The Holly Johnson Story

The '80s are synonymous with the music of Holly Johnson and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. As the band were storming the charts, Britain was going through a cultural revolution. On the 40th anniversary of the album Welcome to the Pleasuredome, 1984, this exhibition will chart the life and career of Liverpool lad Holly Johnson and his meteoric ascension to fame, where he become one of the first openly gay and openly HIV+ high profile artists in history. 

Delivered in partnership with Homotopia and Duovision, this exhibition will tell the story of Holly’s very public experience with homophobia and HIV+ stigma. It will reflect the polarising emotions of glamour, fun and sexual liberation, as well as fear and loss, encapsulating the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community at the time, an important moment in our history, and its legacy today.

This exhibition contains sensitive material and adult themes. Parental guidance is recommended for our younger visitors.