Former Frontman to Celebrate “Welcome to the Pleasuredome” 40 Years On
Former Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson has announced a special UK tour to mark the 40th anniversary of the band’s iconic debut album, “Welcome to the Pleasuredome.” The tour comes amid controversy surrounding Johnson’s recent revelation about his HIV status, which has led to some backlash.
Released in 1984, “Welcome to the Pleasuredome” was a synth-pop sensation, featuring hits such as “Relax,” “Two Tribes,” and “The Power of Love.” To celebrate this milestone, the 64-year-old Johnson will be performing in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, Bath, Newcastle, and Liverpool, with tickets going on sale on Friday, September 13th at 9:30 am.
Johnson’s announcement comes at a time when he is facing scrutiny for revealing his HIV status, which has led to a complex reaction from the public. The singer has been open about his experience, sharing that he wrote the song “Relax” while walking through Liverpool, and that it “just floated into my head.”
In other news surrounding the singer, an exhibition celebrating Johnson’s career and LGBTQ+ heritage is set to open to the public. The exhibition will feature a variety of items, including costumes, memorabilia, personal audio accounts of people living with HIV in Liverpool, and paintings by Johnson himself.
Johnson has expressed his excitement about the exhibition, stating, “The opportunity to mount this exhibition is actually like winning the National Lottery for me. As a teenager, Music and Art were my passion. Everything I was ever drawn to, through a lens of queerness and controversy, I brought with me into the future we live in now.”
As Johnson embarks on his anniversary tour, the complex reactions to his HIV status disclosure continue to unfold, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by public figures in the LGBTQ+ community.
