'homecoming for liverpool icon' years after death

THE PERFORMER DIED FROM CARDIAC ARREST AT THE AGE OF 57 17:30, 20 May 2025 A “rare glimpse” into the formative years of one of the region’s iconic performers is coming to the city. A new

exhibition focusing on the unseen photographers of Port Sunlight’s Pete Burns is launching a Café Tabac on Bold Street. The showcase features black and white images by rock photographer

Francesco Mellina, capturing the raw energy of Liverpool’s late '70s and early '80s music scene - and the rise of the bold and unconventional frontman of Dead or Alive. Mellina, a

key figure in the scene himself, met Burns at the legendary Eric’s club on Mathew Street. The two quickly became friends, leading to a series of spontaneous photo shoots that documented

Pete’s fearless style and magnetic presence. In 1981, as the band evolved from Nightmares in Wax to Dead or Alive, Pete asked Mellina to manage them. Mellina played a vital role in their

development, arranging TV appearances, launching their first label, and building momentum that led to their 1985 global hit “You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)”. Next month's exhibition

presents a curated selection of 16 framed prints from Mellina’s archive of over 2,000 negatives, tracing Pete’s transformation from underground icon to international star. Article continues

below Mellina’s choice of venue to display the works is a personal one also - a creative hub for over 50 years, Café Tabac has long been a meeting place for Liverpool’s artistic community.

He said: “Bringing this collection of images of Pete to Café Tabac truly feels like a homecoming. In the 1980s, Tabac was at the heart of Liverpool’s cultural life. “Pete, his wife Lynne,

and I spent countless hours there, eating, talking, and catching up with other bands - all under the watchful eye of Rita Lawrence, who ran the café. Rita didn’t suffer fools, and she was

never afraid to ask someone to leave if they stretched one cup of tea too far.” Pete died in London following a sudden cardiac arrest back in 2016, at the age of 57. Total Stranger: The

Unseen Photographs of Pete Burns and Dead or Alive 1978–1983 opens on Saturday, June 7 and runs until December. Entry is free, with viewing available during café opening hours. Article

continues below Rita Lawrence’s great nephew, Oliver Clarke, added: “Tabac has always been a gathering place for Liverpool’s creative community - including many like Pete who went on to

achieve international fame. “Francesco has been a friend of the café for as long as I can remember, and his portraits beautifully capture Pete’s evolution and his enduring legacy in our

city’s incredible musical story. We’re honoured and delighted to host this important exhibition.”