Holly Johnson - Photoscapes 1

by Andrew Twambley

published: 29 / 10 / 2024

Andrew Twambley writes of and photographs thew new Holly Johnson Exhibition in LiverpooL.

Article

On October 8th 1976, fresh into my first year at Liverpool Poly, I first attended Erics Club on Mathew Street, Liverpool to see the American all girl rock band, The Runaways. I was overcome by the irreverence and compelling atmosphere of this dank and dirty basement venue. I became a regular attendee for the next 4 years. All sorts of cool and charismatic characters worked at and floated around the club, some even playing in house band, Big in Japan, with many going onto greater things. One such person was Holly Johnson. I am pretty sure that when I first saw him, he was the young kid either working behind the bar or some other job at the club.. Forty Seven years later I am invited to attend “The Holly Johnson Story” at The Museum of Liverpool, along with a celebrity infused crowd of friends, family and admirers. I class myself in the latter category as I was, and am, far too uncool to have actually made his acquaintance. The opening of the exhibition marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s celebrated and seminal album, Welcome to the Pleasuredome, featuring all their 80s bangers. Heralded as “ an exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of this pioneering LGBTQ icon”…..I approached the Liverpool Museum with some trepidation. The entrance space was inhabited by a gathering of helpful smiley people handing out drinks and generally being busy. Loud industrial music was being played by the two colourful resident DJs. The time passed with me looking around, wondering if these people were the same ones that colonised Erics, all those years ago. Then suddenly he appeared, fully leathered up, with a flock of silver hair, and was introduced to the adoring congregation. After a brief yet impactful welcoming speech, this trailblazing LGBTQ + icon was whisked away and we were lead into the exhibition itself. The exhibits were displayed in orderly fashion starting off with an introduction into Hollys life then taking us back to Erics and his unforgettable participation into his first big role……bass player with Big in Japan. I was immediately transported back to 1976/77 through photographs and signed art work. A little lump formed in my throat as I looked at some of the old Erics programmes and images….. memories from a time and a place that can never repeat itself……and is probably best remaining in the memory with legendary status We then moved on to Frankie and the extraordinary impact that band had on music and 80’s culture. I recall seeing he video for “Relax” on TV and just could not believe what I was experiencing. It pushed the boundaries of acceptance beyond known limits and fiercely lead the way to a brave new world from which society could never return . Leaving behind Frankie we were transported into Holly’s solo career and his battles with HIV and standing as a champion for the (then) gay community, fighting against the dreaded Clause 28 and pushing for equal rights for all……all this whilst encountering personal tragedies of his own. Passing by this journeyn back to the eighties and nineties we were rewarded by an exhibition of Hollys distinctive art…..eye opening work in its own right. Once I had toured the exhibition along with the adulating populus, I needed to go again in order to soak up more memories of this revolutionary icon. Moving back into the museum entrance, there he was, talking to anyone and everyone, including little old me. I didn’t overstay my audience as he clearly had a horde of disciples to please. Back in the entrance space I spied a little chap that I knew I knew, but couldn’t place. It was actually Norman “ The Cat “ Killon the former resident DJ at Erics. Obviously he was oblivious to me, but he was the guy who ensured 3 years of my life ran smoothly. What a monumental piece of work the exhibition is, obviously researched and put together over a considerable period. I urge anyone who was around in those days and anyone with an interest in music culture and icons to visit. It is open well into 2025…. Just GO !!!!