Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Coventry, and our small part in their success

 

Frankie Goes to Hollywood – Coventry, and our small part in their success.

by Pete Clemons

For those who can remember back almost 40 years, to 1984, you may well remember that the charts were dominated by a band called Frankie Goes to Hollywood. First released during 1983, their debut single 'Relax' was banned by the BBC. By January 1984 the single made its way back into the charts and, as such, promptly went to number 1.

Follow ups 'Two Tribes' and 'Power of Love' did similar. The bands album 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' completed a hugely successful year when it also topped the charts. Soon after however, and as quickly as it all began, the Frankie's went into free-fall. But yes, it has to be said that the Frankie's were untouchable during 1984. However, it hadn't been instant success for them.

The end of the 1970s, and into the1980s, saw Liverpool awash with bands. One of those striving artistically at that time, Hambi Haralambous, mentioned during an interview: 'The abiding memory of the late 70s and early 80s as a performer was that anything was possible. The spirit of the Punk revolution spread quickly throughout Liverpool, and was personified by the opening of Eric’s, a club that presented International and National acts and allowed local artists a platform to launch themselves from. The competition between the bands was fierce and the next stage after appearing at Eric’s was to try and get a recording contract'.

During the spring of 1982 the recently formed Frankie's who, at that time consisted of bass player Mark O'Toole his brother Ged on guitar, Peter 'Ped' Gill on drums, vocalist Holly Johnson and their latest member, dancer Paul Rutherford, on backing vocals. Earlier versions of the band had existed but hadn't lasted long.

18 months prior to the beginning of their incredibly successful period the Frankie's were just another struggling band from Liverpool. And Coventry, very briefly, became one of the cities where the Frankie's began to put together their stagecraft, musical sense and communication.

Paul Rutherford had once been associated with another Liverpool band Hambi and the Dance led by Hambi Haralambous. And Paul's association with them possibly led to the reason why the Frankie Goes to Hollywood secured their support slot with Hambi and the Dance during a UK tour. The Hambi's shot to fame with their debut album 'Heartache', which they were promoting, and the singles 'Too Late to Fly the Flag' and 'Living in a Heartache'.

The promotional tour called into the General Wolfe on the Foleshill Road. In truth the Frankie's only had three completed songs at that time. 'Loves Got a Gun', 'Two Tribes' and 'Relax'. But they were working up many others and versions of those were given an airing.

After their Coventry appearance and during October 1982 the Frankie's recorded a John Peel session that comprised of 'Krisco Kisses', 'Two Tribes', 'Disneyland' and 'The World is my Oyster'. But the band were still struggling as, despite their efforts, they appeared to be getting nowhere. By December 1982 Ged O'Toole left the band replaced by Brian Nash.

The bands luck began to change during 1983 when, coincidentally, ZTT record label was being formed by Trevor Horn and others. Around the time that ZTT records was being conceived, and after seeing the Frankie's perform on TV programme, The Tube, Frankie Goes to Hollywood became the labels first major signing. After a mix of extensive marketing and exposure the band gave ZTT almost instant success.

Hambi and the Dance, who themselves had an illustrious history, were a short lived band but had major success with various band members going on to greater things - sadly front man Hambi Haralambous recently passed away.