Frankie Goes To Hollywood to reunite for Eurovision 2023 performance

Synth-pop 80s group Frankie Goes To Hollywood is reuniting this May to open the 2023 Eurovision song contest in the band’s hometown of Liverpool, England.

This is the first time the group’s classic line-up of Holly Johnson, Brian Nash, Paul Rutherford, Mark O’Toole and Peter Gill will be reunited since 1987, as reported by BBC News yesterday.

Frontman Johnson shared the news via his Instagram account, stating he was “happy to announce” the group’s reunion, and that the Eurovision’s festivities which include the small set they are due to perform at the opening ceremony on May 7th would be a “very special event”.

The group are best known for their 1983 debut hit single, ‘Relax’, which topped the charts in nine countries, including the UK. The song, at the time, was renowned for its controversial nature, receiving bans from both BBC Radio 1 and Top of the Pops due to the suggestive and homoeroticism of the track. One of the most memorable pieces of merchandise to date was born from the song; a white t-shirt with “FRANKIE SAY RELAX” written in large block lettering across the chest.

Follow-up singles ‘Two Tribes’, released in 1984, and ‘The Power of Love’, also went on to top the UK charts, and all three singles featured on the band’s debut album Welcome To The Pleasuredome. The record went platinum three times in the UK and landed in the top 10 charts in 11 different countries.

A falling out between members led to the band’s eventual dissolution in 1987. Although they appeared on VH1’s Bands Reunited in 2003, they did not perform. In 2004, several of the band’s members performed at a Prince’s Trust charity concert with the help of newly-recruited vocalist Ryan Molloy. They performed under new name, Forbidden Hollywood until 2007 due to an ongoing legal battle with Johnson over rights to the name.

Although traditionally the winning country of the Eurovision plays host to the following year’s contest, the 2023 competition will be held in Liverpool due to the ongoing conflict in 2022’s winners’ Kalush Orchestra’s home of Ukraine.

Taking place between May 9th and 13th, Wild Youth were selected to represent Ireland, with their song, ‘We Are One’. The song contest will feature performances from the likes of Sam Ryder, Kalush Orchestra, and Netta among others.

Stream ‘We Are One’ below.