A striking new photography exhibition opens in Liverpool this June, offering a rare glimpse into the formative years of one of the city’s most iconic 1980s performers.
Total Stranger: The Unseen Photographs of Pete Burns and Dead or Alive 1978–1983 launches on Saturday 7 June at Café Tabac on Bold Street.
The exhibition features black and white images by acclaimed rock photographer Francesco Mellina, capturing the raw energy of Liverpool’s late ’70s and early ’80s music scene—and the rise of Pete Burns, 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.
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.
“Bringing this collection of images of Pete to Café Tabac truly feels like a homecoming,” said Mellina.
“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!”
Oliver Clarke , Rita Lawrence’s great nephew and MD, commented: “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.”
Total Stranger: The Unseen Photographs of Pete Burns and Dead or Alive 1978–1983 opens on Saturday 7 June and runs until December. Entry is free, with viewing available during café opening hours.
The exhibition is accompanied by Francesco Mellina’s book, ‘Total Stranger: The Unseen Photographs of Pete Burns and Dead or Alive 1978–1983,’ available at march-design.co.uk and at Waterstones bookshop in Liverpool One.
Café Tabac, 126 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4JA.
@cafetabac
