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Electronically Yours

Vol. I: My Autobiography

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Electronically Yours

By: Martyn Ware
Narrated by: Martyn Ware
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About this listen

This is a music autobiography to remember. This is the story of Martyn Ware.

The Human League and Heaven 17 were among some of the most pioneering bands of the 1980s, with Ware having played an integral role in each of their numerous successes. A young lad from the heart of post-war Sheffield, Ware formed The Human League a few years out of school in his early twenties. Described by David Bowie as 'the future of music', it wasn't long before the band become known for their innovative and infectiously catchy singles such as 'Being Boiled', touring with the likes of Siouxsie and the Banshees and Iggy Pop before Ware's departure. Heaven 17 followed suit, with their soon-to-be classic albums, Penthouse & Pavement and The Luxury Gap, featuring several colossal hits. Ground-breaking icons in new wave and synth pop, both groups remain some of the biggest-selling bands across the UK and worldwide.

In Electronically Yours, Martyn takes us through his incredible route to stardom; from his austere upbringing in various council houses and close teenage friendship with former-bandmate Phil Oakey, to the white-hot experimentation in the 'Synth Britannia' era and his production career, which allowed him to work with some of the world's greatest singers, including Tina Turner. But it's not just his life inside the industry which is compelling; a proud socialist, Martyn writes poignantly about politics—how it can be a soulful, personal, moral duty—and its role in his music creation and Britain today. With charming meditations on culture, humour, travel and sport, Martyn also shares his love of '60s films, explains why Venice is the most beautiful city in the world, and reveals how Sheffield Wednesday has forever been his first and eternal passion.

Electronically Yours sees Martyn talk candidly for the very first time about his extraordinary journey. Discover amusing anecdotes, raw confessions and moving reflections of a life well and truly lived at the height of the music industry.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Martyn Ware (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK
Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Biography

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All stars
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Technically detailed and brilliantly narrated by Martyn himself, gripped from the very off as I was immersed into the world of the music industry and the legend and history made by him and his comrades .. cannot wait for Vol2 - thank you Martyn and co.

An absolute gem of music legend and history

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Very revealing and reflective life story of a guy I have been fascinated with for decades H17 one my favourite bands of all time Can’t wait to listen to Vol 2 get writing Martyn !

Interesting story from a great bloke

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Bought this on a whim in an Audible sale. I was a big fan of The Human League in their early days and continued to enjoy the two groups which emerged when the original line up split (British Electric Foundation and The Human League).

One fact that I’d never appreciated was that Martyn Ware was effectively thrown out of The Human League and did not leave voluntarily, also that Ian Craig Marsh was originally slated to stay with the League but spontaneously decided to stick with Martyn. Things worked out well for all parties but it was a traumatic moment in Martyn’s life and he relates it all well.

This first volume of Martyn’s autobiography is definitely worth a read for anyone interested in the history of electronic music, British Electric Foundation, and The Human League.

Martyn’s life pre-fame is very interesting. I always enjoy childhood reminiscences and his life in working class Sheffield during the 60s and 70s is full of interest. It’s not just music either, Martyn share memories and opinions on popular culture, travel, football and specifically Sheffield Wednesday FC.

Two important points: in what world do we need contributions from various associates (“The View From Without”) who all laud Martyn’s many fine qualities and all conclude he’s a great guy? And Martyn fails to address the elephant in the room, why did he stick with that appalling beard and centre parting combo for so many years?

There’s a little too much technical information for my level of interest and the pompous Partridge-esque style rankled sporadically, but this is just nitpicking as overall I really enjoyed it. Definitely one for the fans though.

Volume Two is coming at some point, that really will be one for the hardcore fans.

One for the fans

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What a great listen. Thrillingly entertaining from start to finish. Finally the truth about the split!!!!
Martyn”s delivery is superb and perfectly sums up the period.

All i can say is thank god he and Ian left Human League- the world would be a poorer place without Penthouse And Pavement

Utterly Brilliant

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The understated, yet very human and detailed biography of a man whose influence on modern music deserves far more public acknowledgment than has been forthcoming so far. Musicians and technicians know the truth & this autobiography should be read by anyone with an interest in music over the last 50 years. Even more pleasingly the narration is delivered with the drole, un-starry, BS-free humour of one of Sheffield’s finest (despite this review being from an admiring but admittedly soft Southerner!). If you ever listened to Reproduction or Penthouse & Pavement (or found yourself tapping your fingers on the table to any electronic music) then this is a must-listen.

Drole, honest, engaging & enjoyable

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