said. "We were at San East, and we were like, 'Alright, where should we go next?' Tony Visconti, Bowie’s producer, had a place called Good Earth in Soho, so we decided to head there. It was a Wednesday, and I’m in the restroom with Mark White, just minding our business, when I hear this voice behind us: 'Look at you, pissing with the big dogs.' I turn around, and it’s David Bowie—just standing there, holding a cup of tea.

"Now first, nobody talks in the restroom, right? It's just not done. But here's Bowie, casually chatting away. He was there to visit Tony, who was working on his own project, and he’d just come to hang out. He ended up staying in the studio with us for a couple of hours. We were all freaking out—this was David Bowie, after all, and we were just starting out. But he was so cool, so gracious, you know? He gave us some feedback on the tracks and even made a few suggestions while we were doing keyboard overdubs for the 12-inch of The Look of Love. It was like he sprinkled a bit of that magic Stardust on us." 

The Bowie experience may have lasted just a few hours, but the memories still linger with Fry just as if it happened yesterday.

"It was mind-blowing, honestly—like meeting your hero. And then, to top it off, he came to our show at the Hammersmith Odeon. He watched from the side of the stage, but nobody told me at the time. They knew if they did, I’d probably lose it, so I found out later. Just imagine playing a show and finding out Bowie was there the whole time. Unbelievable."

The album’s intricate arrangements and cinematic qualities made it an immediate standout, not just in the UK, but across the globe. Horn’s meticulous production skills (which earned him a reputation as one of the best in the business) elevated the album’s elegance and slickness, creating a record that sounded futuristic yet timeless. But it was Fry’s razor-sharp songwriting that truly gave Lexicon of Love its edge. Lyrically, the album was a study in romanticism—of love, loss, and longing—wrapped in the kind of magnetic glamour that was hard to ignore. 

The debut single, "Poison Arrow," was an instant hit, and the follow-up "The Look of Love" became one of the quintessential songs of the era. It wasn’t long before MTV latched onto the track, and ABC was propelled to international fame that took Fry by surprise.

"As for the success, yeah, it was pretty overwhelming at first. It kind of snowballed, didn’t it? But it opened doors—suddenly we were in America, part of that wave of British acts hitting the States in the early '80s. The Police, The Pretenders, us... we were all hopping on planes to New York, trying to break through. It was a wild time."

And ABC was the perfect band for the fledgling television network that didn't change the way we listened to music, but how we looked at music. MTV made everything more theatrical, more immersive. And for a band like ABC, that was a game-changer.

MTV’s arrival in 1981 marked a new era for pop music, where visuals were just as important as the music itself. And in Martin Fry, ABC had a frontman who was more than equipped for this new reality. With his sharp suits, peroxide blonde hair, and high-energy performances, Fry became a poster child for the era’s penchant for artifice and self-presentation.

ABC’s music videos were iconic, full of bold colors, stylish choreography, and an undeniable sense of flair. The success of The Look of Love on MTV helped solidify their status as one of the decade’s most visually and sonically captivating bands.

By the time Lexicon of Love reached its peak, ABC was at the forefront of the second British Invasion, leading the charge for a new breed of sophisticated pop that balanced high style with infectious tunes. The album became an international smash, earning critical praise and commercial success. It cemented ABC’s place in pop history and set the bar for the genre’s future direction.

"Yeah, MTV was absolutely revolutionary. I remember having dinner with a few of the folks from MTV back in the day—it was literally like five people. It’s wild to think about now, but MTV wasn’t this massive corporation like it became. It was a small operation, almost like a cottage industry. They had just a few videos to play, and we were lucky enough to be part of that early wave.

"I mean, yeah, it was great—sometimes you’d get a free cheeseburger when someone recognized you from the 'Look of Love' or 'Poison Arrow' videos. But the impact? That was immediate. It was like night and day. One minute you’re just putting out music, and the next, you're walking down the street and people are stopping you, pointing and saying, 'Hey, I know you from somewhere!' It’s a trip, even now. I’ll get those side-long glances, people trying to figure out if they know me, and usually, they think I’m their cousin or something. You give them the cold shoulder, and they keep walking, none the wiser.

"But seriously, fame’s a funny thing. It’s great in certain spots. You walk into the right room, and suddenly, you're recognized. MTV definitely took us to the next level. It changed everything for us."

There are songs from the '80s that remain in the air even decades later, and ABC’s catalog is filled with them. From the infectious "Poison Arrow" to the deeply romantic "All of My Heart," the band’s sonic landscape took listeners on a journey of heartache, longing, and passion. Each track carries with it a signature smoothness and emotional depth that turned ABC into one of the decade's most iconic bands.

"I always felt that what we were doing was a bit more sophisticated than what was happening around us," Fry said. "We were lucky to be in a space where we could combine intellect and emotion, and the fans responded to that."

 But the success didn’t stop with their debut album.. ABC’s follow-up album, Beauty Stab (1983), while not as commercially successful as its predecessor, displayed Fry’s ability to experiment with a more aggressive and guitar-driven sound. It showed the band's resilience and willingness to push boundaries beyond their initial fame, something that still defines ABC’s musical ethos today. The 1985 album "How to Be a ... Zillionaire!" spawned the Top 10 hit "Be Near Me." 

 When ABC’s "When Smokey Sings" hit the airwaves in 1987, it wasn’t just another pop song—it was a masterclass in smooth, sophisticated sound. 

The track was an irresistible fusion of soulful melodies, lush production, and Fry’s signature elegance, all wrapped up in a celebration of one of R&B’s greatest legends, Smokey Robinson. But behind the smooth grooves and silky vocals, the story of its creation is one of inspiration in the face of deep personal struggle, artistic evolution, and a deep reverence for the music that shaped ABC’s sound.

"In 1986, I hit one of the toughest moments of my life. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, a form of cancer, and suddenly everything came to a halt," he said. "I was supposed to be out on tour with Tina Turner, but instead, I was stuck at home, undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. At 27, it was a heavy blow, but in the midst of all that, I started turning to music—my favorite songs—just to get through the days. There’s something so comforting about playing those tracks in the privacy of your own space, you know? It’s like a time machine that takes you back to a simpler place.

"That’s when When Smokey Sings came to life."

Lyrically, "When Smokey Sings" was a celebration of Robinson’s artistry, with Fry’s unmistakable vocal charm weaving a narrative that paid homage to the magic Smokey created with just his voice and a microphone. "When Smokey sings, I hear his voice in the night / And it brings me back to life," Fry croons, capturing that feeling of nostalgia and emotional connection that comes with hearing your favorite artist do what they do best. It’s a love letter not just to Smokey, but to the power of music itself.

"It was a tribute to the incredible Motown music I’d grown up with—the soul of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Bowie, Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music. It was a celebration of those songs that had always uplifted me. It wasn’t just about the sound; it was about the joy they brought.

"When we recorded the track, it felt like magic. We all knew it was something special. It was one of those rare moments when a song just feels bulletproof. The record company heard it, and they immediately said, 'That’s a hit.' It doesn’t always happen like that, but on this one, it just clicked. Before long, our record was in the top five in the U.S., right alongside Smokey Robinson’s ‘One Heartbeat.’ What a wild feeling—two records in the top five at the same time."

Fry didn’t miss a beat when the opportunity to meet another of his musical idols came knocking—he got the invite straight from the legend himself.

"Then came the cherry on top: we met Smokey on a TV show, and he invited us to Motown. He was the CEO at the time, and he sent me a handwritten letter thanking us for paying tribute to the music and to him. It meant the world to me. So yeah, a lot of incredible things came out of that record—it was definitely one of the highlights of my career."

Upon release, When Smokey Sings became an instant classic, earning critical praise for its seamless fusion of genres and Fry’s effortless, cool delivery. The song was a commercial success, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming one of the most beloved tracks in ABC’s catalog.

As the song continues to capture the hearts of new generations, its message remains simple: great music never fades—it only gets better with time.

Now, more than four decades later, Fry and ABC are gearing up to share the stage with another icon of the era: Howard Jones. The pairing is a match made in '80s heaven, with both acts representing the peak of synthesizer-driven pop during the decade. Fans will undoubtedly flock to see them perform classics, but with a combined energy that has only been amplified by years of experience. 

In a world of synth-heavy bands that leaned into the post-punk ethos, ABC showed that sophistication and style could be just as compelling. With its blend of new wave, art rock, and glam, Lexicon of Love has stood the test of time, influencing not just musicians but fashion and culture as a whole.

Martin Fry reflects on the legacy of ABC with a mixture of pride and humility. A lush catalogue of songs that have influenced countless artists, including the Pet Shop Boys, Lady Gaga and many more.

"Back in the day, I was incredibly competitive—fiercely so. I was going head-to-head with everyone, trying to carve out our space," he said. "But then, fast forward to a show in February, and the Pet Shop Boys show up to watch. That felt pretty damn good, not gonna lie. And what’s even more exciting now is seeing younger artists who have gone back, really dug into the '80s, and drawn inspiration from that era. You can hear it in the pop hits today—the production, the sounds. It's a trip to hear how the '80s influence is still so present."

Today, Lexicon of Love is hailed as one of the greatest albums of the ‘80s, with songs like "The Look of Love" and "Poison Arrow" continuing to define the sonic landscape of the era. It’s a record that never ages, and the passion behind its creation still resonates with fans who remember its release—and those discovering it anew.

"But honestly, the most amazing thing is seeing it all come full circle—standing on stage, watching people smile and connect with the music," Fry said. "And when someone reaches out to say, ‘Hey, I really love 'The Look of Love' or one of your other songs,’ it hits differently. It’s like passing the torch to the next generation of musicians. That’s the beauty of it. We’re all moving through time, but it’s nice to know our music is still resonating with people."

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