Memories of Dan Hartman

Martyn Ware

Martyn Ware was a founding member of both The Human League and Heaven 17 and is one the UK's most successful and in-demand producers, his work includes Terence Trent D'Arby's 'Hardline' album and worked with Dan Hartman on hits for Tina Turner. Martyn has also worked extensively writing music for film, theatre, TV and Radio.

Tell us about when you first met Dan Hartman?

I first worked with Dan on ‘Circle of Light and ‘Shadow Boxing’. Dan had heard about my work with Heaven 17 and was also familiar with the Human League and asked me to work with him because he liked the modern British 'urban sound'. We agreed to meet at Swan Yard, near Highbury Corner in London and I presumed that Dan would bring his own gear along with him - in fact he turned up with nothing as he thought that I would have all the necessary gear! This resulted in a rather ‘chilly atmosphere’ between us but we soon started to get on together exceptionally well.

How did the creative process work between you and Dan?

Well, to start off with Dan seemed a bit reticent about playing the keyboards and expected me to take the lead as the producer. Dan worked in a different way to most producers and we worked together as like minded spirits, rather than by pure direction. We got on together extremely well.

What is your favourite Dan Hartman track?

Although it is a song he performed with the Edgar Winter Group, I'd have to say ‘Frankenstein’ as I love the Galillan Keyboard.

Do you have any amusing anecdotes you could share about Dan?

Dan was fascinated with British culture and loved Indian food, especially when hot and spicy. He said that Indian food was not the same in the USA. I knew a local Indian restaurant and took him along there and, without Dan’s knowledge, we asked the staff to make Dan’s dish extra hot.

During the time Dan tucked into his meal it was plain that the dish was seriously spicy but Dan did not admit that it was too hot for him. He retired to the toilet to take a break from it and we put extra lime pickle on his plate for when he returned to the table.

What’s is you abiding memory of Dan?

A very charming person who I feel never reached his full potential because of his untimely passing.

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