Holly Johnson 'cancelled' after HIV positive status revealed
Photo credit: Trevor Leighton
Holly Johnson gained recognition in the 1980s as a member of the band Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
Holly Johnson, the lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, revealed that the music industry turned its back on him after he disclosed his HIV status.
The 64-year-old mentioned that only a handful of individuals from the music industry reached out to him after he revealed his HIV status in a 1993 interview.
"It felt somewhat similar to being in a desert for nearly a decade," he remarked.
"The LGBTQ+ community stood by me, and I performed at various clubs, but finding work was really challenging back then. It felt like the music industry had turned its back on me."
Image credit: Museum of Liverpool
An exhibition traces the journey of Johnson’s early years and professional path, showcasing his evolution from a young musician to a globally celebrated icon.
He was addressing the audience prior to the launch of "The Holly Johnson Story," an exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool that delves into his life and journey to becoming one of the first high-profile artists to openly identify as gay and HIV positive.
He mentioned that being gay felt somewhat isolating in the music scene.
Many other queer artists had been told to keep their sexuality hidden.
It was seen as a threat, and it impacted the band's reputation in central America.
"We had an amazing experience in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. We were right at the cutting edge of it all, and it definitely wasn’t a walk in the park."
Much of what was said about us revolved around the theme of being 'gay this and gay that.' I believe this is why the Pet Shop Boys chose to remain private about their sexuality in the 1980s.
"People were focused on promoting their brand and making profits."
The arts organizations Homotopia and DuoVision state that the exhibition outlines Johnson's beginnings and professional journey.
"It was an incredible time, but it required a tremendous amount of effort; it wasn’t as glamorous as people often imagine when they think about pop music stardom," said the artist from Liverpool.
"During that time, they really pushed you to your limits. There was no concept of taking care of the younger generation; it was all about extracting every bit of effort from them."
The exhibition also celebrates the 40th anniversary of the hugely popular album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome.
It includes the band's most popular songs: "Two Tribes," "The Power of Love," and "Relax," which is well-known for being banned by the BBC.
Picture credit: PA Media
Frankie Goes To Hollywood's first album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome, is said to have sold approximately 250,000 copies within its initial week.
He mentioned that he composed "Relax" during a walk from his mother's house to the rehearsal space in Liverpool.
"It came to me out of nowhere, and I began singing it to stay motivated," he shared.
I couldn't help but laugh as I sang it because I found it hilarious. I didn’t really think about it again until I reached rehearsal and began singing it once more.
"I didn't feel the need to jot it down. It was easy to grasp, and it stuck in my mind, which is a sign of something really good."
Photo credit: Museum of Liverpool
Holly Johnson had an encounter with the iconic pop artist Andy Warhol.
The exhibition is part of a project focused on preserving LGBTQ+ history. It collaborates with Sahir, a charity dedicated to sexual health and wellness, to delve into Johnson's archive. Through community workshops and history sessions, the project aims to collect and share the experiences of local LGBTQ+ individuals.
The exhibition will showcase various pieces from his professional life, such as outfits, collectibles, personal recordings from individuals living with HIV in Liverpool, and artwork created by the singer.
“Getting the chance to showcase this exhibition feels like hitting the jackpot for me. When I was a teenager, music and art were my true loves," Johnson expressed.
"All the things I was always attracted to, seen through the perspective of queerness and debate, I carried along with me into the present day."
The exhibition will be accessible to the public starting Saturday.
