Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Holly Johnson

Holly Johnson, the Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman, shares with Matt his experience of how you cope with being in the biggest and most controversial musical outfit on the planet!

In The First Time With… 6 Music's Matt Everitt presents in-depth, exclusive and revealing interviews with major artists about the pivotal moments and songs that shaped their lives and their careers.

Today, Matt welcomes artist, musician and Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson to the programme. Holly shares his experience of the Liverpool music scene in the 80s, how he coped with being in one of the biggest and perhaps most controversial music outfits on the planet at the time and how 40 years of Frankie will be celebrated in 2024.

Following his time as bassist for the punk band, Big in Japan, Holly Johnson went on to be the lead vocalist for hugely successful Liverpool five-piece, Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Frankie Goes To Hollywood won multiple awards for their songs and albums including Two Tribes, Relax and Welcome to the Pleasuredome and were the second act in history to top the chart with their first three singles. Holly has since had success as a writer, with books including A Bone In My Flute, and as an artist. Frankie reformed last year for a long awaited live performance in Liverpool to celebrate the city hosting Eurovision.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 8 Jan 2024 23:00

Music Played

  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Two Tribes (Carnage Mix)

    • Reload! Frankie: The Whole 12 Inches.
    • ZTT Records.
    • 4.
  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Two Tribes

    • Fantastic 80's Disc 2 (Various Artis.
    • Gut.
  • T. Rex

    Ride a White Swan

    • Telstar.
  • David Bowie

    Moonage Daydream

    • EMI.
  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Wish The Lads Were Here

    • Welcome To The Pleasuredome.
    • ZTT Records.
    • 10.
  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Relax (Shoot It In The Right Direction) - Â鶹¹ÙÍøÊ×Ò³Èë¿Ú Session 24/02/1983

  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Welcome To The Pleasuredome

    • Welcome To The Pleasuredome.
    • ZTT Records.
    • 2.
  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Welcome To The Pleasure Dome

    • (Single).
    • ZTT.
  • Holly Johnson

    Americanos

    • Blast.
    • Universal-Island Records Ltd..
    • 3.
  • Holly Johnson

    Ascension

    • Fly (Songs Inspired By Eddie The Eagle) O.S.T. (Various Artists).
    • UMC.
    • 001.
  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    The Power Of Love

    • Mixed Emotions III (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv.
  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Bang

    • Welcome To The Pleasuredome.
    • ZTT Records.
    • 16.

Broadcast

  • Mon 8 Jan 2024 23:00

The first record I ever bought… by Noel Gallagher, Janelle Monae, Florence Welch, Thom Yorke, Elton John and many more

A selection of major artists reveal their first musical purchase.

Podcast