Pete Burns featured in new exhibition of photographs in Port Sunlight

Nearly five decades after he left the village of Port Sunlight where he grew up, the late 80s pop music icon Pete Burns is being featured in a new exhibition of photographs by Francesco Mellina.

Over 40 photographs will be on display for visitors to explore in the exhibition at Bridge Cottage Gallery, set in one of the most distinctive houses of Port Sunlight. The exhibition’s title Total Stranger is taken from the Dead or Alive song of the same name.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Francesco Mellina took photographs of bands at the famous Eric’s Club in Liverpool, recording the various subcultures in club land during the pivotal post-punk era. During this time, Francesco developed a career as a nationally recognised rock photographer, and was a regular contributor to magazines such as The Face, NME, Melody Maker, Smash Hits, Sounds, iD magazine as well as various publications around the world. Francesco also managed Dead or Alive, guiding them to number one chart success with hits such You Spin Me Round (Like a Record) and Brand New Lover.

Francesco said:

“I am very pleased to be presenting this exhibition of my photographs in Port Sunlight, many of which have never been on display. I think many people will be fascinated to see these early photos of Pete Burns and Dead or Alive, as they capture their youthfulness and give an interesting glimpse into an exciting time in Liverpool’s club scene.

“I became friends with Pete after he caught my eye at the legendary Eric’s Club on Mathew Street and I asked if I could photograph him. I think he would be delighted to see these photographs now on display in his native village.”

The photographs on display in Total Stranger give a glimpse of the early career of Pete Burns, whose father worked at the Unilever factory in Port Sunlight. It is well known Pete was eager to escape to the bright lights of Liverpool over the water from Wirral, where his eye-catching fashion and personality quickly turned him into a local celebrity before rising to international fame as a singer, songwriter and television personality.

It is the first time these unique images celebrating Port Sunlight’s own Pete Burns have been on public display. Visitors will be able to see the exhibition between 21 September until 19 January 2025.

Jean Milton, curator of the exhibition and Director of Heritage at Port Sunlight Village Trust, said:

“We are delighted to be working with Francesco Mellina and to celebrate the life and early career of Pete Burns through Francesco’s images. This exhibition will hopefully bring Pete to a whole new audience and inspire a new generation to be true to who they are and not be afraid to create their own path.”

Bridge Cottage Gallery is open Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–4pm, at 23 Park Road, Port Sunlight CH62 4UP. Entry is by ‘pay what you think’, where visitors decide the price and donate what they feel or can contribute. Every pound given will support Port Sunlight Village Trust’s work to preserve and promote the historic village. The exhibition is not ticketed.