Limahl Sings KajaGooGoo CD Amnesty
Limahl of KajaGooGoo!
It’s not an uncommon thing to find a CD of Limahl performing the hits of KajaGooGoo. What is an uncommon thing is finding two with the same cover art!
There seems to be a multitude of these compilations out there with so many covers, we’d love to track them all down!
Above is a scan of one particular style of this release, submitted by theraggedtiger and below the actual CD packaging itself:
Have you got a different version?
Send it over to us at the usual address on the contacts page and we’ll feature it on the site. Let’s get collecting!!
2011 KajaFax
Limahl’s Solo Singles Maybe This Time
Limahl’s Solo Singles – ‘Maybe This Time’
After taking a break from recording towards the end of the eighties, Limahl resumed his solo career in the early 1990’s, releasing his first album since ‘Colour All My Days’ back in 1986.
‘Love is Blind’ was co-written and co-produced by Limahl and released in 1992.
The second of the four single releases from the album was ‘Maybe This Time’, written by Limahl and Steve Pigott.
Check out this performance clip of the song here.
Video courtesy of filia69:
KajaFax will be writing more about Limahl and his solo works in future posts, so please keep watching!
2011 KajaFax
KajaFax Interviews Glenn Kelly
KajaFax Interviews Glenn Kelly
I caught up with ex Kajagoogoo manager Glenn Kelly earlier this week to chat about the band and to find out a bit more about the man himself.
Glenn, many thanks for agreeing to take part in this interview with KajaFax, it’s fantastic to have this opportunity to ask you some questions.
My pleasure Steve.
Can you take us back to how you originally met the band, and how you then went on to become their manager?
Its all goes back to a Christmas Party back in 2001 in Maidenhead. I was at a party at Howard Jones’ house and I didn’t really know many people. They were all music types and such. Howard’s wife Jan introduced me to another person who didn’t know many people – Ann Beggs ( Nick’s wife). We hit it off and chatted the night away in Howard’s kitchen – where all good parties end up. I stayed in touch with Ann and when I was working in Leighton Buzzard, Nick needed some help with his computer, so Ann asked me over. From then on the Beggs’ have not been able to get rid of me!! Through my friendship with Ann and Nick, I met Steve Askew at the Hotel bar for Retrofest. Nick introduced us and we quickly found common interests. Naturally at the same hotel I met Stuart Neale, who I admire a lot, not just as a keyboard player but also as an individual. He is such a nice guy.
Fast forward to 2008, and it was over a cup of tea that Steve Askew informed me that Kajagoogoo had reformed and were playing at the following Retrofest. I was drafted in to build the band’s website, along with my friend and designer Steve Cripps.
Nick invited me along to their first photo-shoot in 27 years, which is where I met Jez and Limahl. I thought Jez looked like a great candidate for a James Bond Villain, but he is way too nice for that!
I was “helping out” at the Stables gig in Wavendon when it was announced that the band were short of a manager. I was asked to take on the role, and tour manager the band in Poland, Germany and the UK. I was very honoured to be asked and still feel proud of it to this day.
You were at the helm when the band toured in 2009. How was that tour for you, was it everything you hoped it would be? Looking back would you have changed anything?
Well, I never actually went on the UK tour!! Prior to the tour we were going to places such as Poland and doing GMTV etc. During these visits, we all agreed that the next step was to do the first UK tour in 27 years. A tour which I put together, sourced and contracted – all whilst holding down a day job. It was very difficult at times due to “internal politics” but I persevered and we had the first tour in 27 years. I learned a lot from all that. The only thing I would have changed is not leaving before the tour, and to see the tour out with the boys.
But on the tours of Poland and Germany, it was amazing. I have great memories of ordering chips for the guys in the poshest hotel in Poland that only did a-la-cart food. Hanging out with Jez and Stu at a very strange club in Sopot and to having Sam Fox protect me from a very strange prostitute who somehow made her way to the after-show party and made a beeline for me!
Oh, and whilst in Sopot, I sang a duet with Kim Wilde in the Hotel lounge. We did Enjoy The Silence (with Steve Power on piano).
Your style of management involved a lot of interaction with the fans including regular site updates, newsletters and a strong personal forum presence. Did you feel the fans responded well to that level of input from yourself? I know it’s something we certainly all miss now.
Yes! I have run Howard Jones’ website and mailing list for nearly 12 years, and I learned a lot from the fans about what they want to know. As a fan of Howard’s music, I put a lot of what I would expect from a manager into what I do, and it was so easy to translate that into the Kajagoogoo work. The internet is an amazing medium, which without, would never have seen Kajagoogoo reform and have the publicity that they had. The internet opened the world’s eyes again to Kajagoogoo, and through that, I have met some wonderful people around Europe and other parts of the world, people I consider to be friends.
I believe that you parted company with the band in 2009. Was this a mutual decision or was this pushed upon you?
Internal politics dictated my decision.
Can you confirm whether you are still involved in the management of the band and if not, would you do it all again if asked? If you are not, do the band even have a manager now?
I’m not involved with Kajagoogoo directly. I formed a business partnership with Steve Askew – Red Dot Music, and we have released some of Kajagoogoo’s work through our label. I personally don’t feel that managing Kajagoogoo again would be in mine or Steve’s best interests as our time is taken up with other artists such as Gemma Aguilar and Lu Cozma.
As a band, how were Kajagoogoo to work with?
Interesting, stimulating and challenging. For the most part it was good fun!
Outside of the management relationship, are you a fan of the band’s music?
Well, I was never really a fan. I knew Too Shy of course, but I remember Saturday Superstore where Nick was being interviewed about taking on the role of front man. I Liked Big Apple and Lions Mouth but after that never really had any contact with their music until I met Nick in 2001.
It’s been a quiet last year for the band, can you see this changing any time in the foreseeable future?
Well, you would have to ask them that! 😉
You’ve been involved with other artists too including Howard Jones, what does that involve?
Blood, Sweat and Tears!! I have tour managed Howard on several occasions including Italy and Egypt. I was a roadie for him on a very long journey to the far north of Sweden. But mostly I look after his web interests and am his single point of contact with his supporters. I am also in the process of compiling his Digital Remasters, which is a great honour – to go down memory lane and get access to the original masters…
What could we find Glenn doing outside of music, what’s the day job and what are your hobbies and interests?
I look after Intellectual Property & IT System Security for a very big American company located in Cambridge, UK. My hobbies include Music, Apple Computers, Rock Climbing. I can be found every year at Silverstone for the British F1 Grand Prix, though this year I will be at Rhythms of The World Music Festival with Steve Askew, Lu Cozma and Gemma Aguilar. I like tea and Cadbury Cream Eggs. I love travel and my favourite places are South Africa and Sweden.
What sort of music do you enjoy listening to?
It varies really. I’m a huge Marillion fan, both with Fish and Steve Hogarth. I adore Peter Gabriels work. I think if I ever met him I would be a gibbering wreck….lol. Howard Jones of course. I like synth pop such as Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, and all that. But I also am partial to a bit of Mylène Farmer, Duncan Sheik, Pink Floyd – if its good, and it stands out to me, then anything goes really.
Let’s move on to talk about Red Dot Music. Can you tell us a bit about what Red Dot is all about?
Red Dot Music is a music production and management company that I formed with Steve Askew. We have the facilities to record artists and bands and help promote their music through digital and physical release. Technically an indie label with a bit more oomph!
We also manage artists as well. Actually that’s my job. Steve is the one who twists the knobs and pushes the buttons.
It must be quite a blast to work with Steve, do you guys actually get any work done?!
If you class work as boiling the kettle, making tea, drinking tea and then eating McVities Dark Chocolate Digestives, then yes, we get a lot of that done! Working with Steve is great fun.
Congratulations on signing Lu Cozma to Red Dot. She’s an incredible artist and I’m really looking forward to seeing her perform in July. She must be a joy to work with?
Lu is great – love her to bits. I had never really known her before we went to Italy in December. We have a few festivals lined up with her this year so it will be great doing them with her. www.lucozma.com
And congratulations again with Gemma Aguilar, another superb signing, you must be very proud and excited to see how she grows in the business?
I’m blown away actually by the interest and response from the media and other people in the industry. Her music talent is ever evolving and she is not yet 17!! We are helping her on her way to be a big thing ( hopefully ) in the UK and Europe. ( www.gemmaaguilar.com ) we have her debut EP due out in the summer. She is very talented.
Gemma Aguilar Photo Courtesy of Phil Hackett / Red Dot Music
Working with a new artist like Gemma must be a thousand miles apart from working with an established band like Kajagoogoo. Which do you prefer, both must be a huge challenge in their own right!?
Absolutely. With Gemma, you can take all of what you have learned with established artists and put that to good work. The same is also mirrored. There are opportunities that you take from working with new artists that can also be applied to the established ones.
If the band called you up today and said “Glenn, let’s get into Red Dot Studios for a new album and release it on Red Dot Music”, would you be in?
Of course, but Steve would be tweaking – I would do the admin side of things to get the music released.
And if you had to call a percentage chance of that ever happening?!
50/50 – never say never!
Where do you see the future for Kajagoogoo as a band?
That all depends on the guys themselves.
How often do you read KajaFax, and what are your thoughts on not just the site content but the very existence of the site?
I tend to go in through articles on Facebook if they appeal to me. I think its great that fans create a portal for the fans. I did the same thing back in 1999 when I created Howard Jones Europe website, which was seen as direct competition to the Official site. If you have a passion about something – then don’t let anyone hold you back. KajaFax has something for everyone, and not just what record labels or bands want you to read. Its very retro, but current at the same time. Keep up the good work!
Glenn, many thanks for taking the time to interview with us, it’s been a pleasure.
Well, can I have my rider agreement now please? £500 for 21 questions, with a bonus of a box of Twinings English Breakfast and a double pack of McVities Dark Chocolate Digestives!! 😉
2011 KajaFax
Limahl Interview with BOP Magazine 1984
Limahl interview with BOP Magazine 1984
BOP magazine is a monthly American pop culture and entertainment magazine. The magazine first went into publication in 1983, and is still in publication to this day.
http://www.bopandtigerbeat.com/
The following is a transcript of an interview conducted by BOP journalist and co-founder Julie Jenkins with Limahl, at around the time that his debut solo album, ‘Don’t Suppose…’ was released:
On a sunny afternoon in Hollywood, BOP’s editor Julie met with 27-year-old singer Limahl. They spent an afternoon of candid conversation about his leaving the band Kajagoogoo to pursue a solo career with his new single, ‘The Never Ending Story’, off his new album, Don’t Suppose….
BOP: Can you tell me about the first song off your new album, Don’t Suppose?
Limahl: It’s called ‘The Never Ending Story’ from the film of the same name. It’s a love song – quite a romantic sort of song – but it’s also a dance song too. It’s the kind of song that will appeal to everyone in the family. That’s real success when Mums and Dads like you too!
BOP: Did you like the movie ‘The Never Ending Story’?
Limahl: I saw it when I was in South Africa and it was lovely – very much a children’s film. There were two kids sitting in front of me in the theatre, and just to hear what they were saying was amazing – they were so taken by the whole thing!
BOP: After you left Kajagoogoo in 1983, were you scared to do your first solo album?
Limahl: I was scared, but it became much more of a challenge, especially since Kajagoogoo was so successful. But I love ‘Don’t Suppose’ and as I was working on it, there was never a moment when I thought “this is going to be a bad album – I’m not going to be happy with it”. It really came together well.
BOP: Are you frightened about performing solo?
Limahl: Not really. I felt kind of constricted with Kajagoogoo because they never thought as theatrically as I did. I’m much more of an entertainer – a showbiz person. I’ve never really been a rock ‘n’ roller. I really want to put on a concert that will be remembered. People give up an evening of their life to come and spend it with you – they pay for that, so it’s got to be really good! Otherwise forget it – they’ll never come and see you again!
Bop: What about critical reviews of your concerts or songs – do you take them personally?
Limahl: Not anymore – I stopped when critics were proved wrong a few times. The British music press can be really cruel. They personally attacked me. It wasn’t constructive criticism and it really hurt me. The press can sometimes tear you to pieces and it’s kind of upsetting. But BOP is honest – it’s a good magazine and I will read and enjoy it because you’re providing what a record buying person wants.
BOP: When you’re travelling and you’re away from home for a long time, is there something you always bring with you on the road?
Limahl: My hairdryer because it keeps my hair spikey! (laughs) Actually, I usually travel with my protein drink because I’m a vegetarian and it can be a problem finding something I can eat. The drink is a powder and I mix it with milk to make a health drink. It’s filled with lots of protein and calcium. I also bring my diary – a business diary – to keep track of addresses and my appointments.
BOP: Being away from home as often as you are, what kind of effect does it have on your friendships?
Limahl: It’s difficult – very difficult. Sometimes it can be so hard to keep a friendship going while I travel and work so much, but a good friend will understand. My real close friends know I have to work when I’m away, and they just call me when I get back.
BOP: Is it difficult to tell who your real friends are?
Limahl: Na, not really. I’m a sensitive person so I can sense when someone’s really my friend or if they’re just hanging around me because I’m a singer.
BOP: Have you always wanted to be an entertainer?
Limahl: Oh yeah! It wasn’t a fad with me at all. I always wanted to sing. Right from the age of four I played records and I would spend all of my money buying albums! I’d be in the house listening to them while all the other kids in the neighbourhood were playing football and stuff like that. I’ve just always wanted to sing.
BOP: Do you think there’s a difference between your real life and the way the public thinks you live?
Limahl: The public really only sees the glamorous side most of the time. When you’re on TV you look nice – with the make-up on and your hair done and good lighting, you’re bound to! It is a very glamorous business and I love that aspect of it!
BOP: Like Cyndi Lauper, you’ve had your mom in your videos. Is that important to you?
Limahl: I just like sharing what I do with my Mum, Cynthia, since she always wanted to be a movie star! My Dad, Eric, won’t do them as he’s not as interested. He’s a miner – a real down to earth working class man. I didn’t get along too well with my father, actually, until I moved away from home when I was 16 years old because he was so strict. He’d make me come home early at night – you know, the usual stuff. But we’re great now. We get on really well.
BOP: If you could live out any fantasy, what would it be?
Limahl: I think I would like to travel through space. I really like science fiction. But it would have to be like it is in the movies – the way it’s all technical and really sci-fi and wonderful!
BOP: Is there anything you consider your most prized possession?
Limahl: Oh dear, that’s difficult! Well, I would have to say all of my discs – I’m very proud of all of my records!
2011 KajaFax
KajaFax Recommends NetRadioUK
KajaFax Recommends…..
KajaFax would like to acknowledge, recommend, and pay thanks to internet radio station ‘Net RadioUK’, and in particular, DJ Marty Dee Donovan.
This is internet radio at its finest and online right now!
Tune into Marty’s show now and every Tuesday for the best in classic hits and hot new releases. And if things couldn’t get any better, they love Kajagoogoo too!
To listen now, follow this link and click the ‘listen live’ option:
Twitter users, for all the latest information, be sure to follow:
@DJMartydee
@Net_Radio_UK
Kajagoogoo – The Montreux ‘Rose d’Or’ Festival, 1984
by theraggedtiger
Montreux is a municipality located on the north east shore of Lake Geneva, at the foot of the Swiss Alps. The ‘Rose d’Or’ or ‘Golden Rose’ Festival draws together the best of the year’s new music and entertainment, showcasing it in one of Europe’s most stunningly beautiful settings. The festival is televised by ‘Télévision Suisse Romande’, and is networked to broadcasters all over Europe.
The golden age of the festival was most certainly in the 1980’s, when it became for many, a defining event in the musical calendar.
The festival was traditionally held in May, and attracted the European media ‘en masse’. The UK was usually represented by the likes of Radio 1 disc jockeys Gary Davies and Peter Powell, with the event being broadcast in the UK by the BBC.
The chart topping line-up at that time would typically feature acts such as Duran Duran, Culture Club, Spandau Ballet and Howard Jones. Some acts made quite an impression, most notably ‘Queen’, who as usual made their appearance at the event something to remember. Freddie Mercury thought Montreux to be so special that he made it his home, where there now stands a statue in his honour.
The festival did however attract much criticism, as most of the acts performing lip synched to a backing track! Tut tut…
Kajagoogoo played the festival in 1984. KajaFax is unaware of the full set list, but we do know that it included ‘The Lion’s Mouth’ and ‘Turn Your Back on Me’. For those who want to re-live the experience, here is what appears to be the only available clip from that 1984 appearance, filmed in the grounds of the ‘Chateau de Chillon as pictured above.
Ironically, the festival was moved from Montreux to Lucerne in the early 2000’s…
2011 KajaFax
Shouldn’t Do That Limited Edition Gatefold
It’s always a pleasure to see vinyl, especially when it’s a superb piece of limited edition Kaja memorabilia.
Here we have a limited edition two disc 7″ gatefold release of ‘Shouldn’t Do That’ and this was of course, a single by the three piece band when they were known as ‘Kaja’.
This single is also noteable due to the fact it was the only track to be released as a single from the wonderful third album, ‘Crazy People’s Right to Speak’.
The track listing on this release is:
Shouldn’t Do That
Charm of a Gun
Hurricane
Whatever You Want
This track also has a fantastic video and we shall finish on that today after saying thanks to theraggedtiger for sending in these photos of his vinyl.
Video courtesy of emimusic:
2011 KajaFax
KajaFax about Nick Beggs Pt3
The KajaFax about Nick Beggs – Part Three
Welcome to the final part of our brief insight into the career of Nick Beggs. We resume the tale from where part two left off…
Nick had been busy. Very busy indeed. He had recorded and played live with artists as diverse as Right Said Fred, Rik Waller, ABC, Iona, and John Paul Jones, and despite all of that had even found the time to do some more lecturing work. Then, one day in 2003, there was a knock at the door. It was VH-1 Television, they had video cameras, and they were using words such as ‘Kajagoogoo’ and ‘reunions’…..both in the same sentence!
“This is very sweet…..I’ve always been into this” was Nick’s response.
Surprisingly, VH-1 achieved the impossible. For now at least.
What went on behind the scenes at that gig is a topic that ‘KajaFax’ dares only to speculate. For fans though, we had hope. All five guys, together and performing on the same stage. Could the ‘Scala’ become a latter day ‘Embassy Club’?
Well, not quite…
Video courtesy of Kajagoogoomusic:
The reunion was short lived, and Nick returned to session playing and touring, notably recording sessions for amongst others, Emma Bunton on her ‘Life in Mono’ album.
He also found the time to work alongside Steve Askew with girl band ‘Industrial Salt’.
Video courtesy of seelenfluesterin:
It was shortly after those sessions that Kajagoogoo as a three piece were again back in business, playing Retrofest 2007. The band also released their first single since 1985, ‘Rocket Boy’.
By 2008, Bradley Snelling, the Retrofest organizer, has finished the job started by VH-1 in 2003 and Kajagoogoo were back!
The subsequent tour of the UK and Europe is all very fresh in our minds….we loved it!
…and we are now pretty much up to date!
https://kajafax.co.uk/2011/04/21/bradley-snelling-retrofest-and-reunions/
What is next in the career of Nick Beggs? He has recently toured (again) with Kim Wilde, and has also toured extensively with Howard Jones. His future activities are, as yet, unknown to us here at KajaFax.
One thing is for sure – the Beggion isn’t idle for long, and one day soon, Kajagoogoo fans worldwide will again have something to look forward to!
In an interesting twist, Nick’s former signing ‘Let Loose’ are also back in business, recently releasing an album called ‘Paint it Gold’.
http://www.richieletloose.co.uk/
You can’t keep a good act down!
Previous Parts:
https://kajafax.co.uk/2011/04/27/kajafax-about-nick-beggs-pt2/
https://kajafax.co.uk/2011/04/24/kajafax-about-nick-beggs-pt1/
2011 KajaFax
KajaGooGoo, Watford and Baileys Nightclub
Back in 1984 following the success of the ‘Islands’ tour, Kajagoogoo took up residency for a series of six gigs at ‘Baileys’ nightclub in Watford, Hertfordshire. The gigs took place between the 15th and 20th of October 1984, and were promoted both locally and also through fan club publication ‘KajaFax’ (the original publication from which this website lends its name). Check out the ticket prices – a far cry from the prices charged today!
Baileys’ was a well established and incredibly popular nightclub, located centrally in Watford town centre. The original building, the ‘Plaza by the Pond’ was built in 1929 and by 1936 had been taken over by the Odeon group. The original building was demolished in the 1960’s at which point it became the ‘Top Rank’ suite. As the ‘Top Rank’ club, the venue later to be known as ‘Baileys’ attracted many first rate performers, with artists such as Genesis, Status Quo, Black Sabbath, Roy Orbison and Slade all playing live there at one time or another. The club’s compare, Joshua ‘JJ’ Jones became somewhat of a local celebrity; such was the fame of the club.
Recalling memories from back in the day, Julie Addison, a Watford local and regular patron of the club during those years writes:
“…you ask if I have any memories of Baileys…I have many! I used to go every Wednesday night without fail. We never had a boring night. I wonder how many people will recall the good times we had…the headline act at Baileys and a prawn cocktail followed by a T-bone steak n’ chips were the height of gastronomic sophistication at Fagin’s Grill…”
The glory days at Baileys were not set to continue however, as the club went into decline, ultimately being re-branded ‘Paradise Lost’, ‘Kudos’, and ‘Destiny’, all to no avail.
To the present day… revamped, rebranded, and renamed ‘Oceana’, the club formerly known as Baileys has been given a new lease of life, now forming part of a national nightclub chain. It boasts six bars, two dance floors, and a capacity crowd of 2,500.
A far cry from ’84, and the days of those long forgotten gigs….. 
KajaFax knows that one or two of its readers (you know who you are!) attended those shows.
We look forward to your comments!
2011 KajaFax
KajaGooGoo then and Now!
Now That’s What I Call….a great idea! – Kajagoogoo then and ‘Now!’
by theraggedtiger
The series of ‘Now That’s What I Call Music!’ compilation albums began their highly successful run back in 1983, and quite amazingly are still in production, some 28 years later! The series is currently on its staggering 78th volume!
No doubt that every KajaFax reader has at some time or another owned at least one.
Since its launch in December 1983, the ‘Now!’ brand has amassed over 100 million album sales, a remarkable achievement by any standards. The original idea was conceived by two Virgin Records executives, searching for a way to recycle hit singles and thus generate additional revenue for the company. What was to unfold over the next quarter of a century would indicate that they probably met their original objectives! The series supposedly took its name and logo from a 1920’s Danish meat advertising poster, which showed a pig listening to a whistling cockerel. The pig became the ‘Now!’ series’ mascot – at least for a while.
Kajagoogoo & Limahl were very much a part of the preliminary success of the ‘Now!’ albums, and their hits appeared on all of the earlier volumes of the series, with ‘Too Shy’, ‘Only For Love’, ‘Big Apple’, ‘The Lion’s Mouth’, ‘Too Much Trouble’, ‘Turn Your Back on Me’ and ‘Never Ending Story’ all making it onto the first four releases.
The ‘Now!’ franchise also produced a fine selection of video and Laserdisc compilations, many of which are now collectors pieces.
Video courtesy of nowmusic25:
It is no wonder that in 2008 when ITV Television commissioned a show to celebrate the success of that inaugural 1983 album that they invited Kajagoogoo to perform.
http://www.itv.com/documents/doc/Now%20that’s%20what%20I%20call%201983%20Press%20info.doc
For those who missed it, here is that clip:
Now. That is what I call music.
2011 KajaFax
kajafax.co.uk 