Holly Johnson

Holly Johnson was born in Liverpool and became one of the key names on the city's music scene.

He played bass with Big in Japan and released several solo singles on the Eric's label before shooting to international fame as the lead singer and lyricist of Frankie Goes to Hollywood.

Their first three singles went to number one in the charts , selling millions, the multiple remixes revolutionised the sales of the 7 and 12 inch record. Relax, famously banned by the BBC for it's explicit sexual content , became one of the biggest selling records of all time .

Further successes followed with the tracks Two Tribes, and The Power of Love.

Their debut double album Welcome to the Pleasuredome also topped the charts, and was followed two years later with their second album Liverpool.

In 1987 Holly left the group and in 1989 his debut solo album Blast went to number one.

Holly has worked in the visual arts all his life and began to exhibit in solo shows during the 1990s.

Recently he has contributed to Sir Peter Blake's About Collage exhibition at Tate Liverpool, the Royal Academy Summer Show, the 2004 Liverpool Art Biennial and James Lawler's Fellow Travellers exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Work.

His work is on display in the Novas centre in Liverpool during 2008.

Holly has also written and illustrated for Details, Carlos, Modern Painters, The New Statesman, The Telegraph and The Guardian and his autobiography A Bone in My Flute received critical acclaim.