About Martyn Ware
Martyn was born in 1956 in Sheffield. He formed the Human League in 1978, leaving in 1980 to found multimillion-selling acts Heaven 17 and British Electric Foundation. As a record producer and artist he has featured on recordings totalling over 50 million sales worldwide during a 43-year career to date. Heaven 17 and BEF continue to tour worldwide and thrive.
Martyn founded Illustrious Co. Ltd. with Vince Clarke in 2000 to exploit the creative and commercial possibilities of their unique 3DAudioScape immersive sound technology in collaboration with fine artists, the performing arts, and corporate clients around the world. He lectures extensively and is Principal of Tileyard Education teaching MA courses, and curates, produces, and presents a wide range of world-class arts events. He also hosts a popular podcast series Electronically Yours with Martyn Ware. Martyn has DJ’d his electronic and funk influences all over the world, and has recently published his autobiography, ‘Electronically Yours Vol 1’
Awards + Honoraries
Martyn is a Visiting Professor at Queen Mary College, University of London, and a member of BAFTA. He is an Honorary Doctor of Music at University of Sheffield, Honarary DSc at University Of London.
Martyn has received The Ivors Academy Gold Badge, is a member of the Ivors Ambassador’s Council and a Patron of the PRS Members’ Fund.
Martyn is the first ambassador of the international charity In Place Of War. He is also proud to be an international activist, helping to fight for the rights of creators and under-represented people worldwide.
Illustrious Latest Projects
Latest Electronically Yours Podcast
Latest Press
Heaven 17
Heaven 17 are an electronic synth pop and New Wave band founded in Sheffield, England, UK. Once part of another electronic (Sheffield) band, The Human League, Ian Craig Marsh and Martyn Ware decided to form their own band. They took on board lead vocalist Glenn Gregory and shortly after released their first single ‘(We Don’ t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang’ (1981).