Martin Fry ABC BBC Breakfast 2022

Martin Fry from ABC chats to Charlie and Naga on BBC Breakfast May 2022

[@mikefellows3901]

Always seems such a genuine, sincere and nice guy. ABC delivered some of the best soundtracks to the early 80's ! Thanks guys !

[@waynedexter]

Everyone is genuine until they’re not.

[@patrickkelcey2435]

Dead on..... 😎

[@joydarling314]

This man aged well still handsome.

[@robhosking9399]

Martin fry, you've always been a class act, love your music and style. ABC are just pure class.

[@SpagmanAus]

The Lexicon of Love is one of my top 3 personal favourite albums of all time. Everyone else I know thinks it's soppy and lame, but I love it. It's a guilty pleasure that I'll never stop listening to.

[@waggsish]

Oh its PURE fUCKING ROMANCE.

[@colewhite4184]

I think it’s safe to say that it’s one of the best produced albums of that decade

[@nigelcurtis204]

Not soppy or lame. It's pure class

[@simonwillcox9934]

Far from lame

[@tonymeehan7859]

whats so lame about that?? That album is one of my top favs of all time - still....who cares what everyone else thinks....you have good taste in music.

[@ericrobinson1789]

The Lexicon Of Love was one of the best albums of the 80s hands down!

[@bikiniburger4376]

Such a classy guy.

[@athensga4930]

unforgettable music unforgettable moments amazing band and innovative style

[@cherryberry2423]

He is and always will be so class

[@jc5202]

My grandad loved when smokey sings, reminds me of him so much. Love this band so much.

[@lisamadeleinesmith4996]

A gorgeous man who had a very difficult time. Wishing him continued good health and happiness.

[@zaksmith4523]

Can you clarify the difficult time?

[@lisamadeleinesmith4996]

@@zaksmith4523 he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1986 at age 27.

[@zaksmith4523]

@@lisamadeleinesmith4996Thanks for clarifying. My mother had Lymphoma and passed as a result of it.

[@BrendanPramjee]

Protect Martin Fry at all costs!! Legend

[@CasualGamerPlays]

The respect he and his band members had for other artists and bands such as Earth, Wind, and Fire is amazing. They were so competitive, listening to other artists and paying attention to what they were wearing, how they sounded, etc, 80's music in my opinion, is the best because of how competitive it was from america to the uk

[@ckfandor4300]

Good to see Mr Martin Fry after decades of being the ironic lead singer (distinct voice) of one of my favorite 80s band, "ABC." and it is a good thing also that he won that fight in beating his own health dilemmas of cancer ABC and all their hit songs 🎵 of the 80s are all fantastic and beautiful and will always be a treasure to listen to because the great 80s British band era are the best of the best. Can't excahnge it for this current modern times radio music and artist.

[@PaulLancaster-hj3kx]

Those 3 amazing songs from the 1st album will be played on the radio for eternity. What a voice he has and what a nice guy, thanks for the Music Martin.

[@gixxerboy555]

One of my favorite ever singers..awesome..

[@seizethedayandlive]

What an admirable human being. Total respect.

[@dudley7788]

This guy is like the nicest coolest guy. As far as he mentioned about clothes and the band, if the music sucks it sucks. ABC music was, is and always will be the bomb as they say.

[@geoffreyjonathanwilson9932]

Lovely man and a music legend for sure.🙂

[@brandon2912t]

Martin Fry is hilarious, loved this band!

[@dougansell]

I met Martin at a hotel pool one time. He was an absolute pleasure to meet. I wasn’t sure it was him… I just asked “Are you Martin Fry?” - and he was - and he was an absolute gentleman. I’ve been an admirer of them since my teens.

[@FeckArseIndustries]

That was me. I was just rinsing my nuts before a night out on the lash, sorry. I did used to look like him a bit though. Not the first time being mis-recognised. Incidentally, great night and shat myself in the stair well of that very same hotel. Happy days.

[@dougansell]

@@FeckArseIndustries LOL... well the concert you invited us to was great as well. You really went all out to convince me!

[@FeckArseIndustries]

@Doug Ansell Love Doug! Nice to see you again. Glad it made ya smile... hopefully.

[@dougansell]

@@FeckArseIndustries lol of course!

[@FeckArseIndustries]

@Doug Ansell This 3what KZbin 'should' be about. Warm, friendly banter. Wherever you are Sir, may your days be happy and long. Take care fella.

[@CT37BN]

The poetry of Fry's writing and clear intonation in his songs is what stuck to me when I think of ABC. They fused New Romantics/New Wave with Funk in the best sensible way. The band's iteration during every album never lost their form. Huge fan.

[@keithkoenig5320]

ABC will be touring America with Howard Jones and Haircut 100 this Summer, and I couldn't be happier. Ioved those ABC hits and thought some of their music was a brilliant homage to Roxy Music, one of my very favorite bands. Best wishes to Martin. So great to see him still making music.

[@davina686]

Amazing then and now

[@rodrigomunoz3012]

The elegance of Mr. Martin Fry.

[@jamesmccarthy7228]

Mr. debonair himself, and the man with the velvet voice, Martin Fry. Absolutely still love listening to ABC, especially the early stuff. Skyscraping is another favourite of mine though. Had the privilege of seeing them play live once in my home town, way back when. Couldn't stop singing along to all the hits. Happy days !!! 👌

[@simona470]

Let’s cherish these guys, they won’t live forever ❤

[@samwalton4598]

I’m a rocker at heart, but love many kinds of music. ABC and a few others from the 80’s English Beat era captured my youth in a way that is still a part of me. Haircut 100, the English Beat, General Public. Upbeat innocent idealistic and positive music. I was listening to ABC on YT and saw this video. Awesome! Good to see Mr. Fry has taken care of himself. He is about my age so we grew up together👍😎🤟🏿!! Well done man.

[@janicebroom1612]

Have just seen ABC in Birmingham and Truro, brilliant brilliant, love Martin Fry's songwriting

[@jonathancollard3710]

Class act- the sound track to my formate years as a lad about town 🤭. All still in playlist. Nice to see Martin perhaps even a little bit uncomfortable in the spotlight, so not glib nor arrogant; humble even. Saw him a few years back and everyone was bopping about.

[@jamesg5700]

Love Martin Fry and ABC..... they still bring me joy 40+ years on!

[@dadyarusski4594]

Oh my God, he looks gorgeous 😍

[@Danimal1577]

I just saw Martin Fry & ABC at the Ojai Libbey Bowl and they kicked my arse. Had the whole crowd dancing. The show got me back into their catalogue and got me listening to Lexicon of Love II. That is a BRILLIANT record! Thank you for being you, Martin. Bringing smiles and happiness to countless folks around the world 🕺🏼

[@k.avilla8061]

I find it amusing that they call themselves 'Martin Fry and ABC.' Of the original four members who played on the first album, only Fry remains in the band. Drummer, David Palmer, left after the first album in 1983. Saxophonist, Stephen Singleton left after the second album in 1984. This left a pair of originals, Fry and Mark White. White stuck it out until the early/mid 1990's before leaving. That left Fry alone, as the only original member and I think that what they now call 'ABC' is made up of non-permanent, changeable musicians. In effect, Fry IS now ABC, in the same way that Mick Hucknall WAS, 'Simply Red' having disposed of his regular band after the first album.

[@markbetts7345]

I don't think Martin got rid of the band as much as the band left ABC. If you're Martin why wouldn't you continue playing the music you wrote and LOVE@@@k.avilla8061

[@Andy-Robus]

Martin Fry actually looks now like a BBC News Reader lol

[@bonghunezhou5051]

😉😃

[@robyndismon394]

He looks happy and healthy. Probably the only 2 goals I will ever care about!

[@hobsonbeeman7529]

What a gracious and reserved individual who has been there for an exciting time in music, the 80s were the best and many great bands came about with great hits. Not like a lot of rubbish now days. I love the fact he regards his singing as therapeutic and it’s not a doldrum task…..great singer!

[@bigsquatchsasfoot1964]

My all time favourite band they were a wonderful talented bunch of musicians and I still play them now , Beauty stab was a wonderfully musical album thanks for the music Martin 🙏👍

[@k.avilla8061]

Unfortunately, upon release, Beauty Stab wasn't well received by the critics or the public and was a commercial failure. The band made a badly judged decision to change musical direction and changed producer, which was a big mistake, as 'Lexicon's' producer, Trevor Horn, was an important factor in the first album's success. Gone were the orchestra and the arranger, Anne Dudley, which was so important to the sound of Lexicon, so loved by audience. The tracks on Beauty Stab lacked the quality and the lush, romantic sound of violins etc.. which helped to make Lexicon a success and thereby proved a disappointment to ABC fans who were hoping for Lexicon part 2. Having said that, that doesn't mean Beauty Stab was a bad album. In later years, critics' opinions were more favorable towards it and it gained more respect, retrospectively. There are some good songs on on the album, with good lyrics, many dealing with more serious subjects - the more challenging aspects of life for ordinary people in Thatcher's Britain, like unemployment, and the threat of nuclear war. It is actually, musically and lyrically, a better album than many others of the time that were more commercially successful. But, it wasn't 'Lexicon' and the public were not expecting it, which is a shame, because it deserved more credit than it got.

[@gillianrayner3586]

Thanks for the well researched and informative information - but- so right - nothing could compare to the lush romantic sounds of Lexicon of Love - even the album cover was so romantic - sigh- how I miss 'the age' of ABC!

[@marcreed3843]

Those were awesome times!! Still sounds good 2023!

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

Saw ABC in NYC this past Weds and he sounds amazing

[@domfjbrown75]

'All of my heart' is one of the best tracks of all time!

[@TheZ1A900]

What nice guy ! Seen you once in Macdonads in Westbourne Grove :)

[@taxpayer6079]

Fry appears to be a total gentleman. Such talent. Best wishes.

[@lornestein7248]

May admiration for this man grows more and more with each passing year. He knew how to entertain to the masses. Wonderful music.

[@carminerichards8299]

Class act! All the way! Ty my man for the great words in your music! Can't believe in 58 thanks again for a great childhood of great music!

[@CarlosAlberto-ii1li]

Great human, we are lucky to still have him.

[@palomavega604]

Absolute perfection, I have pictures from the gig at the Palladium in the 80s or maybe it was the 90s. I’m not really sure now but I made a special outfit a long silk flowing white gown with a green velvet jacket. I had so much fun getting ready for that concert. The orchestra, the band, the singing everything was on point. One of the highlights of my younger days. I live in America. In California I sure hope and at some point you were able to do a small tour here. Specifically Los Angeles. I saw a Roxy Music do their 50th of course it was amazing you’re right up there with them. the big sound just absolutely gorgeous. I play your music to this day. It puts me in the best mood.! Thank you so much for the universe drawing together since talented members and making it happen❤ Valencia Vega

[@markleon411]

Anne Dudley is the perfect person to enhance ABC's music.

[@isidromoreno8378]

Thank you Martin for the beautiful music 🎶 that you made I am A 80s man GOD bless you Martin 😎 hi from the Mexican border Tijuana Mexico 🇲🇽

[@scretching08]

Martin Fry from ABC looks great I loved those hits my friend. God Bless!

[@ericalver2877]

I saw ABC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA) as part of an 'Best of '80's' concert that included Belinda Carlisle and it was FANTASTICALLY FUN

[@cynthiabassani1777]

He's my favorite! 40 years!

[@sktsofvegas]

Martin you look fabulous. Be well and come to Vegas!

[@geoffreyjonathanwilson9932]

ABC were a great band in my opinion.☺️

[@Jon.......]

Liking that tie, Martin!

[@user-po3ko9yb5w]

Listened to the album yesterday Love 🤍

[@BlackWingedSeraphX]

Funny. I listened to his songs and now this interview is this year!

[@theseattlesound1]

I listen to them a little too much...love.❤

[@mariaginty4890]

Love Martin - fab band.

[@claudiojunior9618]

I want a one way ticket back to the 80's.

[@myjurisdictionallrightsres4901]

Mr Fry is a MASTER WORDSMITH, Lyrically speaking

[@warrenbuckley5026]

Just seen concert London Paladium 22/02/2024 So Good No quality loss despite over 40 years since original

[@michaelw2816]

Lexicon of Love was so good that the follow up 1983 album Beauty Stab tends to get overlooked. The ABC track SOS is as good as anything on Lexicon but barely troubled the Top 40.

[@k.avilla8061]

Many young people in the UK living in the early 80's loved the 'Lexicon of Love'. I was one of them. The orchestral 'intro' track to the album, 'show me' was hypnotic. 'Poison Arrow' is one of my favorite songs to this day. The album was really quite romantic, in an unsophisticated, Northern European way. The band made a film directed by Julian Temple called ' Mantrap' . The band were filmed performing live in Paris and elsewhere, on tour. The plot wasn't easy to follow, but, images of streets and churches in the (then) country of Czechoslovakia (or Austria ?) gave us images that were unfamiliar to an English audience. The follow-up album, 'Beauty Stab' was a disappointment . I think that this was because it was, stylistically, a massive diversion from ' Lexicon' . No orchestra ( violins etc..), no romance, no gold lame or dinner suits etc.., but it was, in retrospect, actually, not a bad album.. The trouble was, the band had tried to transform themselves into something else. The interviewers never ask Fry what happened to the rest of the original band, Now, the band is just Fry and ..whomever.

[@GeorgieKeen]

Martin Fry - ABC - Mega Star - "The Lexicon of Love" - Such a Cool Album, check it out if you have not done so - and you love the 80's -

[@gishfan7007]

Hey, let's invite 80's legend Martin Fry in for a chat, then talk all over him 🤷‍♂️

[@hds181]

Very cool. Pretty sure that I have every one of their CDs.

[@rabit818]

Dude got got class, no name dropping.

[@peterfranks6243]

The unforgettable, wonderful eighties.. Sadly the last time you dressed up to go out, men dressed in a suit to get into pubs and night clubs

[@vantheman1238]

Martin was a great great singer and leader of ABC

[@jimmyoconnell6167]

Best 80s band by far I loved ABC

[@ShalAngel-cc1ef]

Wow that is a bit of a reach, one band i did not have any interest in at all, thought they were boring! Barely sounded 80s to me really compared to many other fantastic bands, but each to their own!

[@jimmyoconnell6167]

@@ShalAngel-cc1ef my real music is pink floyd. Led zeppelin. Deep purple. Hawkwind. AC/DC . Motorhead

[@ShalAngel-cc1ef]

@@jimmyoconnell6167 Mine as well as the chart stuff, i was introduced to an amazing rock band called Y&T, in 85/86, it was love at first listen, been a rock fan ever since! They remain my faves, also like Dio, Def Leppard, Keel, Dokken, some Cinderella, way to many to mention, and still find new rock music i had missed! But Y&T will always remain the best for me, so f.....g underrated! Each to their own though! Check them out, you never know, most who discover them, love them, and wonder why the hell they have never heard of them before lol been going since the 70s i think, and still to this day, and the lead singer Dave Meniketti can still sing live and he plays guitar, he is a legend to me!!

[@simounibarra1514]

Be near me. New wave never dies!

[@lenchonegro5567]

God has kept him looking good😮

[@TWHISPERER]

The Gold suit was actually done by Elvis first. It's not something that started in the 80s but I see what Mr. Fry means

[@garthlyon]

Charming gentleman - I have Poison Arrow as a 45: perfect pop.

[@nope5445]

That UK movement in the early '80s was known as the New Romantics.

[@roywatson8133]

martin fry may have worn a shiney suit to get to number 1 but is songs deseved to be there

[@rajnirvan3336]

Always smartly dressed Martin

[@rezamotori5709]

Martin looks like Michael Palin here

[@Eishockeyfledermaus]

I ❤ ABC ((👏))

[@markgreet3543]

Great band and style, martain looked great in a burberry shirt.

[@saxmidiman]

"When Smokey Sings"..my favorite...."Tower Of London" next. Love this guy,😎

[@antoniocognato5023]

My favorite song as well! I was 13! Great times back then! September 1987!

[@SirPaulMuaddib]

I still have the original LP's from ABC. I think one was The Lexicon of Love...the other album I don't recall the name...Zillionare? or was that on the other album?

[@user-ew7xg5kp6i]

Martin and ABC was one of the main and major contributions to early sounds of 80s British music scene. I dont really think Duran Duran has created their music style of their own. Evidently if you compare them to Japan they started few years early than DoubleD, and you cannot deny that their early albums had the sounds of the group Japan. Sadly, now people talk about Double D but seldom talk about Japan. But at the same time i appauld the decent efforts which Martin Fry and the boys created their own unique sound and style. One thing we should know that many of the acts from New Romantic movement more or less influenced by Bowie and mainly from Ferry / Roxy Music era few years earlier.

[@GiannaFiore]

He's so cute

[@break2262]

I'm trying to figure out is it windows or just displays in the studio, the look outside seem too vibrant and clean to be real.

[@Tekknorg]

Martin Dry is the most british human being.

[@KateMarshall-]

what a gent

[@v.a.993]

In the video for Poison Arrow the base player appears. In Look of Love video he is not there. In the video clip of Poison Arrow that appeared here @2:05, he is there. What is his name and why did he leave ABC? His base playing is amazing!!!!!

[@pyjamaricky]

Mark Lickley was the Bassist, and did 'Tears Are Not Enough' 'The Look Of Love' and 'Poison Arrow' even the magnificent Bass line on the latter, wasn't deemed good enough for producer Trevor Horn, and they sacked him. Very harsh. But they bought in a guy called Brad Lang, who did the rest of the album. He sounds like a cross between Chic's Bernard Edwards, and Jazz fusion master Jaco Pastorius. Trevor Horn got it right with the decision he made.

[@christopherking3937]

Trevor picked up the bass himself on certain occasions. Mention no names………. Erm……. FGtH. 😅

[@christopherking3937]

Grace Jones …………

[@johnnybala5112]

I think this Guy wears a suit to change the oil in his car. Impossible to imagine him in jeans and a tshirt!👍

[@DIETRICHCICCONE]

Love ABC - King Without a Crown is AAA

[@pipkins]

Outrageously underrated track.

[@bonghunezhou5051]

00:37 🎶💿😊

[@kadiummusic]

They wasted four minutes talking about his suits! That's typical BBC, turn everything into a shade of grey instead of making it sparkle with informed music savvy interviewers. 🙄

[@tonycatman]

Martin : I know for a fact that the gold suit was stolen by Roland Gift of the Fine Young Cannibals. He is wearing it in the "Suspicious Minds" video - obviously too big for him. Gift used to run a second-hand clothing store, so he probably couldn't resist it.

[@dougmedina4619]

I hope it's true. Ha,ha!!!

[@davidcopson5800]

@@dougmedina4619 If it's not it would drive me crazy!

[@jonathancollard3710]

😁😁😁😁

[@williamr3840]

Lol! Is that a model behind him -- or is it a real view? :0)

[@FranklinShihtzu]

Back when music was good especially from the UK 🇬🇧 ( says this American 🇺🇸)

[@zutalors960]

Still handsome!

[@tres5533]

Martin Fry is a class act..... Full Stop.

[@thomaswendt9271]

He has more hair !

[@caoilte8097]

Martin has a gentle voice and seems nice and genuine. But i didnt like the fella interviewing him. You can tell he's an absolute toerag from the hairstyle alone

[@christakonis325]

Love it. she needs to get her face together

[@BlueEmulsion]

ABC BBC Friscott