English group, formed in Liverpool, UK in 1980; comprised William Holly Johnson (vocals - b.February 19, 1960), Paul Rutherford (vocals, keyboards - b.December 8, 1959), Brian Nash (guitar - b.May 20, 1963), Peter Gill (drums - b.March 8, 1964) and Mark O'Toole (bass - b.January 6, 1964).
Following an appearance on Channel 4 TV show "The Tube" performing "Relax", the group were signed up by Trevor Horn and Paul Morley's new ZTT record label. With the benefit of Horn's production skills and Morley's off-the-wall marketing ideas, "Relax" came out in October 1983 and slowly but surely took off. It was already a top ten hit when, in January 1984, BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Read suddenly realised what the song was actually about, leading to a total BBC ban on the disc. From this moment on, Frankie Goes To Hollywood became not just a pop group but a phenomenon. The record went to number one in the UK, and was a smash hit across Europe and even in the USA. "Frankie Says" T-shirts (some dreamt up by Morley, but far more the creations of small-time bootleggers) became the fashion statement of the year, and anticipation was at such a fever pitch that every subsequent FGTH release that year - two singles and a double-LP - went straight in at number one in their home country, an unprecedented achievement and a triumph for ZTT.
Now established as huge stars in the UK and Europe (though like so many other "British invasion" acts they were doomed to One-hit Wonder status in the US), Frankie spent much of 1985 on tour before starting work on their second album, the Stephen Lipson-produced "Liverpool". Trailed by the popular single "Rage Hard", the album came out in October 1986 but failed to reach the sale levels of "Welcome To The Pleasuredome".
It was the beginning of the end for Frankie Goes To Hollywood - six months later, Johnson announced he was leaving the band for a solo contract with MCA. In the subsequent high-profile legal battle, ZTT lost their claim of contract-breaking against Johnson, a ruling which effectively brought the curtain down on the label's golden age. Rutherford quit too, leaving a diminished group who subsequently disbanded without releasing anything.
The original line-up reunited to play one song, "Welcome To The Pleasure Dome", during the National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome concert on 7th May 2023.
2022
UMC, UMC
3xCD, Comp
2022
UMC, FGTH Records
LP, RSD, Comp, Ltd
2020
DMC
CDr, Comp, Ltd, P/Mixed
2018
ZTT, ZTT, BMG
Box, RSD, Comp, Ltd + 12", Single, RE + 12", Singl
2015
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
Salvo, ZTT
7", Shape, RSD, Single, Ltd, Num, Pic
2013
2012
2012
2009
Barclay
CDr, Promo, Smplr
2009
2009
2009
2002
Avex Trax, ZTT
2xCD, Comp
2002
2001
ZTT
SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Comp
2001
2000
ZTT
CD, Promo, Smplr
2000
masterpiece
Acetate, 12"
2000
2000
2000
1998
ZTT, Universal Records
12", Promo
1994
1993
Warner Bros. Records, WEA
7", Single, Promo
1993
1993
1987
1986
ZTT, Ariston Music
7", Jukebox
1986
Ricordi
12", Promo
1986
ZTT
VHS, Mono, Promo, PAL
1986
1986
1986
1985
Smash Hits! Magazine
Flexi, 7", S/Sided
1985
Island Records
Box, Comp + Cass, Album + Cass, Single + Cass, Sin
1985
Innerview
LP, Transcription
1985
1985
1984
ZTT, Island Records
LP, Promo, Smplr
1984
Island Records
12", Promo, Smplr
1984
Ricordi
7", Jukebox
1984
Ricordi
7", Jukebox
1984
Ricordi
7", Jukebox
1984
Not On Label
Acetate, 7", S/Sided
1984
1984
1984
1984
1984
1984
1984
1983
Music Mall (3)
Betacam SP, Advance, Comp, PAL
2024
Sovrana Production
14xFile, AAC, Comp, 256
2024
Majestic Mountain Records
7", S/Sided, Ltd, W/Lbl, Pin
2024
Hollywood Records
LP
2024
Elektro Vox
17xFile, MP3, Comp, 320
2020
Psyche Enterprises
19xFile, AIFF, Comp
2018
Not On Label (Promenade Cinema Self-released)
File, MP3
2017
2016
Universal Music Belgium, Nostalgie (4)
5xCD, Comp
2014
Not On Label (Veronica Marchi Self-released)
CD, Album
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2012
Not On Label (DJ Morgoth)
17xFile, MP3, Comp, 320
2011
2010
Wulfrune Worxxx
Cass, Ltd, Num
2009
Not On Label (DJ Morgoth)
18xFile, MP3, Comp, 320
2009
2008
2008
2007
Wycombe Music, Wycombe Music, Wycombe Music
3xCD, Album
2007
Contraseña Records
3xCD, Comp
2007
Not On Label (Go Home Productions Self-Released)
22xFile, MP3, Comp, 320
2007
Not On Label (Go Home Productions Self-Released)
20xFile, MP3, Comp, 320
2006
Not On Label (Ανδρέας Ευαγγελόπουλος Self-released)
CDr, Album, Comp, Ltd
2006
Skip Records (2)
CD, Album
2005
Swedens Finest Records
6xFile, MP3, EP, 192
2004
Sony Music Polska
CD, Single
2004
2.47 Records
CD, Single, Promo
2004
Virgin, Virgin
2xCD, Comp
2004
2003
Scanner (2)
CD, Comp
2003
Richterskala
CD, Maxi, Dig
2003
Soundstation, Soundstation, Viva Disc
CD, Album
2003
2002
Vitaminepillen Records
CD, Album
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