Post by ©KAJAMANIA Board Team (Slim K) on May 29, 2004 18:36:25 GMT -5
--------courtesy of www.kajagoogoo.com-----------
well Kajamaniac's no Infos without Beggs!
Nicholas was born to Herby and Joan Beggs on December 15th 1961 in Winslow (Buckinghamshire). Later, they moved with his younger sister Jacqueline, to Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
At school Nick excelled in art and creative writing, twice receiving the school prize for art. Nicks’ first band (at the age of 10) “Johnny and the Martians” comprised of two friends on trumpet and acoustic guitar and Nick on drums. The band broke up at teatime.
At 15 Nick was devastated to learn that his mother had cancer. In 1978 Nick attended 6th form college before going on to Art School. But, once there, he realised he had no desire to complete his studies and wanted to leave in pursuit of a music career. But owing to his mother’s illness and peer pressure, he elected to stay on and continue with his studies.
It was on a sunny Sunday afternoon in 1979 that Nick, Steve, Stuart and Jez met together for the first time for a jamming session and their band ‘Art Nouveau’ was formed.
In November 1979 Nicks’ mother died, without ever hearing her son perform, leaving Nick to care for his 15 year old sister.
After many agents and record companies turned down Art Nouveau, a re-think was in order. The band quickly turned their attentions to finding a new member. Someone dynamic and charismatic. Auditions were held, and eventually Chris Hamill came to the attention of Nick, Steve, Stuart and Jez. He was perfect. Good looking, dynamic, self assured, a writer, a great singer and ambitious. Limahl was born. Nick came up with the name Kajagoogoo, and the blue print for the band was on the table. It was time to leave Leighton Buzzard.
Nick, Steve and Jez all moved into a house in Needham terrace, Kilburn (London) together. Stuart and manager Paul moved into a flat in Belsize Park (London). Limahl moved back to his apartment in Lancaster Gate (London.) With their new status as EMI acquisitions, and now based in London,
Kajagoogoo set about an exhaustive programme of writing and demo’s for their first album 'White Feathers'. The release of the first single, Too Shy, in January 1983 saw the band on a whirlwind promotional tour as the record reached number 1 in the Charts.
However, eventually and sadly, serious problems with Limahl resulted in his dismissal from Kajagoogoo and, following a split with Jez, the three remaining band members reformed as 'Kaja'.
Between 1985 and 1987, Nick focused his attention on writing with various other composers and finally formed Ellis Beggs & Howard in March 1987. The band signed to BMG records that same year and released a single, which was a hit in Germany and Holland. Ellis Beggs and Howard finally split in ’89 and in 1990 Nick joined progressive folk band ‘Iona’. He recorded two albums with them, ‘The Book of Kells’ and ‘Beyond These Shores’.
For Nick the highlight of 1991 was the birth of his beautiful daughter Lula. However, in 1994 Nick’s tumultuous marriage finally came to an end.
He continued working with various artists and bands including 80’s electro pop combo Alpherville, Belinda Carlisle and Led Zeppelin’s bass player and legend, John Paul Jones. In 1996 Nick ran into Howard Jones on a return flight from the USA and an instant friendship was established. Howard invited Nick to tour as part of his band and he remained a fixture in Howard’s’ musical entourage till this day.
Nick became a regular contributor to various guitar publications and is now a staff writer for Bass Guitar Magazine. He has toured and recorded for Right Said Fred, Tina Turner, Steve Howe,
John Paul Jones and Cliff Richard, Tony Hadley, Go West, D-Ream, Kim Wilde, T’Pau, Curiosity Killed the Cat, Nick Hayward, Toyah, China Crisis and also became a full time member of ABC.
During 1998 he turned his attention to studying music and art and obtained a diploma in cartooning and illustration. This was to lead ultimately to an offer from the Cultural Office of Finland, for Nick to make a one-man exhibition of his artwork, and unusual life at the National Library in Tampere. To accompany this Nick wrote an hour of instrumental Chapman Stick music, which he performed at the opening of the exhibition. This work was later to be recorded and released as Nicks’ first solo Chapman Stick album, “Stick Insect.” Nick continued to play solo recitals of his music in Europe and the UK.
During a British tour with Howard Jones, Nick’s attention was caught by a stunning young lady who was to eventually become his second wife, Ann. Nick and Ann had a baby daughter, Willow, in 2001 and in summer of 2003 They were married and Nick became step-father to Olivia, Callum and
Jake. Now there were five! As well as being a wife and mother, Ann runs Nicks’ office and the Kajagoogoo.com web site.
2003 was the year that VH1 were to bring the past to life for Kajagoogoo. The Bands Reunited show captured the attention of millions when it aired in early 2004. The one-off concert, performed by all five original members of Kajagoogoo, was a wonderful experience, but hopes for future tours were dashed when differences between Limahl, Jez and the other band members
re-surfaced. But, Kajagoogoo will be touring in 2004 with their new line-up of
Nick, Steve and Stuart. In 2004 Nick released his second solo Stick album titled The Maverick
Helmsman. Just for the record Nick would like it stated that he is now happier than he has ever been.
peace & love
SLIM K
well Kajamaniac's no Infos without Beggs!
Nicholas was born to Herby and Joan Beggs on December 15th 1961 in Winslow (Buckinghamshire). Later, they moved with his younger sister Jacqueline, to Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.
At school Nick excelled in art and creative writing, twice receiving the school prize for art. Nicks’ first band (at the age of 10) “Johnny and the Martians” comprised of two friends on trumpet and acoustic guitar and Nick on drums. The band broke up at teatime.
At 15 Nick was devastated to learn that his mother had cancer. In 1978 Nick attended 6th form college before going on to Art School. But, once there, he realised he had no desire to complete his studies and wanted to leave in pursuit of a music career. But owing to his mother’s illness and peer pressure, he elected to stay on and continue with his studies.
It was on a sunny Sunday afternoon in 1979 that Nick, Steve, Stuart and Jez met together for the first time for a jamming session and their band ‘Art Nouveau’ was formed.
In November 1979 Nicks’ mother died, without ever hearing her son perform, leaving Nick to care for his 15 year old sister.
After many agents and record companies turned down Art Nouveau, a re-think was in order. The band quickly turned their attentions to finding a new member. Someone dynamic and charismatic. Auditions were held, and eventually Chris Hamill came to the attention of Nick, Steve, Stuart and Jez. He was perfect. Good looking, dynamic, self assured, a writer, a great singer and ambitious. Limahl was born. Nick came up with the name Kajagoogoo, and the blue print for the band was on the table. It was time to leave Leighton Buzzard.
Nick, Steve and Jez all moved into a house in Needham terrace, Kilburn (London) together. Stuart and manager Paul moved into a flat in Belsize Park (London). Limahl moved back to his apartment in Lancaster Gate (London.) With their new status as EMI acquisitions, and now based in London,
Kajagoogoo set about an exhaustive programme of writing and demo’s for their first album 'White Feathers'. The release of the first single, Too Shy, in January 1983 saw the band on a whirlwind promotional tour as the record reached number 1 in the Charts.
However, eventually and sadly, serious problems with Limahl resulted in his dismissal from Kajagoogoo and, following a split with Jez, the three remaining band members reformed as 'Kaja'.
Between 1985 and 1987, Nick focused his attention on writing with various other composers and finally formed Ellis Beggs & Howard in March 1987. The band signed to BMG records that same year and released a single, which was a hit in Germany and Holland. Ellis Beggs and Howard finally split in ’89 and in 1990 Nick joined progressive folk band ‘Iona’. He recorded two albums with them, ‘The Book of Kells’ and ‘Beyond These Shores’.
For Nick the highlight of 1991 was the birth of his beautiful daughter Lula. However, in 1994 Nick’s tumultuous marriage finally came to an end.
He continued working with various artists and bands including 80’s electro pop combo Alpherville, Belinda Carlisle and Led Zeppelin’s bass player and legend, John Paul Jones. In 1996 Nick ran into Howard Jones on a return flight from the USA and an instant friendship was established. Howard invited Nick to tour as part of his band and he remained a fixture in Howard’s’ musical entourage till this day.
Nick became a regular contributor to various guitar publications and is now a staff writer for Bass Guitar Magazine. He has toured and recorded for Right Said Fred, Tina Turner, Steve Howe,
John Paul Jones and Cliff Richard, Tony Hadley, Go West, D-Ream, Kim Wilde, T’Pau, Curiosity Killed the Cat, Nick Hayward, Toyah, China Crisis and also became a full time member of ABC.
During 1998 he turned his attention to studying music and art and obtained a diploma in cartooning and illustration. This was to lead ultimately to an offer from the Cultural Office of Finland, for Nick to make a one-man exhibition of his artwork, and unusual life at the National Library in Tampere. To accompany this Nick wrote an hour of instrumental Chapman Stick music, which he performed at the opening of the exhibition. This work was later to be recorded and released as Nicks’ first solo Chapman Stick album, “Stick Insect.” Nick continued to play solo recitals of his music in Europe and the UK.
During a British tour with Howard Jones, Nick’s attention was caught by a stunning young lady who was to eventually become his second wife, Ann. Nick and Ann had a baby daughter, Willow, in 2001 and in summer of 2003 They were married and Nick became step-father to Olivia, Callum and
Jake. Now there were five! As well as being a wife and mother, Ann runs Nicks’ office and the Kajagoogoo.com web site.
2003 was the year that VH1 were to bring the past to life for Kajagoogoo. The Bands Reunited show captured the attention of millions when it aired in early 2004. The one-off concert, performed by all five original members of Kajagoogoo, was a wonderful experience, but hopes for future tours were dashed when differences between Limahl, Jez and the other band members
re-surfaced. But, Kajagoogoo will be touring in 2004 with their new line-up of
Nick, Steve and Stuart. In 2004 Nick released his second solo Stick album titled The Maverick
Helmsman. Just for the record Nick would like it stated that he is now happier than he has ever been.
peace & love
SLIM K
