A Bone in My Flute

by Holly Johnson

This is the story of an awkward child born in Liverpool in 1960; of a child struggling with his otherness, his creativity and his homosexuality in a working-class environment.

Holly Johnson came to the world's attention as the lead singer of the pop group of the eighties, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, a supernova pop explosion of sexual politics and controversy, bringing images and ideas from the underworld into the light of day. Holly walked away from the band and their record label, creating an historic legal precedent by breaking an unfair recording agreement.

In 1991, Holly was diagnosed HIV positive and went on an internal journey of self-discovery. This is a modern life brilliantly and wittily recorded.

Genres: Music, Autobiography, Biography

Hardcover

First published March 1, 1994

Reviews

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted to read this for a long time, finally got hold of a copy. Was never a huge Frankie fan, but I did used to like some of Holly's solo stuff when I was younger. (Come on, that Love Train video was damned cute!).
This a pretty decent autobiography. You learn a lot about Holly's early life and his family. The later stuff is interesting too, with the scene back in the 70's and 80's and drops a few names. (The one I'm still shocked over, Pete Burns had a wife?! What?!).
Some of the detailed Frankie stuff was not so interesting to me as I don't know most of their stuff except the obvious. That's why a lower rating from me, though obviously for a fan, the detail there would be a plus
Holly's AIDS infection is not dealt with until nearly the end, so it's not an overly sad or depressing read, actually encouraging to think he is still alive and well and this was written some time ago.

[Tom Ryerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very candid and entertaining book which kept me wanting to read more. It was a great reference to Nasher's book, as each of the two men make reference to each other with certain incidents. I think I did enjoy this more than Nasher's book, just because of Holly's candid writing style. Both books were a great history of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, highly recommended.

[Bobby Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Holly's early life in Liverpool, though it couldn't have been easy. I didn't know he'd known Pete Burns when they were in their teens. Very disappointing to read about the ZTT greed and the immature treatment by the other Frankie band members. I was a huge fan in the 1980s; I still rank their show at Constitution Hall in DC as the best concert ever.

[Christopher Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a full review see https://hoodcp.wordpress.com/2021/03/...

[Linda Smolenski · Rating 2 out of 5]

A brilliant insight into the life of the legendary artist Holly Johnson who was the front man of the ground breaking band Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
The book is a wonderfully vivid account of Holly's childhood, his struggle and acceptance of his sexuality, discovery of his talent, the rocky road to worldwide fame and the struggle the fame brought.
Fascinating, witty, funny and very touching.
This is not a debauched sex drugs and rock and roll biography, though there are plenty of sex and drugs stories.
This is a trully special and talented individual who in the middle of the chaos found beautiful and enduring love and partnership.
Insider account of the record companies and the less glamourous side of music business.
Witty, sexy, inspiring... A book I would reccomend to everyone.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brilliant insight into his life, both personal and professionally. As the title suggests, it reveals some pretty graphic accounts of his sex life and sexuality. If you like autobiographies, this is a must have.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and entertaining biography, another 80s pop book for me to enjoy! He seems to rub almost everyone up the wrong way but that mostly adds to the story.