"Welcome To The Pleasuredome" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood 2023!

I had to pick my jaw up from the floor when I first saw that Frankie Goes To Hollywood reunited with their original line-up to open this year's Eurovision in guest host city Liverpool. Here they are, with lead singer Holly Johnson finally back at the helm, performing their incredible song "Welcome To The Pleasuredome," which I wrote about previously here. I have to say I am unexpectedly emotional about this...that something from my youth is still, albeit with some age and silver hair, intact made me tear up with memories. It seems like, with the state of the world and all that has happened in the last many decades, that anything from that period has been destroyed, it all got the blade. But here they are, FGTH, sounding fierce as ever.

https://www.facebook.com/fgth.official/

"Welcome To The Pleasuredome" by Frankie Goes To Hollywood

I am feeling love and nostalgia today for the amazing opening track--actually a suite that occupies the entire first side of the original vinyl album--"Welcome To The Pleasuredome" from the album of the same name by Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

Super group Frankie Goes To Hollywood was a super sensation when they released their debut double album "Welcome To The Pleasuredome" in 1984. Before the album's release, they had caused quite a stir with their song "Relax" and subsequent S&M-themed video. And the iconic Frankie Say tee shirts became ubiquitous throughout the mid-80s. I worked at Tower Records when this record came out and still have my original Frankie Say Relax tee!

Inspired by the poem "Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, this opening track, complete with animal and jungle sound effects, comes in at a glorious 13:38, while the single version clocks in at a mere 4:20. Here is the full suite:

And if you can't get your fill in the thirteen minute version, check out this awesome FORTY minute remix!

The group reunited in 2004 for a Prince's Trust charity performance staged at London's Wembley Arena to mark the 25th anniversary in show business of producer Trevor Horn, who made his name overseeing hits by artists like the Buggles, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Yes, and ABC. Lead singer Holly Johnson refused to participate so they held open auditions for a substitute lead singer. Fortunately for all FGTH fans, they found Ryan Molloy. Just listen to that powerful moment when we hear Molloy's voice for the first time, like a young Holly. Take a gander at the smokey eye make-up, the mirrored aviators, the Berber shrug, the beautiful mop of blond, and the toned torso. I don't miss Holly at all. Molloy's performance is inspired and masterful.

https://www.frankiesay.com/
https://www.facebook.com/fgth.official/
http://www.ryanmolloy.com/

Currently listening to...

... the historically relevant "Two Tribes" by then mega-super-band Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

They may be a footnote in the annals of 80s music now, but in 1984, Frankie Goes To Hollywood took the world by storm. Their song "Relax" was everywhere. And this song, "Two Tribes," was their next single. The video seems comical now, but for anyone not alive during that time period, I can't stress enough to you how immediate and frightening and imminent a war with Russia seemed. There was a palpable fear in the zeitgeist, floating in the air...a real and true possibility--no, a likelihood of two super powers going to war. The video by Godley and Creme features look-alike versions of Ronald Reagan and then-Soviet leader Konstantin Chernenko in a fighting ring, going hand to hand while the nations of the world watch. The song itself--and especially the 12" single remixes--features terrifyingly dispassionate samples from the series of twenty "Protect and Survive" public information films for British television, narrated by Patrick Allen.

It was on everyone's mind and the fear was in everyone's heart.

Then-President Ronald Reagan foolishly added to the cultural landscape of fear by making a careless remark during a microphone check before a speech. Although it was not broadcast, the clip was leaked.
He said with jocularity, "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes." Yuck yuck yuck... as we hear chuckles in the background.

According to Wikipedia, with cited sources, "...the Tokyo newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported in October 1984 that the Soviet Far East Army was placed on alert after word of the statement got out, and that the alert was not withdrawn until 30 minutes later. An unnamed aide to US Representative Michael Barnes (D-Md.) confirmed that the Pentagon was aware of the alert.[3]"

Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads, Bootsy Collins of Parliament-Funkadelic, and Daniel Lazerus formed a one-off group called Bonzo Goes To Washington (a reference to Ronald Reagan's 1951 film "Bedtime For Bonzo" in which he shared billing with a chimp) to create a biting song only using the sample of Reagan's monumental gaffe which opens the track. Listen to it below.

Frankie are still around, minus vocalist Holly Johnson. They are now fronted by Ryan Molloy, who I must say does sound quite a lot like Johnson.
http://www.frankiesay.com/