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The band was formed after Martin Fry (b. 9 March 1958, Manchester, England), interviewed Mark White (b. 1 April 1961, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England; guitar) and Stephen Singleton (b. 17 April 1959, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England; saxophone), two members of Sheffield-based electronic outfit Vice Versa, for his fanzine Modern Drugs. Fry joined as vocalist, changed the name to ABC, and altered the musical direction toward a more pop-orientated course. The band, completed by the arrival of bass player Mark Lickley and drummer David Robinson, (the latter was soon replaced by David Palmer {b. 29 May 1961, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England}). The band's debut single "Tears Are Not Enough", featuring Robinson, was released on their Neutron label. The song made the UK Top 20 in late 1981. The following year cemented ABC's reputation, with three UK Top 10 hits in a seven-month period: "Poison Arrow", "The Look Of Love" and "All Of My Heart".The Trevor Horn-produced album, "The Lexicon Of Love", remains a benchmark of 80s pop. The album reached number 1 (US Top 30) and stayed in the UK charts for a year. The follow-up Beauty Stab was recorded as a trio following Palmer's defection to the Yellow Magic Orchestra. By 1984 only Fry and White remained from the original line-up. They continued as ABC, gaining the band some success in the USA with "Be Near Me" reaching the Top 10 in 1985 and "(How To Be A) Millionaire" peaking at number 20 the following January. Fry became seriously ill in 1986 and was absent for over a year while he received treatment for Hodgkin's disease. He teamed up with White once more for 1987's memorable UK Top 20/US Top 5 hit, "When Smokey Sings". By the middle of the 90's only Fry remained from the original line-up. The album Skyscraping was good at recreating the "classic" ABC sound. Since the album's release Fry has continued to lead ABC.

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