Heaven 17

Heaven 17, an influential electronic synth-pop and New Wave band, made an immediate impact with their debut single ‘(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang’ in 1981. Formed in 1980 by Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware, formerly of The Human League, alongside lead vocalist Glenn Gregory, the band quickly released their debut album, ‘Penthouse and Pavement’, which achieved No. 14 on the UK Albums Chart that same year. Their commercial success continued into the mid-1980s, highlighted by their signature hit ‘Temptation,’ which soared to number 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1983.

In 1984, the band reunited with Phil Oakey for the soundtrack of the film ‘Electric Dreams.’ Under their British Electric Foundation (B.E.F.) guise, founding members Ware and Marsh produced Tina Turner’s international hit ‘Let’s Stay Together’ in the mid-1980s, further showcasing their production prowess. The band continued to evolve its sound and catalogue, releasing ‘Higher and Higher: the Very Best of Heaven 17’ in 1993 and ‘Bigger Than America’ in 1996. Their enduring hit ‘Temptation’ saw renewed success with the Brothers in Rhythm remix, reaching No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart in 1992, demonstrating the timeless appeal of their music.

Heaven 17 continues to perform and tour, captivating audiences with their innovative synth-pop sound and an enduring catalog of hit singles and albums, solidifying their position as pioneers in the New Wave genre.