Martin Fry

Martin David Fry (born 9 March 1958, in Stockport, Cheshire) is an English singer. He is the lead singer (and currently sole member) of the new wave band ABC.

Biography

He grew up in Bramhall, Stockport, alongside his younger brother Jamie (of Earl Brutus).

ABC

Martin Fry first met up with future bandmates Mark White and Stephen Singleton while interviewing them for a fanzine that he edited called Modern Drugs. White and Singleton, then fronting a rock band called Vice Versa, invited Fry to join their band to play the keyboards. The group changed its name to ABC and changed its sound to a synthpop style that at that time led them to be categorized with bands like Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, and The Human League.

Between 1982 and 1992, ABC recorded six studio albums (The Lexicon of Love, Beauty Stab, How to Be a...Zillionaire!, Alphabet City, Up and Abracadabra) and released a greatest hits compilation, Absolutely. During this time, the band went through numerous personnel changes, with Martin Fry and Mark White being the only permanent members.

All Time High

"All Time High" is a 1983 single release by Rita Coolidge introduced as the theme song for the James Bond film Octopussy.

Background

"All Time High" marked the return of regular James Bond theme composer John Barry after his absence from the For Your Eyes Only soundtrack. The lyrics were written by Tim Rice and recording and mixing of the track is credited to Stephen Short. The recording of the soundtrack for Octopussy occurred over five days in early April 1983.

The movie's peculiar title negated the possibility of its theme song being based on its title (although Rice would later state: "I think it would have been more interesting if we had tried to write a song called 'Octopussy'"). Instead Barry suggested that Rice submit six potential song titles, and it was from these that "All Time High" was selected. Rice was provided with a copy of the script for Octopussy and also viewed the shooting of some scenes from the movie at Pinewood Studios, Rice visiting Pinewood in mid-December 1982. The completed lyrics for "All Time High" would include the line "We're two of a kind" which in the movie is spoken by the Octopussy (played by Maud Adams) to James Bond (Roger Moore), and the title evidently refers to the key aerial sequences featured in the movie.