10 Average Questions about Heaven 17

Answer: 1980s

Heaven 17 was founded in 1980 by two former members of The Human League. It was in this decade the group had most of its success. In addition, the group also founded British Electric Foundation, a production company that help produce songs for such artistes as Tina Turner, Hank Marvin and Gary Glitter.

Answer: Three

When founded, Heaven 17 contained three members, Ian Craig Marsh, Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory - who ironically was first choice as front man for The Human League, when Marsh and Ware were part of that band.

Answer: A Clockwork Orange

Heaven 17 got their name from a fictional band mentioned in Anthony Burgess' novel, "A Clockwork Orange". The line that came from Burgess' book went as follows, "where The Heaven Seventeen are at number four in the charts with "Inside".

Answer: Sheffield

Heaven 17 formed in Sheffield, which was also where groups such as ABC, Def Leppard, Living in a Box and Moloko also formed, the later like Heaven 17 taking inspiration for their name from, "A Clockwork Orange", after the milk that the characters Alex and his gang the Droogs drank at the Korova Milk Bar featured in the book.

Answer: Penthouse and Pavements

"Penthouse and Pavements" was released in 1981 reaching number 14 in the UK album charts. This album was re-titled, "Heaven 17" for its release in the USA. This version was re-worked with three tracks replacing three that were on the "Penthouse and Pavement" album.

Answer: (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang

Released in 1981, "(We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang" was only a minor hit for Heaven 17 in the UK, reaching number 45 in the UK charts. Ironically given its anti Ronald Reagan references, the song did better in the USA, reaching number 29 in the Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart.

Answer: Temptation

Released in 1983, "Temptation" featured guest vocal from Carol Kenyon - a well known session musician. "Temptation", reached number two in the UK charts, whilst the, "Brothers in Rhythm" remix of the song reached number four in the UK charts in 1992.

Answer: True

As part of the British Electric Foundation (BEF), Heaven 17 worked with Tina Turner in 1983 in producing her cover version of the Al Green song, "Let's Stay Together". In addition, Heaven 17 also provided backing vocals on the song.

Answer: Ian Craig Marsh

In 2007, Ian Craig Marsh decided to leave the band in order to pursue a degree in psychology. Martyn Ware and Glenn Gregory still tour occasionally.

Answer: True

Released in 1984, "The Luxury Gap" gained Heaven 17 a platinum disc in the UK for obtaining sales of over 300,000, reaching number four in the album charts. This album contained the singles "Crushed by the Wheel of Industry", "Let Me Go", and, "Temptation" - that was only on the UK/Europe version of the album.

The album was re-mastered in 2006, and released with extended versions of some of the original album tracks.

The platinum disc for "The Luxury Gap" represented their greatest success as a band.