From Pleasuredome to Liverpool...
Frankie Goes To Hollywood were the most exciting new band of 1984. I know this because as a teenager growing up in a small Midlands town it was a revelation. Their music was an exciting mix of dance, pop, electronica which gave the 80's (and the town of Newark) the big kick it needed. They had attitude, imagery and lyrics that shocked my parents & Radio 1 DJ's.
Fast forward to July 2011 and I'm interviewing Holly Johnson in the studios of that very same radio station that first banned his music and which helped kick start Frankie mania. Holly is an absolute gentleman, looks amazing in his 50+ years and is still clearly still very passionate about pop music. We're here to talk about the difficult second album Liverpool which has just celebrated it's 25th anniversary with an updated re-release. It was a period of turmoil for Holly - both personally and professionally. As a front man he was thinking and living in different ways to the rest of the his band and record label ZTT. Holly wanted their second album to be more electronic while the rest of Frankie wanted to go rock as they felt they needed to prove they were real musicians and not the puppets of producer/label boss Trevor Horn. By the time Liverpool had been released Holly was looking to leave his record company and split Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
This Friday night from 8pm on Edith Bowman's Album Show you'll hear Holly exclusively talking about the making of Liverpool and why it was such a hard time for him. Although it was a difficult period, Holly talks about the album with pride and passion, an amazing insight into the next chapter of the incredible Frankie Goes To Hollywood story. He also shares his own recommendations of the new music that he's been enjoying and a classic album he couldn't live without.
We'll also hear from a member of the first act to be signed to ZTT. Gary Langan formed Art Of Noise and was also a successful record producer of the 80s and 90s. Gary describes how working with Malcolm McLaren inspired him to create the unique style and sounds of those Art Of Noise albums.
It might be the last in the series but Edith still has plenty of new recommendations for your music collection with tracks from the 50's to present day. We hope you'll be listening Friday night at 8.05pm or repeated Sunday night at 10.05pm or to quote a lost 80s T Shirt slogan....Frankie Says Relax, Do It.
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