Martin Fry, the mastermind behind '80s band ABC, is teaming up with Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley for a 62-date UK tour. JEMMA DOBSON spoke to Martin Fry, who believes ABC's music is slowly coming back into fashion. . .

ABC were known as one of the bands who moved music forward, kickstarting the '80s with their own brand of pop for a new decade. Fusing dancefloor finesse with a post-punk attitude, they first hit the big time with their single Tears Are Not Enough.

As lead singer of the band, Stockport-born Martin Fry shaped the era with the series of classic hits which rapidly followed, such as The Look of Love, Poison Arrow, How To Be A Millionaire and When Smokey Sings.

Their album Lexicon of Love was, and still is, considered a classic -- and is repeatedly voted one of the best albums of all time.

The Tony Hadley versus Martin Fry Tour promises to be a very different one musically, with a full band and brass section and set ranging from Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and David Bowie to their own catalogue of hits.

In 1998 ABC performed to over 120,000 people at 15 UK arenas with the Culture Club and Human League but this event will be even bigger -- the first of its kind since the '80s.

ABC have recently performed alongside Robbie Williams, hand-picked by the man himself, and after that Martin said the group had been seen as more "trendy".

He said: "It was so amazing to play with Robbie and I think because of that we have a whole new fan base as well with a more modern feel.

"And so, with the fresh followers and our loyal fans who have seen us stick with it as not many bands do -- or can -- I think we are now respected by a lot of people."

With Look of Love nominated for a Best Song Award to mark the Brits' 25th anniversary, Martin believes he and Tony represent for the '80s what Bob Dylan is for the '60s and the Happy Mondays are for the '90s.

He said: "Our group belting out Poison Arrow is simply what the '80s were all about. Us and Spandau Ballet were the big bands at the time and we loved it.

"When the crowd stop enjoying what we do and getting that excitement, that is when I will stop but until then I have got plenty of steam to continue at what I love."

Martin always knew he would be in the music business after working part-time at a factory while studying at university in Sheffield. He knew a factory was no life for him and he first made his name with Sheffield band Visa Versa.

He added: "Apart from the factory job and a paper round, all I have ever done is music. I feel I have been very lucky, though. Music can be a very long apprenticeship and for some they never leave that stage."

The Lexicon of Love was re-released in November with previously unreleased tracks Surrender and Into The Valley Of The Heathen Go.

And last March their DVD Absolute Classic Cuts went to number one in the charts. Another DVD featuring Martin Fry and Tony Hadley will be out in February and will be available on the tour.

Although they were not on the shortlist for the Brits this week, ABC are creeping back into the limelight with performances all over the world and could soon again be top of the pops with an expected sell-out tour.

Martin Fry and Tony Hadley will be at Blackburn's King George's Hall on March 31. For tickets, priced from £18.50, contact the the box office on 01254 582582.