Frankie Beats Ban (Press, 23 August 1984)

On 23 August 1984, a news story highlighted the sensational rise of the Liverpool band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, two decades after the Beatles achieved their first No. 1 hit. The group's success can be attributed partly to a deliberate strategy of controversy, distinguishing it from the Beatles' more organic fame. Their single "Two Tribes" debuted at No. 1 on the charts in early July 1984, achieving a gold disc for over 500,000 sales within just eight days and breaking records for the fastest-selling single since the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" in the early 1960s. Frankie Goes to Hollywood's earlier single, "Relax," also performed exceptionally well. It had spent five weeks at No. 1 earlier in 1984 and remained on the charts for a remarkable 40 consecutive weeks, selling over 1.3 million copies. This made "Relax" the likely contender for the title of the most popular record of the 1980s, placing it among the top 10 best-selling singles of all time. The band’s success is thought to have been bolstered by a BBC ban on "Relax." When BBC DJ Mike Read stated he would no longer play the track, claiming it depicted homosexual themes, many perceived the controversy as a strategic move by the band to enhance their visibility and appeal. Historically, such bans have often propelled bands like the Rolling Stones and the Sex Pistols to greater heights in the charts, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood seemingly capitalised on this phenomenon. Lead singer Holly Johnson indicated that the band's latest single, "Two Tribes," which bears a similar sound to "Relax," critiques the futility of war. The single's cover art features Soviet leader Lenin on the front and images of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and US President Ronald Reagan on the back, underscoring the nuclear tensions of the superpowers. The accompanying music video faced scrutiny for its violent content, being considered inappropriate for daytime viewing. In a staged conflict broadcast to viewers, actors representing Reagan and Soviet leader Konstantin Chernenko were depicted engaging in a mock battle, which included exaggerated actions such as Reagan biting off Chernenko's ear. Overall, the rapid ascent of Frankie Goes to Hollywood reflects not only their musical talents but also the clever use of controversy in enhancing their appeal to a youthful audience, reminiscent of tactics used by past influential bands.

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