Written By Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
Frankie Goes to Hollywood will reunite after an extremely lengthy absence. In fact, the Liverpool, England band split up in 1987. Frankie Goes to Hollywood will perform at the Big Eurovision Welcome show in Liverpool next month.
Although ridiculed by some rock purists as cheesy, Eurovision seems somehow appropriate for Frankie Goes to Hollywood, a New Wave group who had no issues incorporating campy, over-the-top imagery in their classic videos.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood formed in Liverpool in 1980. They were an integral part of the city’s post-punk scene which included bands like the Teardrop Explodes, the Wild Swans, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Of the local talent, Frankie Goes to Hollywood had a decidedly more commercial sound. Thus, the band broke through the alternative underground and onto both the U.K. and U.S. pop charts.
Their first single, “Relax,” took them to the top in England in 1984. But not without controversy. Then again, that’s a large reason for its eventual rise. It sold over two million copies in England thanks to its sexually suggestive lyrics and homoerotic marketing.
Needless to say, BBC Radio was not amused and banned it from the airwaves.
Naturally, it made the song more popular.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood To Reunite After Extremely Long Break
Image: Frankie Goes to Hollywood
The initial music video for “Relax” was set in a S&M-flavored gay nightclub with macho men in leather and a drag queen; indeed, it would shock conservative groups in America in the present day. Thus, it hasn’t dated whatsoever. The track landed at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Since then, “Relax” has become a staple on ’80s radio programs and classic alternative radio stations in America.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s second single, “Two Tribes,” received more attention on MTV with its satirical Cold War music video.
The clip featured actors portraying President Ronald Reagan and Konstantin Chernenko of the Communist Party.
FGTH’s pop fame was somewhat brief. They only released two albums – 1984’s Welcome to the Pleasuredome and 1986’s relative disappointment Liverpool.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood To Reunite After Extremely Long Break
Image: Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Still, FGTH’s music continue to be landmarks in ’80s nostalgia.
Their influence could be heard in contemporary acts such as the Killers and Scissor Sisters.
Hopefully, they’ll stay together for a new LP.