October 29, 2009 marked the 25th anniversary of the release of Welcome To The Pleasuredome, by Frankie Goes To Hollywood, kicking off the short rule of Frankie over reality. oh so much [more inside]
posted by hippybear on Nov 16, 2009 - 45 comments

By 17 October, the day of the Soviet Moon landing, tension had risen. Czechoslovakian and Hungarian troops were said to be massing on the border with Austria. Soviet fighters had been harassing civil aircraft in the Berlin corridors, causing an American airliner to crash.

What was once the most secret British government document is released to the public on Tuesday. The Government War Book, used during the Cold War, set out in great detail exactly what would happen in the days before nuclear weapons were fired.

Prof Peter Hennessy describes the War Book
posted by the_very_hungry_caterpillar on Jun 23, 2009 - 30 comments

Some might find it difficult to believe that this was the video to a 1984 number one hit, although it's not surprising to learn that the video was banned (as was the song, leaving the BBC in the uncomfortable position of being unable to broadcast their country's biggest hit on any of its radio or television programs). The G rated version was directed by Brian De Palma and, oddly, appeared (in slightly altered form) in Body Double as a porno film within the movie. Although the band had other hits, notably Two Tribes which was rivaled only by Land of Confusion for most over-the-top Reagan representation in a music video, they have been beset with problems, primarily relating to who owns their name, but rest assured that lead singer Holly Johnson is doing well in his new calling as a painter. This astrological chart nicely (?) sums up his entire career. Incidentally, Katherine Hamnett, who designed the hugely popular Frankie Say Relax t-shirts (along with Wham's Choose Life tees which, ironically, birthed an anti-abortion moto) is still a successful designer, who continues to be active in environmental, HIV eradication, and anti-war efforts. Anyhow, check out the wacky Relax video. But beware of naked, shaving Roman Emperors.
posted by serazin on Jun 2, 2007 - 91 comments