Eurovision 2023: Frankie Goes To Hollywood to reunite for first performance in 36 years
nme.comFrankie Goes To Hollywood will reunite to open the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, performing with its classic line-up for the first time since 1987 in the band’s hometown of Liverpool in England.BBC News reported yesterday (April 25) that the synth-pop band – specifically its classic line-up of Holly Johnson, Brian Nash, Paul Rutherford, Mark O’Toole and Peter Gill – will play a small set at the Eurovision opening ceremony on Sunday May 7.Sharing the news on his Instagram page, frontman Johnson noted he was “happy to announce” the group’s reunion and that the Eurovision festivities would be a “very special event”.The band are best known for the 80s hit single ‘Relax’, which was released in 1983 as their debut single and topped the charts in nine countries – including their native UK.
The song was controversial for its time, receiving bans from both BBC Radio 1 and Top of the Pops due to the song’s suggestive and homoerotic nature.
The song also spawned one of the most memorable pieces of merchandise of the era: a white t-shirt with “FRANKIE SAY RELAX” written in large block lettering across the chest.The band’s follow-up singles, 1984’s ‘Two Tribes’ and ‘The Power of Love’, also topped the UK charts.
All three featured on the band’s debut album ‘Welcome To The Pleasuredome’, which went three times platinum in the UK and charted in the top 10 across 11 countries.A falling out between band members lead to the band’s dissolution in 1987.
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