Post by ©KAJAMANIA Board Team (Slim K) on Feb 24, 2004 7:41:54 GMT -5
hi Kajamaniac's ... 
,
this one's for you, read, read and read it till you drop!
The Ultimate Story of KajaGooGoo:
Pre-Kajagoogoo: Art Nouveau:
Back then in 1979, Nick Beggs (18), Steve Askew (22), Stuart Neale (19) and Jez Strode (21) formed an progressive instrumental group called 'Art Nouveau' and released one single 'Fear Machine' (there were only 100 copies made so if you have one you are very lucky) while he was in Art school. Nick Beggs recalls, 'Yeah, we actually formed the band in 1979, when it was called Art Nouveau and we had another band which we ran as a money making venture called The Handstands. We used to do pubs and club work."
The band decided to find a lead singer and placed an ad in Melody Maker, interviewed a bunch of people and decided on Chris Hamill (later Limahl-anagrammed his surname Hamill). The new group then started to work, wrote new material, created a new look and got a record deal with EMI through Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes, who was going to produce soon after their first megaseller album "White Feathers".
Kajagoogoo:
Nick Beggs had been working as a dustman in his hometown of Leighton Buzzard after he went to Art school (Nick is an accomplished artist). Nick was credited for coming up with the new band name and eventually settled on Kajagoogoo in November 1981 thinking that if you could market that you could market anything.
In July 1982 Kajagoogoo signed with EMI records. Shortly after, Kajagoogoo released their first single, 'Too Shy'. Produced by Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes, Kajagoogoo's debut single 'Too Shy' hit number one in the U.K. in early 1983; it peaked at number five in the U.S. Billboards.
Shortly after the release of 'Too Shy' they've released two follow ups - "Ooh to Be Ah" and "Hang on Now". Both were Top 15 U.K. hits, yet neither made an impact in the U.S. the way "Too Shy" did, In mid 1983, Kajagoogoo released their first full length album, "White Feathers". (produced by Colin Thurston and Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes)
'Too Shy' soon went Silver followed by Gold. By this time Kajagoogoo was a household name to teenagers. A string of hits and a popular album made the group the most popular group of early 1983. Limahl explains, "... it was mayhem. One appearance on "Top Of The Pops" and I couldn't walk down the street (which wasn't surprising with the hairdo!!). I remember the day after the show was broadcast I popped out to my local store to get some milk or something (as I had done many times before) and I was signing autographs at the cheese counter!! I hadn't even brushed my hair or teeth and I looked like crap and I remember thinking...this is absurd."
Being a 'teeny-bopper' band wasn't what the initial four members had set out to do. The core members felt as though having Limahl in the group was characterizing themselves as just that. In 1984, Despite being at the top of their popularity the band decided to fire Limahl. "They called me up on the phone and fired me, the day after playing a pop concert in Norway to 40,000 people (they didn't like being labeled a teeny band and wrongly concluded that I was to blame, amongst other things)."
From all reports Limahl was also not the easiest person to get along with. He is described by the other members in not so pleasant words. Nick also outlines other problems he had with Limahl, "It started off with a five piece then LIMAHL became quite problematic and on top of that he wanted to take a fifty per cent split for his lyrics and then he said I could take fifty per cent for my lyrics and the others could go without. On top of that he'd been a humungus pain in the arse already (much laughter around the room). Then we split up anyway because enough was enough really." Limahl went on to a lackluster solo career that included "Only Fo Love", "Too Much Trouble" and a huge hit "Neverending Story" from the same names Blockbuster Movie Soundtrack, but never again gained popular status or respect from musicians. Limahl even stepped as low as to re-record some songs that were written and performed by Kajagoogoo after he left.
Kajagoogoo/Kaja (without Limahl):
Kajagoogoo continued with Nick Beggs as the lead vocalist, releasing "Islands" in 1984; it disappeared from the charts quickly. The US version of the album saw the band change names to Kaja, was called "Extra Play" and did not appear on the charts. The album marked the introduction of a new instrument, 'The Chapman Stick' which is a very powerful and versatile piece of equipment. This instrument has played a significant role in Nick Beggs career. As Nick describes, "...as time's progressed I've looked into it (Chapman Stick) more and more when LIMAHL was sacked from KAJAGOOGOO the band said to me if you front the band, because I really didn't want to do it, we'll buy you a Chapman Stick. So I said alright to that and they got me this Chapman Stick and I used it in the second album."
The band released three singles; 'Big Apple', 'The Lions Mouth' and 'Turn Your Back On Me'. and a big Tour.
The album also marked the departure of Jez Strode, the second member to leave in so many albums. Even though the album was not as commercially successful as White Feathers, it saw the band mature and remains a favorite for die-hard fans (Unlike "White Feathers", "Islands/Extra Play" has never been cut to CD).
Kaja (without Jez):
Trying to appear as a more mature band, the remaining band members shortened the name of the band to Kaja in the European market. With the new name and image, they released a single; 'Shouldn't do That' and one album 'Crazy Peoples Right To speak'. The album showed no signs of commercial success and, in 1986, the band decided to go their own separate ways.
Ellis Beggs & Howard:
Nick went on to be in bands such as Ellis Beggs & Howard who got one hit with "Big Bubbles No Troubles" from their only album "Homelands", Iona, and Immac Logic.
Nick also worked with artists such as Gary Numan, Seal, Kim Wilde and Howard Jones. He spent a while as Belinda Carlisle's record manager. Nick has worked with Howard Jones on his last release 'Tomorrow Is Now" and appears in the video and went on tour with Howard accompanying Culture Club and the Human League. Nick cracked a rib while climbing into a fridge in the Human League's dressing room. Why?? Because he's like that! It has been decided that Nick has gone along to provide the entertainment to ease the boredom!! Apologies to Nick Beggs for giving us a laugh at his expense! but he's sure one of the most talented musicians around! in May 2004 Nick will be performing with the 80's legends ABC.
Smalltown Elephants:
Smalltown Elephants, formed by Steve Askew, was signed to Polydor Records in the summer of 1988 and released the single "Walking on Ice" but ran into contractual problems which took an eternity to resolve. With little support from the record company they decided to disband; everyone feeling disillusioned with record companies. Buy their album.
He became also a guitar teacher. You can now find him performing gigs and working at his studio getting rather angry with his PC.
Stuart Crawford Neal went on to produce his own material and has done quite a bit of work for Helen Shapiro. He now has a real job! In his spare time he plays in a band with Steve.
Jez Strode now owns a PA hire company in London.
--------------> [pt. 2] ;D
,this one's for you, read, read and read it till you drop!
The Ultimate Story of KajaGooGoo:
Pre-Kajagoogoo: Art Nouveau:
Back then in 1979, Nick Beggs (18), Steve Askew (22), Stuart Neale (19) and Jez Strode (21) formed an progressive instrumental group called 'Art Nouveau' and released one single 'Fear Machine' (there were only 100 copies made so if you have one you are very lucky) while he was in Art school. Nick Beggs recalls, 'Yeah, we actually formed the band in 1979, when it was called Art Nouveau and we had another band which we ran as a money making venture called The Handstands. We used to do pubs and club work."
The band decided to find a lead singer and placed an ad in Melody Maker, interviewed a bunch of people and decided on Chris Hamill (later Limahl-anagrammed his surname Hamill). The new group then started to work, wrote new material, created a new look and got a record deal with EMI through Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes, who was going to produce soon after their first megaseller album "White Feathers".
Kajagoogoo:
Nick Beggs had been working as a dustman in his hometown of Leighton Buzzard after he went to Art school (Nick is an accomplished artist). Nick was credited for coming up with the new band name and eventually settled on Kajagoogoo in November 1981 thinking that if you could market that you could market anything.
In July 1982 Kajagoogoo signed with EMI records. Shortly after, Kajagoogoo released their first single, 'Too Shy'. Produced by Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes, Kajagoogoo's debut single 'Too Shy' hit number one in the U.K. in early 1983; it peaked at number five in the U.S. Billboards.
Shortly after the release of 'Too Shy' they've released two follow ups - "Ooh to Be Ah" and "Hang on Now". Both were Top 15 U.K. hits, yet neither made an impact in the U.S. the way "Too Shy" did, In mid 1983, Kajagoogoo released their first full length album, "White Feathers". (produced by Colin Thurston and Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes)
'Too Shy' soon went Silver followed by Gold. By this time Kajagoogoo was a household name to teenagers. A string of hits and a popular album made the group the most popular group of early 1983. Limahl explains, "... it was mayhem. One appearance on "Top Of The Pops" and I couldn't walk down the street (which wasn't surprising with the hairdo!!). I remember the day after the show was broadcast I popped out to my local store to get some milk or something (as I had done many times before) and I was signing autographs at the cheese counter!! I hadn't even brushed my hair or teeth and I looked like crap and I remember thinking...this is absurd."
Being a 'teeny-bopper' band wasn't what the initial four members had set out to do. The core members felt as though having Limahl in the group was characterizing themselves as just that. In 1984, Despite being at the top of their popularity the band decided to fire Limahl. "They called me up on the phone and fired me, the day after playing a pop concert in Norway to 40,000 people (they didn't like being labeled a teeny band and wrongly concluded that I was to blame, amongst other things)."
From all reports Limahl was also not the easiest person to get along with. He is described by the other members in not so pleasant words. Nick also outlines other problems he had with Limahl, "It started off with a five piece then LIMAHL became quite problematic and on top of that he wanted to take a fifty per cent split for his lyrics and then he said I could take fifty per cent for my lyrics and the others could go without. On top of that he'd been a humungus pain in the arse already (much laughter around the room). Then we split up anyway because enough was enough really." Limahl went on to a lackluster solo career that included "Only Fo Love", "Too Much Trouble" and a huge hit "Neverending Story" from the same names Blockbuster Movie Soundtrack, but never again gained popular status or respect from musicians. Limahl even stepped as low as to re-record some songs that were written and performed by Kajagoogoo after he left.
Kajagoogoo/Kaja (without Limahl):
Kajagoogoo continued with Nick Beggs as the lead vocalist, releasing "Islands" in 1984; it disappeared from the charts quickly. The US version of the album saw the band change names to Kaja, was called "Extra Play" and did not appear on the charts. The album marked the introduction of a new instrument, 'The Chapman Stick' which is a very powerful and versatile piece of equipment. This instrument has played a significant role in Nick Beggs career. As Nick describes, "...as time's progressed I've looked into it (Chapman Stick) more and more when LIMAHL was sacked from KAJAGOOGOO the band said to me if you front the band, because I really didn't want to do it, we'll buy you a Chapman Stick. So I said alright to that and they got me this Chapman Stick and I used it in the second album."
The band released three singles; 'Big Apple', 'The Lions Mouth' and 'Turn Your Back On Me'. and a big Tour.
The album also marked the departure of Jez Strode, the second member to leave in so many albums. Even though the album was not as commercially successful as White Feathers, it saw the band mature and remains a favorite for die-hard fans (Unlike "White Feathers", "Islands/Extra Play" has never been cut to CD).
Kaja (without Jez):
Trying to appear as a more mature band, the remaining band members shortened the name of the band to Kaja in the European market. With the new name and image, they released a single; 'Shouldn't do That' and one album 'Crazy Peoples Right To speak'. The album showed no signs of commercial success and, in 1986, the band decided to go their own separate ways.
Ellis Beggs & Howard:
Nick went on to be in bands such as Ellis Beggs & Howard who got one hit with "Big Bubbles No Troubles" from their only album "Homelands", Iona, and Immac Logic.
Nick also worked with artists such as Gary Numan, Seal, Kim Wilde and Howard Jones. He spent a while as Belinda Carlisle's record manager. Nick has worked with Howard Jones on his last release 'Tomorrow Is Now" and appears in the video and went on tour with Howard accompanying Culture Club and the Human League. Nick cracked a rib while climbing into a fridge in the Human League's dressing room. Why?? Because he's like that! It has been decided that Nick has gone along to provide the entertainment to ease the boredom!! Apologies to Nick Beggs for giving us a laugh at his expense! but he's sure one of the most talented musicians around! in May 2004 Nick will be performing with the 80's legends ABC.
Smalltown Elephants:
Smalltown Elephants, formed by Steve Askew, was signed to Polydor Records in the summer of 1988 and released the single "Walking on Ice" but ran into contractual problems which took an eternity to resolve. With little support from the record company they decided to disband; everyone feeling disillusioned with record companies. Buy their album.
He became also a guitar teacher. You can now find him performing gigs and working at his studio getting rather angry with his PC.
Stuart Crawford Neal went on to produce his own material and has done quite a bit of work for Helen Shapiro. He now has a real job! In his spare time he plays in a band with Steve.
Jez Strode now owns a PA hire company in London.
--------------> [pt. 2] ;D
