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Electronically Yours
- Vol. I: My Autobiography
- Narrated by: Martyn Ware
- Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
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Electronically Yours
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Summary
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.
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What listeners say about Electronically Yours
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- MR DEAN THOMAS
- 28-11-22
Interesting story from a great bloke
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 !
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 25-03-23
Really interesting and well told
Especially for lovers of early Human League.
Very enlightening of you don't know much about his other successes. I really enjoyed it
Others' contributions would be better read by them.
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- T. Drury
- 20-04-23
A fascinating look at a varied career
A wonderfully detailed look back on the career of this highly talented author. You may know him from Human League or Heaven 17 but his creativity spans way more than that. Looking forward to Volume 2.
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- Anonymous User
- 25-08-22
Best book I’ve listened to in many years!!!
Do yourself a favour buy this book if you are interested in the music business through the eyes of a working class boy who worked his arse off. Its a honest to goodness read. I am a big fan of early Human League and an even bigger fan of Heaven 17 and Martyn pulls the curtain back and let us see the guts of the business… and that’s no lie ( in house Heaven 17 line).
Highly recommended
Thankyou Martyn
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- Chris
- 24-09-23
Interesting but dry!
Interesting story but a little dry in places with statistics about the process of recording and production.
Martin can be a little big headed at times, overall I enjoyed it.
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- Lord Emsworth
- 10-03-23
One for the fans
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.
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- Lee Guest
- 08-12-22
Band Aid was 1984…
…Apart from this one error, it’s everything I was hoping for and more. Thank you for the brutal honesty and entertaining tales. Here’s hoping volume two won’t be too far off. If you enjoy his music or not this is an entertaining journey nonetheless through the music industry of the late twentieth century. HL, H17 & BEF fans will love it even more.
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- Chris
- 15-09-22
Utterly Brilliant
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
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- Anonymous User
- 16-12-22
Fascinating
This is a fascinating story, sometimes Martyn comes over as a bit self important but, nevertheless, he has achieved a lot and is a true pioneer of electronic music.
I was always disappointed that Heaven 17 didn’t receive the recognition and commercial success that other artists of the time did and this book explains the trials and tribulations of the time.
I had no idea of his achievements as a producer.
I was delighted when Temptation got a second hit in the early 90’s.
Now I have to wait for Volume 2 to complete the story!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 16-09-22
Excellent Book!
Like Martyn's podcast, it's full of really interesting and inspiring stories. Tribute to Ian Craig Marsh was particularly moving. Looking forward to volume 2 🙂
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