A Long Walk With… Holly Johnson

In this brand new series for Radio 2, Janice Long talks in depth to some of the most interesting music stars, as they walk through important places in their lives.

The series starts with Holly Johnson, one of the most era-defining pop stars Janice has had the pleasure to know. The Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman and solo artist has graced the televisions, radios, book shelves and bestselling charts of the world for decades.

Holly takes listeners on his own magical mystery tour from the local church where he sang as a choirboy, through the streets where he delivered papers, over the Mystery Park to Penny Lane while listeners hear The Beatles, David Bowie, The Human League, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and T-Rex, among others.

Holly and Janice also pass through the part of Liverpool where he first walked along an avenue humming the song that would become Relax. Holly also visits the Everyman Theatre, where he auditioned as a young man, plus the Cavern Club and Erics, where he performed with Big In Japan, alongside his contemporaries like Echo & The Bunnymen and Ian Brodie.

The programme will see Holly share fascinating anecdotes and memories about the Fab Four, Joe Meek, the Liverpool Empire, Bob Wooler, Alan Williams, The Silver Blades Ice Rink & Disco, Pete Burns and Jayne Casey, as they affected his life.

Presenter: Janice Long
Producer: Mark Simpson for the BBC

Publicity contact: BBC Radio 2 Publicity