Relax! Frankie Goes to Hollywood to reunite!
Twenty-five years ago, the hysteria over Frankie Goes to Hollywood in Britain was considered second only to the Beatles. But the Liverpool-bred band self-destructed after just two albums in 1986.
British tabloids today say that the members of Frankie -- Holly Johnson, Paul Rutherford, Peter Gill, Mark O'Toole and Brian Nash -- have decided to reunite and tour in the UK after the success of a Virgin Atlantic ad that features their signature hit Relax.
Also in the works are a new best-of collection of their hits and possibly some new material.
"We're thrilled our adverts helped persuade Frankie Goes To Hollywood to make a comeback," Virgin Atlantic told the Mirror. " It's a great coup for us and 80s pop fans will be equally delighted."
FGTH has reunited and toured a few times over the last two decades, but never with the full, original lineup. In 2003, VH-1's Bands Reunited brought all the original guys back together for the final show of the season. But lead singer Holly Johnson was the lone dissenting voice in playing a short reunion concert.
The BBC must be going nuts with this reunion news. It was largely because they banned the playing of the sexually-encouraging Relax back in the '80s that Frankie caught everyone's attention in the first place.
TOP 5 HIGHEST-CHARTING FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD SONGS:
5. RAGE HARD: "I don't know which way to go. My love's like driven snow. When we past the test of time, my love, you shall be mine." [Performance]
4. WELCOME TO THE PLEASUREDOME: "I will give you diamonds by the shower, love your body even when its old." [Performance]
3. THE POWER OF LOVE: "When the chips are down I'll be around, with my undying, death-defying love for you." [Performance]
2. TWO TRIBES: "Are we living in a land where sex and horror are the new gods?" [Video]
1. RELAX: "Live those dreams. Scheme those schemes. ... Hit me with those laser beams" [Video]
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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I have their two albums AND a greatest hits album.Why do i own their greatest hits album? I have no idea.
They were a fine band,not one of my favorites,but they have some nice stuff.Not very fond of "Relax" though.Maybe because it was overplayed.
Posted by: Miguel | June 25, 2009 at 02:39 PM
I hope they decide to hit the U.S. some shows.
Posted by: Bassnote | June 25, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Sort of unrelated but I have to comment about the CCCP shirt. If you wore something like that in the 80's you would probably have someone come up and punch you in the face. Now we long for the days of Communist Russia. It is weird. I was just watching Classic VH1 and they showed the video "Russians" from Sting. Now that is a great song but the lyrics almost make you laugh now. Oh, and about FGTH getting back, I guess that is cool, never was a huge fan though.
Posted by: Neil | June 25, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Great news! Holly coming back makes it a must see.
Posted by: Derek | June 25, 2009 at 11:48 AM
I have Pleasuredome on CD, Spearsy, so you're not alone. But then again, I'll buy anything produced by Trevor Horn.
Posted by: Mark in East Texas | June 25, 2009 at 09:44 AM
(And seriously, I still own all their stuff on CD. I'm sure I'll be playing it nonstop this week. It's managing to pull me out of my depression ... somewhat.)
Posted by: Spears | June 25, 2009 at 09:09 AM
I'm not remotely kidding when I say Frankie was my favorite band during the years they were together.
Posted by: Spears | June 25, 2009 at 09:05 AM
I love the 4 different versions of the video.
genius!
Posted by: Crockett | June 25, 2009 at 08:41 AM