Frankie Goes to Hollywood: reviews, bio and works

The Profile

Frankie Goes to Hollywood are a British new wave/synth-pop band from Liverpool. They broke through in 1984 with three consecutive UK No. 1 singles—Relax, Two Tribes and The Power of Love—and the blockbuster debut album Welcome to the Pleasuredome on ZTT with Trevor Horn’s production. A second album, Liverpool, followed before the band split in 1987.

Formed in Liverpool, England; classic lineup: Holly Johnson (vocals), Paul Rutherford (vocals/keys), Brian Nash (guitar), Mark O'Toole (bass), Peter Gill (drums). Signed to ZTT Records; closely associated with producer Trevor Horn. 'Relax' was famously banned by the BBC yet reached UK No. 1; 'Two Tribes' and 'The Power of Love' also hit UK No. 1 in 1984. Debut album: Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1984); follow-up: Liverpool (1986).

Reviews celebrate the explosive debut Welcome to the Pleasuredome for its genre-mixing ambition and production muscle, while noting Liverpool as a solid but lesser follow-up. Compilations like Frankie Say Greatest earn praise for remastering quality. The band’s provocative image, ZTT/Trevor Horn sheen, and 1984 run of massive singles define the narrative. Breakup after the second album closes the arc.

Notable Quotes

❝ Frankie Say Greatest is a shrewd commercial move.

❝ The change of pace is clear, a sudden farewell to the extravagances and fun antics of Relaxiana in favor of a more linear sound, eight nervously rock tracks that, however, don't leave much room for imagination.

❝ With this record, 'Frankie Goes To Hollywood' quickly climbed the world charts, shattering some records, and established themselves as a new phenomenon in the pop-rock scene of the 80s (years that absolutely need reevaluation).