ABC was formed in 1980 in Sheffield, England after Martin Fry, a music journalist, interviewed the band Vice Versa for his fanzine Modern Drugs. They adopted Fry as lead vocalist and changed their name to ABC.

The revamped band were pigeon-holed as part of the New Romantic movement of the time, which included the likes of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. The band would offer many stylistic spins within its career and perhaps they are better labeled as Northern Soul, their obvious inspiration and the most universal element to influence all of their offerings.

Perhaps the most distinguishing fact is the band's non-ominous use of synthesizers. Ominous, discordant, or minor-keyed synthesizer parts were something that would unite the majority of true New Romantic bands. Also, ABC from the very beginning incorporated a predominate funk and soul sound into their compositions.

ABC was profiled in a 2004 documentary about bands hailing from Sheffield in the late 1970s-to-early 1980s. Original ABC saxophone player Stephen Singleton was interviewed for "Made In Sheffield," along with members of the Human League, Heaven 17, and others.

In 2004, the VH1 show Bands Reunited attempted to get the line-up of Martin Fry, David Palmer, Stephen Singleton and Mark White together for a reunion concert. Martin Fry and David Palmer appeared and played together for the first time in over twenty years. Singleton and White opted not to participate.

Fry still tours as ABC, often in conjunction with other 1980s nostalgia or revival acts. ABC performed a set with other 1980s acts at Retro Fest on 1st September 2007 at Culzean Castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. This appearance included a rendition of "Addicted to Love" with Tony Hadley and Peter Cox of Go West.