Kajagoogoo began life as a prog rock band called Art Nouveau – and then they met singer Chris Hamill who rearranged the letters of his surname and became Limahl.
Given an unseemly leg-up by the attention of their producer (Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran) and then Radio 1 DJ Paul Gambaccini, Kajagoogoo’s debut single, Too Shy, sneaked to #1 in the UK in February 1983.
Following two more Top 20 hits, Ooh To Be Aahand Hang On Now (both riddled withevery 80s cliché imaginable) it was downhill all the way.
By the end of 1983, Limahl had left the group for a similarly ignominious solo career. He did, however, manage one giant hit with Never Ending Story – a glorious slice of Georgio Moroder-written and produced Europop. The one moment of delight really, in this whole sorry saga.
Bassist Nick Beggs took over vocal duties with the band, and immediately prior to the ultimate death of Kajagoogoo in 1984 they called themselves simply Kaja, and were a laughing stock.
Limahl(Chris Hamill)
Vocals
Steve Askew
Guitar
Nick Beggs Bass, vocals
Stuart Croxford Neale Keyboards Jez Strode Drums
Video
You May Also Like
Violent Femmes With their geeky, nervous folk-pop, Violent Femmes became one of the biggest cult bands of the…
Quireboys, The This heavy rock band formed in 1987 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and were known as The Queerboys for…
Candy Harlots Formed in 1987, Australian band Candy Harlots drew inspiration from The New York Dolls and Mötley…
Marine Girls This British quartet was formed by four Hertfordshire school friends: Jane Fox (bass & vocals), her…
Katch 22 Formed in 1964 and hailing from Hackbridge, a suburb in the London Borough of Sutton, this…
April Wine In their first ten years together, Canadian band April Wine went through several changes in style…
Times, The In 1977, Edward Ball formed Television Personalities with fellow Chelsea schoolmate Dan Treacy. They were a ham-fisted…
Red Guitars Formed in 1982, Red Guitars delivered great tunes, had the left-wing political credentials to become NME darlings and…
