Frankie Goes to Hollywood
| Company type | Pop group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Liverpool, England |
| Founder | Holly Johnson |
| Headquarters | Liverpool , England |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Frankie Goes to Hollywood was a pop group originating from Liverpool in 1980, comprising Holly Johnson (lead vocals), Paul Rutherford (backing vocals), Mark O'Toole (bass guitar), Brian Nash (guitar), and Peter Gill (drums). Johnson and Rutherford were pioneers among openly gay performers in the pop scene, with the band's work frequently exploring themes related to gay rights and sexual identity.
After signing with ZTT Records in 1983, their debut album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1984), produced by Trevor Horn, secured over a million advance orders. Their initial trio of singles—"[Relax (song)|Relax]]", "Two Tribes", and "The Power of Love"—each reached the top position on the UK singles chart. The BBC temporarily banned some of their songs due to controversial content, which in turn heightened public interest. Journalist Paul Lester remarked in 2014 that "no band has dominated a 12-month period like Frankie ruled 1984".
The songwriting team of Johnson, Gill, and O'Toole received the 1984 Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically for "Two Tribes". In 1985, the band was honored with the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act and garnered nominations for Best New Artist at both the Grammy Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards.
Their sophomore album, Liverpool (1986), failed to replicate their earlier commercial success, culminating in a bitter split in 1987. Johnson successfully litigated to terminate his contract with ZTT and embarked on a solo career. He opposed reunions and sought to restrict the band's use of its name. In 2004, Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunited without Johnson and Nash for a charity event organized by the Prince's Trust, featuring Ryan Molloy as vocalist, followed by a tour in 2005. The original lineup including Johnson and Nash came together again in 2023 to perform at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
1980–1982: Formation
The band Frankie Goes to Hollywood was established in Liverpool in 1980. Frontman Holly Johnson, formerly part of Big in Japan, initially assembled a lineup including musician Ambrose Reynolds, but this formation quickly dissolved. The group's name was inspired by an advertisement promoting Frank Sinatra's first film appearance.
In 1982, Johnson reassembled the band with drummer Peter Gill alongside brothers Mark (bass) and Jed O'Toole (guitar). Jed departed prior to 1983 and was succeeded by cousin Brian Nash. The trio of O'Toole, Nash, and Gill became known as the Lads. Their debut performance took place at Liverpool's Pickwick's pub, where they incorporated dancer and backing vocalist Paul Rutherford. Drawing inspiration from local acts such as Echo & the Bunnymen and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Johnson sought to fuse punk energy with disco rhythms while adopting a provocative aesthetic influenced by groups like the Sex Pistols.
1983–1984: "Relax", "Two Tribes" and success
In February 1983, Frankie Goes to Hollywood made an appearance on Channel 4's The Tube, dressed in fetish-inspired outfits designed to capture industry attention. Although record labels were initially hesitant, they became the inaugural signing of ZTT Records, co-founded by producer Trevor Horn. Horn was drawn to their bold sexual image, and Johnson prioritized collaborating with him over other offers.
Their first single, "Relax", released in October 1983, showcased Horn’s electronic production style utilizing drum machines and Fairlight synthesizers. The accompanying provocative video set in an S&M club initially saw modest sales but gained traction following a Top of the Pops performance. The BBC banned the track for its explicit content, which ironically increased its rebellious allure; it then held the number one spot on the UK singles chart for five weeks and earned the 1985 Brit Award for Best British Single.
ZTT co-founder Paul Morley initiated an innovative promotional campaign featuring slogan T-shirts such as "Frankie say relax," inspired by Katharine Hamnett’s designs. These shirts became a lucrative merchandise item, outselling singles at certain retailers with over 250,000 units sold by December 1984.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood appeared briefly in Brian De Palma's 1984 thriller Body Double. In June that year, their second single "Two Tribes" was released; it featured a heavy bassline paired with lyrics reflecting Cold War tensions. Its video received heavy rotation on MTV and depicted a symbolic confrontation between Ronald Reagan and Konstantin Chernenko. The single dominated UK charts for nine consecutive weeks. Remarkably, Frankie simultaneously held both number one and two positions when "Relax" re-entered at number two in August.
1984–1985: Welcome to the Pleasuredome
Frankie Goes to Hollywood launched their first album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome, in October 1984, which included chart-topping singles such as "Relax" and "Two Tribes" and achieved pre-release sales of one million units. Their third single, the ballad "The Power of Love", secured the number one spot on UK charts in December. This feat positioned them as the second act ever to have their initial three singles reach number one, a record that stood until the Spice Girls surpassed it with six consecutive chart-toppers between 1996 and 1997. By 2014, "Relax" and "Two Tribes" were ranked sixth and twenty-second among the UK's best-selling singles.
In 1985, Frankie Goes to Hollywood earned the Brit Award for British Breakthrough Act. During the wave of the Second British Invasion in the United States, they received nominations for Best New Artist at both the 27th Annual Grammy Awards and the 1985 MTV Video Music Awards. Their fourth single, "Welcome to the Pleasuredome", peaked at number two in March 1985. That year also saw Ocean Software release a Frankie Goes to Hollywood themed video game for systems including the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum, incorporating elements related to the band into its gameplay.
1985–1986: Liverpool and decline
By late 1984, Johnson had begun distancing himself from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, concentrating on his new manager and partner, Wolfgang Kuhle. The band moved to Ireland in 1985 for tax purposes and started composing their sophomore album amid reports of internal conflicts. Recording sessions took place at Wisseloord Studios near Amsterdam in November 1985 and continued at ZTT's Sarm West studio in London from March through June 1986. Produced by ZTT engineer Stephen Lipson with final mixing handled by Horn, the album reflected a stylistic shift toward rock that Johnson opposed. Jill Sinclair, co-founder of ZTT, later indicated that Johnson was largely uncooperative during these sessions. Despite offers from artists like Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon and Pete Wylie to replace him, Johnson completed work on Liverpool.
The lead single "Rage Hard", released in August 1986, reached number four on UK charts. The album followed in October, peaking at number five but was met with unfavorable reviews and dwindling sales. Later singles "Warriors of the Wasteland" and "Watching the Wildlife" charted lower. Horn invested roughly £50,000 into remixing these tracks. By March 1988, Liverpool had sold approximately 800,000 copies.
1987–1988: disbandment and lawsuit
Tensions escalated during the Liverpool tour, culminating in a backstage confrontation between Johnson and O'Toole prior to a January concert at Wembley Arena. Johnson accused ZTT of sowing discord within the group; Sinclair attributed internal resentment to Kuhle's influence. Nash recalled that by tour’s end it was evident that fractured relationships meant the band’s dissolution was imminent. Their final show took place on 1 March 1987 in Rotterdam.
In July 1987, Johnson declared his intention to leave and sign with MCA Records. ZTT sought an injunction citing contractual clauses that bound members even after departure. The resulting legal dispute revolved around ZTT’s assertion that their production and marketing efforts were fundamental to the band's success versus Johnson’s allegations of financial mismanagement and trade restraint. The High Court ruled in favor of Johnson in 1988, freeing all members from their contractual obligations. Horn later described pursuing litigation as "foolish," while Johnson criticized ZTT for what he saw as arrogance.
After the split, Nash, O'Toole, and Gill attempted to relaunch Frankie Goes to Hollywood with new vocalist Grant Boult under London Records; however, Johnson blocked this effort due to concerns it would damage their legacy.
1989–present: individual endeavors
In 1989, Johnson embarked on a solo path with MCA, achieving a chart-topping release with the album Blast. However, his subsequent album, Dreams That Money Can't Buy (1991), did not achieve commercial success. Following an HIV diagnosis that same year, he retreated from the spotlight to prioritize his health. He authored his autobiography, A Bone in My Flute, in 1994, and subsequently produced additional albums while undertaking studies at the Royal College of Art.
Nash resumed work as an electrician and joined Swanyard Records to record music as part of the group Low. He later transitioned into roles as a wedding and funeral celebrant and acted as a guide for Liverpool music heritage tours. In 2012, he published his memoir titled Nasher Says Relax. O'Toole relocated to Los Angeles to focus on songwriting before moving to Florida. Gill toured with a band led by an Australian soap opera actor and established the music production enterprise Love Station, releasing singles that featured vocalists such as Lisa Hunt.
Rutherford issued a cover of Chic’s "I Want Your Love" along with the album Oh World in 1989; both releases failed to gain traction. In 1991, he collaborated with Pressure Zone on the track "That Moon", worked as a stylist for various bands, and appeared in music videos for artists including Annie Lennox and Michael Jackson. Eventually, he settled in New Zealand.
1998–2000: unauthorized American tribute group
In 1998, a band falsely using the Frankie Goes to Hollywood name toured the United States. This group was fronted by an American who claimed to be Holly Johnson’s brother and alleged uncredited contributor to Welcome to the Pleasuredome. Horn and original members refuted these assertions. O'Toole warned promoters against engaging this impostor ensemble.
Mike Score of Flock of Seagulls, a Liverpool associate, intervened by removing them from his tour lineup. After Johnson publicly confirmed their illegitimacy through Pollstar, they lost significant bookings but continued performing at smaller venues across the southern U.S. The incident was highlighted in a 2000 article by Spin. That year also saw ZTT issue the Frankie Goes to Hollywood greatest-hits collection Maximum Joy, featuring remixes from artists like Apollo 440.
2003–2007: reunion activities, performances with Ryan Molloy, and legal disputes over trademark
Frankie Goes to Hollywood briefly reunited in Holloway, London during a 2003 episode of the VH1 series Bands Reunited, although they did not perform. Johnson expressed dissatisfaction with the reunion, labeling it a "debacle," while Nash described the event as a "circus" that cast Johnson in an unfavorable light.
On 11 November 2004, the band reconvened without Johnson and Nash for a charity concert supporting the Prince's Trust at Wembley Arena, commemorating producer Horn's 25-year career milestone. Both Johnson and Nash declined participation; Nash endorsed the event and observed from the audience. Following open auditions held in London, Ryan Molloy was selected as lead vocalist, with Jed O'Toole stepping in for Nash.
The Wembley performance received praise for its vigor from PopMatters, though critiques from The Independent and The Guardian described it as lackluster, citing the band's studio-focused style. Both Nash and Horn acknowledged Molloy’s capabilities as frontman.
Subsequent to Wembley, the band toured several European venues in 2005, including appearances at events such as the Northampton Balloon Festival and London's Big Gay Out. In 2006, Molloy composed new material for the group; however, these tracks were never released and a planned European tour was canceled. The ensemble continued performing until 2007 under the name Forbidden Hollywood due to Johnson withholding permission for use of the original band name.
In April 2004, Johnson filed an attempt to trademark Frankie Goes to Hollywood exclusively, asserting intellectual property rights based on an earlier band affiliation. Other members contested this claim, and in 2007 an Intellectual Property Office adjudicator denied registration, determining that Johnson acted in bad faith to obstruct performances without his involvement.
2011–2023: reissues, reunion with Johnson and film
In 2011, ZTT Records released an expanded version of Liverpool alongside The Art of the 12", a compilation album showcasing various ZTT artists, including Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Later, in 2017, Universal Music took over ZTT's catalog, which encompassed the works of Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
On 7 May 2023, Frankie Goes to Hollywood reunited with Johnson and Nash for a special Liverpool concert honoring the Eurovision Song Contest. Their set featured "Welcome to the Pleasuredome," marking their first live appearance since 1987. Although the performance was well-received, some attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the brief, single-song presentation. The Telegraph awarded the event three out of five stars, praising Johnson’s commanding stage presence but critiquing the short duration. Meanwhile, the BBC highlighted that both the band and their music retained a captivating and fresh quality. By 2025, Johnson revealed that plans for further reunions had diminished.
On 10 May 2023, Working Title Films announced they were developing a biographical film about Frankie Goes to Hollywood titled Relax, inspired by Johnson’s autobiography. Bernard Rose, who directed the original "Relax" video, is set to direct the project, with Callum Scott Howells cast in the role of Johnson.
Style and legacy
Both Johnson and Rutherford have been openly gay throughout their careers, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood prominently featured themes of gay rights and sexuality in their music and performances. Alongside bands such as Bronski Beat, they were associated with the emergence of gay culture in 1980s Britain. Morley observed that Frankie fused Johnson and Rutherford’s "exploratory gay energy" with the "heterosexual scouse energy" brought by other members. Bernard Rose, who directed their initial "Relax" video, described them as the first openly gay major pop group—predating artists like Boy George, George Michael, Freddie Mercury, and Elton John—and noted their impact sent a cultural "shockwave."
As their fame increased, some media outlets depicted them as a manufactured act under ZTT’s control. A 1984 article in the Washington Post likened them to "a modern-day Monkees, a post-punk Village People born from junk culture." Since only Johnson performed on the studio recording of "Relax," and they did not tour extensively during their peak years, doubts arose about their musical abilities. Johnson responded by emphasizing that the media often undervalued their input. Producer Trevor Horn explained that British music press frequently misunderstood studio production techniques but stressed the band’s authentic talent on songs like "The Power of Love," "Born to Run," and "Krisco Kisses" from Welcome to the Pleasuredome.
In 2014, journalist Paul Lester referred to Frankie Goes to Hollywood as "arguably the last great British pop sensation," although few later artists cited them as an influence due to the difficulty in replicating their commercial success. Morley pointed out that despite producing two of the decade’s most successful albums, they became somewhat forgotten—highlighting their distinctive position as a "contorted, profound novelty band." Nonetheless, he credited them with revolutionizing mainstream pop marketing through more artistic packaging and pioneering music videos.
Personnel
- Holly Johnson – lead vocals (1980–1987, 2023)
- Mark O'Toole – bass guitar, backing vocals (1981–1987, 2004–2007, 2023)
- Peter Gill – drums and percussion (1981–1987, 2004–2007, 2023)
- Jed O'Toole – guitar, backing vocals (1981–1982, 2004–2007)
- Paul Rutherford – vocals, keyboards, tambourine (1982–1987, 2004–2007, 2023)
- Brian Nash – guitar, backing vocals (1982–1987, 2023)
- Ryan Molloy – lead vocals (2004–2007)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Ivor Novello Awards | "Two Tribes" | Best Song Musically And Lyrically | |
| NME Awards | Best Promotional Video | |||
| Welcome to the Pleasuredome | Best Dressed Sleeve | |||
| "Relax" | Best Single | |||
| 1985 | Ivor Novello Awards | Best Contemporary Song | ||
| Brit Awards | Best British Single | |||
| The band | Best British Newcomer | |||
| Best British Group | ||||
| Welcome to the Pleasuredome | Best British Album | |||
| "Two Tribes" | Best British Single | |||
| MTV Video Music Awards | Best New Artist | |||
| Best Concept Video | ||||
| Pollstar Concert Industry Awards | The band | Most Likely to Successfully Headline Arenas in 1985 | ||
| 1986 | Tour | Small Hall/Club Tour of the Year | ||
| 2010 | Q Awards | "Relax" | Classic Song |
Discography
Concert tours
External links |
- Articles with short description
- Brit Award winners
- English pop music groups
- English hi-NRG groups
- English disco groups
- English new wave musical groups
- English musical quintets
- English dance-rock musical groups
- LGBTQ-themed musical groups
- Musical groups established in 1980
- Musical groups disestablished in 1987
- Musical groups reestablished in 2000
- Musical groups disestablished in 2007
- Musical groups reestablished in 2023
- Musical groups from Liverpool
- Scouse culture of the early 1980s
- Island Records artists
- ZTT Records artists
- English synth-pop groups
- Dance-pop groups
- 1980 establishments in England
- Second British Invasion artists