麻豆社

As we celebrate his 65th birthday, singer-songwriter, writer and artist Holly Johnson talks about his life and career in interviews and appearances on 麻豆社 radio with Janice Long, Matt Everitt, Chris Hawkins, Andy Peebles, Frank Partridge, Matthew Bannister, Graham Norton and Sara Cox.

With his usual humour, wisdom and frank honesty, Holly talks about growing up in Liverpool, singing in the church choir and then skipping school, making some very influential and fashionable friends and being inspired by his heroes David Bowie and Marc Bolan. He remembers punk as a liberating movement which led to his role in the house band Big In Japan, and appearances at Eric鈥檚 nightclub near The Cavern which then led to the formation of Frankie Goes To Hollywood. The band put out demos and a home made video which garnered performances for Janice Long, John Peel, Kid Jensen, Jools Holland and The Tube. These ultimately caught the attention of Trevor Horn and the first result was a stunning song which Holly calls the blueprint for modern pop music. So good it topped the charts and then returned to the Top 2 when their second single subsequently topped the charts.

Holly discusses the year 1984 when everyone had a Frankie Say T-shirt and they released the controversial videos for Relax and Two Tribes. He also remembers the landmark court case which gave him the freedom to become a solo artist and finally tells us about the song he is most proud of.