Art Nouveau – Fear Machine
Art Nouveau – Fear Machine
We did previously have a feature on this track which included a YouTube video, unfortunately the user who uploaded that video has since closed their account, meaning this track was no longer available to listen to on YouTube.
That was of course unacceptable, so we’ve uploaded the track ourselves for your continued listening pleasure!
This incredibly rare single was privately pressed with 1000 copies available, many of those will now be lost, destroyed, damaged or tucked away in collections.
Fear Machine, enjoy!
Hope you enjoyed the video.
2012 KajaFax
Limahl January – Here and Now Tour
Limahl January – Limahl ‘Here and Now’
As all Kajagoogoo fans are aware, Limahl has a new solo single release that will be available from all digital stores on January 10th, and we at KajaFax are rather excited about it! ‘Limahl January’ is exactly that…a whole month of KajaFax articles dedicated to Limahl and his career past, present, and future…
Today, we turn back the clock to 2008 and Limahl’s appearance on the ‘Here and Now’ tour. We at KajaFax were particularly taken by the notion of the Here and Now tour going overseas…not just intoEurope but to all corners of the globe! Such is the popularity of music from the 1980’s that retro tours are very much big business and ticket sales are invariably high – surely testament to the global domination of UK acts during the decade.
It was in March 2008 that Limahl found himself jetting off to the ‘Arena of Stars’ in Genting, Malaysia, to perform two nights on the Asian leg of the 2008 tour along with fellow performers Paul Young, Howard Jones, Bananarama, and Johnny Hates Jazz.
The Arena of Stars is a musical amphitheatre that forms part of the Genting Highlands Theme park in Malaysia, close to Kuala Lumpur. This fully roofed amphitheater boasts a state-of-the-art lighting system and a recently upgraded 3 million dollar sound system. The venue can accommodate 6,000 seated ticket holders. Nestled on a mountain peak, the resort is accessible by car or also via a cable car system called the Genting Skyway which when first built was the world’s fastest, and South East Asia’s longest gondola lift.
Limahl was the first act on stage that night opening the show at around 8:30pm and performed a set that included Never Ending Story, Too Shy, Ooh to Be Ah, Hang on Now, Only for Love and Duran Duran’s Rio.
Photos courtesy Of ‘Tummythoz’
Fellow blogger ‘Ugwug’ attended the gig and explains the Here and Now attraction:
“It didn’t matter that it was more than 20 years ago that I was so entranced by the English wave; New Wave, New Romantic, the Stock, Aitken and Waterman era, and the time when synthesizer music was the rage….I was in love with them back them and still am. I have always preferred English music compared to American music as I found the former more exciting….Limahl handed out signed CDs and photos and yours truly ran up to him and got my hand on one of the signed CDs. Yay!”
A huge thank you to ‘Ugwug’ for sharing those experiences with KajaFax. Please check out Ugwug’s rather special blog, ‘You Get What You Give’ for fantastic articles and reviews on food, travel and much, much more.
Another fan of all things 80s is KajaFax reader and fellow blogger Hendric who shares these photos of Limahl on stage:
Photos courtesy of http://hendric1421.blogspot.com/
Hendric also took this short clip of Limahl on stage:
So….do you want to hear the real Here and Now? The brilliant new single release? Limahl’s brand new single, ‘1983’, will be in store on January 10th.
Please buy your copy and help make it a huge success. Remember every sale counts towards that all important chart place!
‘1983’ is released by DIG Music and will be available from January 10th.
http://www.7digital.com/artists/limahl/1983/
http://www.hmvdigital.com/artist/limahl/1983
http://www.amazon.co.uk/1983/dp/B006K6NXRU
2012 KajaFax
KajaFax Reaches 100,000!
KajaFax Reaches 100,000!
We’re delighted to see that today, KajaFax passed the 100,000 hits barrier!
We just missed our target of hitting this during 2011 by a mere three days but we’re just absolutely thrilled to have made it this far.
To celebrate, here are a few stats for you to ponder over!
When the site was first established on 17th November 2010, we took 811 hits for the remainder of that month, jumping to 2,942 just in December 2010.
In comparison, this December 2011 we had our record month with 12,639 hits so it’s evident to see how much the site has grown in just one year.
Our average daily hit count across 2011 was 260.
Our average daily hit count across 2012 so far is 533.
We’re looking forward to the next 100,000 and can only continue to thank you warmly for the continued support.
2012 KajaFax
Limahl January – Then Suddenly
Limahl January – Then Suddenly
As all Kajagoogoo fans are aware, Limahl has a new solo single release that will be available from all digital stores on January 10th, and we at KajaFax are rather excited about it! ‘Limahl January’ is exactly that…a whole month of KajaFax articles dedicated to Limahl and his career past, present, and future…
Today, we turn back the clock to 1999 and a rather marvellous tune that was included on a dance compilation called 12” of Pleasure.
‘Then Suddenly’ was written by Limahl and given additional remix treatment by ‘Almighty Associates’ and in my opinion is one of the hidden gems in Limahl’s back catalogue. This track would have been a huge hit had it been given a full single release.
KajaFax is proud to present this YouTube exclusive extended sample of the track for your listening pleasure! Enjoy….
So….do you suddenly want to hear more Limahl? Do you want to hear the stunning new single? ‘1983’, the hot new solo release from Limahl is available from your favourite digital store on January 10th. Please remember to purchase your copy and make it a huge success in your country!
‘1983’ is released by DIG Music and will be available from January 10th.
http://www.7digital.com/artists/limahl/1983/
http://www.hmvdigital.com/artist/limahl/1983
http://www.amazon.co.uk/1983/dp/B006K6NXRU
2012 KajaFax
Limahl 1983 Teaser Video with Pat Sharp
Limahl 1983 Teaser Video with Pat Sharp
Here we have a teaser video for the new single from Limahl, ‘1983’.
The video is presented by Smooth FM superstar DJ Pat Sharp, fresh back from his stint in the jungle!
Only eight days to go until the single is released, we can’t wait!!
Here is the video for you to watch and enjoy!
2012 KajaFax
Limahl January: The Never Ending Story
Limahl January – The Never Ending Story
As all Kajagoogoo fans are aware, Limahl has a new solo single release that will be available from all digital stores on January 10th, and we at KajaFax are rather excited about it! ‘Limahl January’ is exactly that…a whole month of KajaFax articles dedicated to Limahl and his career past, present, and future…
No website about Kajagoogoo would be complete without an article on the song ‘NeverEnding Story’. Although recorded by Limahl as a solo artist, the track is a firm favourite with Kajagoogoo fans, and was one of the highlights of the band’s recent live set-list.
So what is the history of the song? Well, I guess to answer that question we first need to make reference to the story itself! The NeverEnding Story is a German fantasy novel, published in the 1970’s under its original title of ‘Die unendliche Geschichte’. The story is the tale of a boy, bullied by his peers and neglected by his father, who steals a mysterious book from an antique bookstore, inadvertently becoming a part of the story held within it as he sits and reads it. Before long, the boy finds himself transported to the parallel world of Fantasia, a world being destroyed by a force known only as ‘the Nothing’, and is himself drawn into the battle to stop it’s destruction.
The book was written by Michael Ende and first published in 1979.
So, how did Limahl become involved in the production of the Movie? Well, in 1984, EMI Records asked Limahl to travel to Japan to perform at the Tokyo Music Festival. The event was held at the historic Budokan Arena and had an audience of 10,000 – with a further 44 million watching on television! Great exposure indeed. It was here that Limahl had the all important chance meeting with Italian super-producer Giorgio Moroder, who just happened to be working on the soundrack to a new movie entitled ‘The NeverEnding Story’…
Following some heavy behind-the-scenes discussion between management on both sides the deal was done, and within six weeks Limahl was on his way to Munich to record the vocal for the track that was to prove both a huge global hit and an iconic Eighties classic.
The song reached the number one slot in over 17 countries and still gets serious rotation on radio stations worldwide.
In retrospect, the track was destined for success – Moroder truly had (and has) legendary status and back in 1984 was hot property with his soon-to-be successes with music from the films Flashdance and Electric Dreams (with the Human League’s Phil Oakey), not to mention prior works with the Midnight Express soundtrack and of course with fellow legend Donna Summer.
EMI didn’t share the initial enthusiasm and were luke warm about the project. Limahl continues the tale:
“I remember vividly EMI Records were quite reluctant to sign the song and Billy (my manager) called the managing director (at EMI), Peter Jameson, and it got quite heated…… I was in the same room and nervous about the whole thing but ultimately impressed by Billy’s sheer audacity. God I thought, he’s swearing at the managing director! Billy was fighting for his artist’s career and I felt grateful he was on my side……”
Whatever part was played by luck and how much was down to managerial persistence, one thing is for sure – Giorgio Moroder knew a good thing when he heard it! Twenty seven years later and the track has cemented a firm place in the history books as an 80’s great.
Such was the impression made by Limahl on Moroder that the pair were soon to work together again, for the 1986 album ‘Colour All My Days’.
So, after all that, it’s only right that we end with the song itself, courtesy of EMI Music:
So….do you want to hear the awesome new release? Limahl’s brand new single, ‘1983’, will be in store on January 10th. Please remember to buy your copy and make it a huge success!
‘1983’ is released by DIG Music and will be available from January 10th.
http://www.7digital.com/artists/limahl/1983/
http://www.hmvdigital.com/artist/limahl/1983
http://www.amazon.co.uk/1983/dp/B006K6NXRU
2012 KajaFax
KajaFax Treasure Hunt Competition Winners and Solution
KajaFax Treasure Hunt Competition Winners
As you’ll remember, we ran a competition right through December to win some fabulous prizes from ourselves and the guys from KajaGooGoo.
Our challenge was a difficult one and we defeated most of you along the way it must be said! We were delighted to get many entries for this one and we’d like to thank you all, if you had a go at one question right through to submitting the final answer.
In this post, we shall let you know who has been randomly chosen for the prizes and also, what the answers were to those 24 questions. How many did you get right?!
Winning Prize Pack A is Jie Xu, congratulations! Jie wins the mug, the signed laserdisc, the 1983 tour programme and the DDH double pack of EP’s.
Winning Prize Pack B is Dave Kilburn, congratulations! Dave wins the t-shirt, Best of KajaGooGoo CD/DVD, Lions Mouth 7″ Picture Disc and DDH double pack of EP’s.
Winning Prize Pack C is Mandy Turner, congratulations! Mandy wins the bonus prize of DDH double pack of EP’s.
And now for the solution, huge well done if you got this far!!
What is the title of the first solo single recorded by Chris Hamill?
It’s Christmas
In 2004, Nick Beggs played bass for a certain Indian born UK global superstar during the recording of their staggering 75th album release! Which artist was it?
Engelbert Humperdinck
Title of a 1979 Limahl demo song, composed by Tim Bentinck.
Who Shall I Be Today
Name the manufacturer of Stuart Croxford-Neale’s synthesiser, as used in the White Feathers era….
Roland (Jupiter 8)
Which UK event did Kajagoogoo headline in August 2009?
Hobble on the Cobbles
Please name Kajagoogoo’s ‘in house’ studio facility, situated in Leighton Buzzard, England ….
REDdot Studios
‘Steve’ said that they came from a small town….
(Smalltown) Elephants
Before joining Kajagoogoo, Limahl had a dandy time with Stuart and this song… The question is this – which song?
Stand and Deliver
What is the name of Jez Strode’s equipment hire company?
Atlantic Hire Services
Name the first track recorded by Art Nouveau at Blackwing Studio s back in 1979….
Life’s a Go Go
Name the B-side to the 12” version of the Kajagoogoo hit single ‘Ooh to be Ah’
Interview Rooms
Kajagoogoo were almost named after an Agatha Christie novel. Which one?
The Mirror Cracked
What’s the name of the Norwich venue that saw Kajagoogoo take to the stage back in May 1983?
UEA
Kajagoogoo were living this back in 2009?
High Life
Nick Beggs had his life in mono working on an album for this pop star in 2006.
Emma Bunton
Location for the 2010 festival which saw the last live gig that KajaGooGoo played in the UK .
Henley
What’s the model number of the Roland drum kit played by Jez Strode?
TD20
This chap co-produced ‘Too Shy’ with Nick Rhodes, what’s his surname?
Thurston
A different version of the Islands album was released in the US , known as what?
Extra Play
A satellite channel got the band back together in 2003, who are they?
VH1
This KajaGooGoo automotive album track certainly wasn’t slow!
This Car is Fast
Kenny Everett appeared in the video for this Kajagoogoo single.
Ooh to be Ah
First Girl on Mars was initially going to be called what?
Earth Girl on Mars
This machine was only ever pressed 1000 times
Fear Machine
We then asked you to take the first letter of each of your answers and re-arrange them to come up with an answer relation to the band. We also gave the clue away that the letters would map out in the format of (3,5,8,4,4).
IEWRHRESALITUHEHTTEVTOEF
A little bit of twiddling and the final answer becomes:
THE WHITE FEATHERS LIVE TOUR
We will be in contact this evening with the winners to ask for your postage details, once again a massive well done for solving this one!
2012 KajaFax
Limahl January Begins!
Limahl January – Live at the Westfalenhalle,Dortmund, 2006
Welcome to the first in our first feature of the New Year!
As all Kajagoogoo fans are aware, Limahl has a new solo single release that will be available from all digital stores on January 10th, and we at KajaFax are rather excited about it! ‘Limahl January’ is exactly that…a whole month of KajaFax articles dedicated to Limahl and his career past, present, and future… Along the way we will bring you retro articles about previous releases, interviews with the man himself, and one or two exclusives on the brand new single from Limahl, ‘1983’.
For today’s article we go back in time to 2006, and an appearance at a German music festival.
June 17th 2006 saw Limahl perform at the Dortmund 80’s festival. The venue was the Dortmund Westfalenhalle which was being sponsored by football governing body FIFA as a part of fanunterhaltung (Fan Entertainment), an integral part of the German 2006 World Cup celebrations. Tickets for the event were a mere €23 as a result of this sponsorship, for which you were rewarded with (amongst other things) five top 80’s acts. Howard Jones was also on the bill, as were Alphaville and Euro acts Sandra and Bad Boys Blue.
Here are some photos of the event, courtesy of German webzine http://www.terrorverlag.de
Copyright Photo: Karsten Thurau
Limahl opened his set with his then current single release, the Thorsten Brötzmann produced ‘Tell Me Why’ and performed a set that included both Too Shy and Never Ending Story. There were other songs in the setlist from acts such as Soft Cell and Depeche Mode, as well as new material such as ‘Still in Love’, before Limahl went down to meet and greet the crowd.
The full setlist on the day was:
* Tell Me Why
* Too Shy
* Love is Blind
* You to Me Are Everything
* Never Can Say Goodbye
* The Way to Your Heart
* Still in Love
* Never Ending Story
* Instrumental interlude
* Just Can’t Get Enough
* Tainted Love
* Tell Me Why (Encore)
The 3,000 strong crowd were indeed treated to a fabulous set!
For more information on this and other events, please visit http://www.terrorverlag.de the premiere German Webzine!
So, has that wet your appetite yet? Limahl’s brand new single, ‘1983’, will be in store on January 10th. Please remember to order your copy and make it a huge success!
http://www.7digital.com/artists/limahl/1983/
http://www.hmvdigital.com/artist/limahl/1983
http://www.amazon.co.uk/1983/dp/B006K6NXRU
2012 KajaFax
Happy Goo Year!
Happy Goo Year!!
We’d like to wish you all a very peaceful and happy New Year.
Please stay with us into 2012 for more news and features about KajaGooGoo and all band member projects.
If you’d like to write a feature for the site, please email us at the address in the Contacts page, we’d love to hear from you.
Thank you so much for all your support in 2011 and for all your comments and interest, the only reason we continue with the site is becuase you keep reading it.
Love, best wishes and signing out for 2011,
Steve & Steve xx
2011 KajaFax
KajaFax Treasure Hunt Competition End
KajaFax Treasure Hunt Competition End
Our December Treasure Hunt Competition is now officially CLOSED!
Many thanks for all your entries, we are delighted to have a bunch of correct entries in this year and we are so glad some of you took the time to have a really good go at this and end up with the correct answer.
We know it was a tough one this year, even if you had a go but couldn’t quite get there, a big thanks for trying.
Stay tuned, we will be announcing the winners very soon.
2011 KajaFax
kajafax.co.uk 