KajaFax SuperFan #8

KajaFax are again pleased to bring you the views of another Kajagoogoo fan in our eighth superfan feature.

Today, we feature Andreas from Germany.

Thanks for agreeing to feature on-site Andreas. Here goes with the questions!

I know that you have been a fan of Kajagoogoo from the very beginning.  What was it about the band that first got you hooked?  What first attracted you to them?

That’s an easy question! It was Nick Beggs playing, or should I say slapping the bass that first grabbed my attention to this most brilliant of bands. They were distinctive in both look and sound, and that made me want to hear more. The unusual hair-look appealed to me!!!

How did you feel when the band and Limahl parted company back in 1983?  Was it difficult to adapt to the new sound with Nick on vocals?

I was disappointed and very surprised, even shocked, when I heard that news come through from “cold” Finland. None of the fans that I knew saw that coming.   I still liked Nick’s voice which I thought was brilliant on the Islands album.  He did a really good job as lead singer and for the type of songs on that album he was perfect.  I can’t imagine how those songs would have sounded had Limahl sung them, although we all got an idea of how that would have been on the reunion tour.

Did you follow Limahl’s career post Kajagoogoo and buy a copy of “Don’t Suppose” when it was released, and did you like it compared to the Kajagoogoo sound?

Yes, I followed Limahl for a certain time and was, I suppose you could say, a fan of both Limahl and Kajagoogoo.  The first solo album from Limahl was, to me, made for radio pop music more in the style of how the Kajagoogoo White Feathers album sounded.  ‘Islands’ was, with the trumpets and bigger percussion sound, much more jazzy and grown up.  Islands also gave us the Chapman Stick for the first time which became an important part of the group’s sound later on

It’s fair to say that I liked the Islands sound more 😉

And Jez?  How did you feel when he left in 1985?

Simple. If Jez had left Kajagoogoo at the time of Islands, for me, it would have been the complete end of Kajagoogoo.  When he did leave just before the third album, that end (for Kajagoogoo anyway) came and the old band were replaced by Kaja.

So were you sad when the remaining three (Kaja) members disbanded?

Oh yes, very sad.  Kajagoogoo for me stopped when Jez left, but the Kaja ‘Crazy Peoples Right to Speak’ album was a fantastically good album. They could (as the Kaja three) have gone on to do so much more.

Like most fans, I assume that you saw the VH-1 appearance on “Bands Reunited” when it first aired. How excited were you at that tine to see the guys reform, and how did you feel having to wait another 5 years before full reunion?

I didn’t see it when it first aired but I did see it later. For me, it was the best news I had heard since ’85 when Kaja ended.  I thought the people from VH-1 told the story well and overall the show was brilliantly done – after all, it was really one last try for that one night reunion.  At that time it was only reunion for one night, but at least all the band said ‘yes’!!!!!!!!!! Each member of the band had different lives and their own careers and needed to decide what could maybe happen in the future.  Maybe that’s why it took five years for things to be really OK? Better late than never 😉

I know that you have seen the band live on many occasions.  Can you tell me when and where you saw them and maybe share your memories of those nights?

I first saw them live in the June of ’84 at Munchen (Circus Krone) then again at Mannheim (Rosengarten) and finally in Düsseldorf (Philipshalle) when they were supported by Fashiøn.  They were great shows and I was really very excited to be there. They played the new songs from Islands and of course all of the hits and other songs from White Feathers were also performed.  It was all such a long time ago but I still remember those shows as being great.  I had my ticket to see the band on the German leg of the reunion tour in Bochum but I missed the performance as I was in a car accident – believe me, I was not happy about that!  The band found out that I had not been able to come to the show and sent me a signed photo from them sending their best wishes. I was so very happy to get it!

What is your favourite Kajagoogoo song and why?

Oooohhhh, that’s a pretty good question.  May favourite song? I cannot choose and love them all – I don’t want any song to be ‘number 2’. They are all my favourite….is that OK?

Sure! Limahl was the most active solo ‘goo member in 2012.  What did you think of the two singles (1983 and London for Christmas) that he released last year?

When I heard 1983, I loved it. I think maybe it did the job that Limahl intended as it really did take me back to that time – remembering what was going on in the ‘80s.  It was also in itself a brilliant dance song.  London for Christmas was different and showed Limahl’s voice as it should be.  He never sounded so good as he does on that song…..hmmmmmmmmmmm…..I like both songs and in different ways.  I hope that Limahl brings out more new songs this year.

Finally, what would you hope to see from the band in the future?

Well, like all fans I would like to see a DVD released. Most people crave for the White Feathers Tour to be issued on DVD but for me, I would like to see a DVD of the Islands tour although I don’t know if there is any film of this tour.  Most of all, I would like to see again the fab five on stage with a new album and new songs.

Kajagoogoo – please hurry up! Boy, it’s a long time since the last one and time to give us fans what we so badly miss!!!

Thanks for being a KajaFax Superfan Andreas! We have loved your answers and it has been a pleasure to speak with you!

Thanks KajaFax! It’s been fun.

2013 KajaFax