Sony/ATV Signs ABC's Martin Fry To Worldwide Publishing, Neighboring Rights Deals

Martin Fry

SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING has signed a worldwide deal with ABC songwriter and lead vocalist MARTIN FRY to represent the BRITISH band’s extensive back catalog and their 2016 Top 10 album.

The agreement covers FRY and the group’s string of pop hits such as “The Look Of Love," “Poison Arrow," “All Of My Heart” and “When Smokey Sings," while also including all his compositions on ABC’s 2016 album "The Lexicon Of Love II," which debuted Top 5 in the U.K. following its release in MAY.

Besides the new publishing deal covering ABC’s songs, SONY/ATV will additionally handle the group’s neighboring rights related to their sound recordings whenever they are commercially exploited in outlets, including radio and TV airplay or a public performance.

SONY/ATV SVP A&R/Catalog FRAN MALYAN said: “MARTIN has such a gift for writing and performing and he continues to deliver after all these years. I am immensely honoured to work with him and represent his entire catalog.”

Added FRY: “It’s a real pleasure to be working alongside FRAN once again. In fact, the whole team here are at SONY/ATV are truly an inspiration. I’ve been writing songs for 30 years now. I can’t stop. I guess I’m still searching for the perfect beat.”

ABC formed in SHEFFIELD in northeast ENGLAND in 1980 and became one of the most acclaimed and commercially successful acts of the decade. Fronted by FRY, they initially broke through with debut single “Tears Are Not Enough," while the next three singles “Poison Arrow," “The Look Of Love” and “All Of My Heart” all made the U.K. Top 10.

The four singles were all included on the group’s 1982 introductory album "The Lexicon Of Love," which was co-produced by TREVOR HORN and reached #1 in the U.K. Following its release, ABC have recorded eight further studio albums, while added to their list of classic singles with hits such as “When Smokey Sings," “That Was Then This Is Now” and “(How To Be A) Millionaire."

In the three decades since the release of their first album, ABC have remained an essential live attraction around the world, drawing on the enduring popularity of their wealth of treasured hits. Last year, FRY and the group returned to the studio to make what became "The Lexicon Of Love II," their first album of new songs in eight years and the long-awaited sequel to their debut set.

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