Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson has spoken out about the impact of sharing his HIV diagnosis in 1993, revealing how he felt ostracized by the music industry and faced significant challenges in his career.
In an interview ahead of the opening of "The Holly Johnson Story," an exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool celebrating his life and career, Johnson said that very few people from the music industry reached out to him after he made his HIV status public.
The Impact of Sharing His Diagnosis
He described the experience as “a bit like living in a desert for about 10 years,” and stated that he felt “cancelled by the music industry.” While Johnson found support within the gay community, he acknowledged the difficulties in finding work during that time.
Johnson also spoke about the challenges he faced as an openly gay artist in the 1980s.
The Challenges of Being an Openly Gay Artist
“The gay thing was a bit isolating in the music industry,” he said. “There were a lot of other gay singers, and they’d all been advised to stay in the closet. It was considered dangerous, and it did affect the band’s profile in middle America.” Johnson explained that while Frankie Goes to Hollywood enjoyed success in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, their public image faced resistance in other parts of the United States.
The Exhibition's Focus
The exhibition, which is part of a project documenting LGBTQ+ heritage, explores Johnson’s life, career, and personal archive. It also features stories from local LGBTQ+ individuals and includes items from Johnson’s career, such as costumes, memorabilia, paintings, and personal audio accounts of people living with HIV.
A Celebration of Resilience
The exhibition's opening marks the 40th anniversary of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's debut album, "Welcome to the Pleasuredome." Johnson sees the exhibition as a way to celebrate the resilience he has shown in the face of adversity.
“The opportunity to mount this exhibition is actually like winning the National Lottery for me,” he said. “Everything I was ever drawn to, through a lens of queerness and controversy, I brought with me into the future we live in now.” The exhibition will open to the public on September 14th.
Through his honesty and vulnerability, Johnson has shed light on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ artists in the music industry, particularly during the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. His story is a reminder of the importance of visibility and support for those living with HIV, and his journey serves as an inspiration for others facing similar challenges.
Johnson’s openness about his HIV diagnosis and his experiences as an openly gay artist in the 1980s have paved the way for greater inclusivity and acceptance within the music industry. He has become a role model for countless individuals, demonstrating that it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve success while staying true to oneself.
The "The Holly Johnson Story" exhibition provides an opportunity to learn more about the life and career of this iconic musician, as well as to reflect on the progress that has been made in terms of LGBTQ+ rights and representation in the music industry. It is a reminder that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or HIV status, have the opportunity to live authentically and achieve their full potential.
