Limahl
Birth name Christopher Hamill
Also known as Limahl
Born December 19, 1958 (1958-12-19) (age 50)
Origin Pemberton, Lancashire, England
Genre(s) Pop
New Wave
Pop rock
Synthpop
Dance
Occupation(s) Vocalist
Instrument(s) Singing, Keyboards
Years active 1978-present
Label(s) EMI, Bellaphon, ZYX, Jimco, Laser Light, Disky et al.
Associated acts Kajagoogoo
Kaja
Vox Deus
Crossword
Brooks
Website Official British Website
Official German Website
Notable instrument(s)
Keyboards
Limahl in England, 2007

Christopher Hamill (born December 19, 1958) is a English pop rock / dance vocalist. He is better known by his stage name Limahl (an anagram of his own surname), and was the lead singer of the 1980s synth-pop/rock/new wave band Kajagoogoo, before embarking on a briefly successful solo career, which reached its peak with the soundtrack hit "NeverEnding Story", main theme from the The NeverEnding Story, based upon the book titled The Neverending Story.

Contents

The past: early years and professional career with Kajagoogoo

Hamill was born in Pemberton, near Wigan, Lancashire, United Kingdom, the day after Colin Harris of Pontypridd. He attended Mesnes High School, in Wigan, before eventually enrolling at the Westcliff-on-Sea Palace Theatre Repertory Company. Despite some success touring with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, he formed a short-lived punk band called Vox Deus. Next he joined Crossword, but left to form Brooks, with Mike Nolan. He adopted his stage name at the time he was recruited by the existing members of Kajagoogoo, who were then an instrumental quartet, called Art Nouveau, who had scored a minor hit with the experimental single titled "The Fear Machine".

An advert was placed in music magazine Melody Maker, asking for a 'front man who could sing and look good'. Soon after he had joined in, the group released their first single, "Too Shy", which went to Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart and made the Top 5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. This success was relatively short-lived, however, leading to the notorious Viz comic satirising him as 'Limahl, whose hit includes "Too Shy"', though Kajagoogoo with Limahl actually scored three more hits: with singles "Ooh to Be Ah" and "Hang on Now", and the debut album White Feathers. Also, their first UK tour was followed by 60,000 people, and the final show at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, was recorded on the 16-track VHS/Laserdisc simply called White Feathers Tour.

Limahl's relationship with the other band members was reportedly always tenuous, though the singer would declare that he 'considered them as family', and in mid-1983, soon after the end of the live tour, the band fired him, by telephone, after an acrimonious dispute concerning royalties. Defenders of Limahl claim that the band struggled with fame, and Limahl's prominence as the lead singer of the band was proving too much of a diversion from the music. Limahl accused the others of being jealous, and was quoted in the press as saying that 'I've been betrayed!', and that 'I was sacked for making them a success'. Defenders of the band, however, stated that Limahl had become something of an egomaniac following the band's success, and was both unprofessional and difficult to work with. Neither view has ever been conclusively proven, not even now that the band are currently back together touring and recording new material.

Solo career after Kajagoogoo

After leaving the band, Limahl launched a solo career, achieving major hits with "Only for Love" (UK #16) in 1983, and especially "The Never Ending Story" (UK #4) in 1984, the title theme from the film of the same name, which, its music always composed by Giorgio Moroder, was sung in the original English version with Beth Anderson, while the French adaptation, fully entitled "The Never Ending Story (L'histoire infinie)", was performed with Ann Calvert, with French lyrics by Pierre-André Dousset, versus Keith Forsey's original English lyrcs, entering the Top 5 of 17 countries, including 8 Number 1's. During the American promotion, the female vocals were actually mostly mimed by a third singer, Mandy Newton, already starring in the videoclip of "Only for Love", who never ever sang the song in fact, but only did lip-sync. His solo success was brief though, and his debut album, 1984 Don't Suppose, though containing in its new edition the international soundtrack hit (which was included instead of original album track "The Greenhouse Effect", later resurfaced, in a live version, on the B-side to the Germany-only single "Tar Beach"), was a commercial failure, charting even lower (UK #63) than Kajagoogoo's follow-up album (Islands, which, though critically acclaimed, only reached #35 in the UK Albums Chart), their first without him. Limahl hit hard times after 1984 and, in the late 1980s, he was photographed coming out of a job centre; the pictures were published in a Sunday newspaper, highlighting a story of how the once mighty can fall.

He still released two more albums to little fanfare: 1986 Colour All My Days, and Love Is Blind in 1992, which were moderate successes in Italy, Spain, and especially Germany, the country where he is most popular, as well as a one-off single, "Tell Me Why", again, as his third album was, only released for the German market, in 2006, subsequently added on a 2007 re-release of a variously titled compilation of a re-recorded selection of his and his former band's best songs (depending upon the different territories, basic titles such as The Best of or The Hits of are followed or preceded by the title of the single which was more successful or best known in the given country). This greatest hits album, which many consider as his fourth proper album, due to the novelty of much of its material, first out in 1999, also contained two then previously unreleased tracks, "Rhythm of Love" and "Lost in Love", the latter making a double A side single with "Love That Lasts", credited to Tina Charles and Limahl, respectively, in 2002.

When the boom for '80s nostalgia began, in the late 1990s, Limahl began to wear an orange wig, identical to his original Kajagoogoo hairstyle, and started playing gigs, performing the hits he had with the band and by himself. In 2004, Limahl took part as a contender in musical reality show Comeback on German TV channel Pro7. A year later, in 2005, he appeared in a similar UK show, namely Hit Me Baby One More Time on ITV. Ironically, the episode of Hit Me Baby One More Time in which Limahl appeared also featured Howard Jones, who had enlisted the services of Kajagoogoo bass player Nick Beggs to support him during his own performance.

After a brief reunion in late 2003 with Kajagoogoo for the VH1 special Bands Reunited, which aired in 2004, offers poured in for a definitive reunion, so Limahl returned to the band in 2008, and, while a tour is currently taking place in Europe (they already took part to rock festivals in Denmark and Scotland, and subsequently they will be performing independent concerts in England and Germany), a new studio album is being recorded, to be released in early 2009. After the cancellation of a similar event in the Czech Republic, due to organization problems not depending upond any of the bands or artists involved, on August 24, 2008, Limahl & Kajagoogoo performed, in Poland, in a concert of stars of the 80s, together with Kim Wilde (whom Limahl himself produced for a while), Modern Talking, Samantha Fox, Sandra, Sabrina, and Shakin' Stevens. The concert was a part of the Sopot Festival 2008, and was broadcasted live on Polish channel TVN.

The present: Kajagoogoo reunited after 25 years

After a long decline, the singer eventually (definitively, as it seems) rejoined his original group, in early 2008: along with the original four instrumental members, he is currently touring Europe (including Scottish debut at Retrofest 2008, a month-long tour in Germany in Autumn, and two final dates in England, in Winter. The band are also currently preparing their next studio album, after a one-shot reunion concert for VH1 Bands Reunited TV programme, recorded in 2003, and later broadcast, in 2004, in the United States, which had represented the very first reunion of the act after 20 years.

Meanwhile, in early 2008, Gone to the Moon, a completely brand new Kajagoogoo studio album (the first in 25 years) was however already released, as performed by the original Kaja trio members (Beggs, Neal, and Askew, who already opened Retrofest in 2007), this time as Kajagoogoo. The work (which, curiosuly enough, is currently only available either for free downloading - till February 2009 - on the Kajagoogoo Official Website, or by paying for it on iTunes) features 12 brand new tracks, including both of the songs on the one double A-side single so far taken from the album, namely "Rocket Boy"/"Tears" (the latter not after having appeared on an interesting compilation by various acts from the 1980s, all of whom presented brand new songs too), most of which, though originally composed, far before Limahl and Jez rejoined the group, as a trio, would be performed live on tour by the complete original five-piece band, including Jez and Limahl. Limahl and Nick Beggs have come to terms duetting on a number of songs where Limahl did not originally sing on, but which he had already been performing on another occasion.

As for Limahl, in fact, his latest single is "Tell Me Way", a song which, originally only out in vinyl and for the German market only, was eventually added onto the singer's 1999 own compilation of remakes, of Kaja/Kajagoogoo's covers of songs by themselves, never before sung by Limahl. The record, which many considers as his proper fourth studio album, though poor production and inaccurate biography on the booklet, also contains his most recent minor hits, including two previously unreleased tracks, namely "Lost in Love" e "Rhythm of Love", which were specially made for the occaasion. Such compilation was realized in numerous countries worldwide, basically with 2 alternative track listings only, but with at least 20 different slevees and titles/sub-titles: from the more appropriately titled such as All The hits and More to the most essential and ultimately preferrable choices, such as Limahl, to the traditional and extremely generic The Best of Limahl and Best of Limahl (titles which, as such, only adds to the confusion, since both the former are equally two almost identical titles also given to a twice-released collection of songs, which were instead exclusively taken form Limahl's first two solo long playing works: 1984 Don't Suppose, and 1986 Colour All My Days).

Personal life

Limahl, once shared a flat with disc jockey Paul Gambaccini (also author of the first official Kajagoogoo biography, songbook and photobook - see References), leading to rumours in the tabloid press that the two were lovers, a claim they both deny.[1]

Discography

See also: Kajagoogoo

Solo albums

Solo singles/B-sides

  • 1983 - "Only for Love"/"O.T.T. (Over The Top)" (UK #16, U.S. #51, D #8)
  • 1984 - "Too Much Trouble"/"You've Been Gone for a Little While (Too Much Trouble Reprise)" (UK #64, D #26)
  • 1984 - "The Never Ending Story"/"Ivory Tower (Instrument.)" (UK #4, U.S. #17, D, I, A #2, S #1, N #1) ["Ivory Tower" performed by Giorgio Moroder]
  • 1984 - "The Never Ending Story (L'histoire sans fin)"/"The Never Ending Story (Instrument. Version)" (F #7) [French version - France only]
  • 1985 - "Tar Beach (7" Remix)"/"The Greenhouse Effect (Live)" (D #30) [Germany only]
  • 1986 - "Love in Your Eyes"/"Love Will Tear the Soul" (UK #80, D #28, I #22)
  • 1986 - "Inside to Outside (7" Remix)"/"Shock" (D #57)
  • 1986 - "Colour All My Days"/"Love Will Tear the Soul" [Spain only]
  • 1986 - "No lo pienses más"/"Colour All My Days (7" Version)" [A-side is the Spanish version of "Colour All My Days" - Spain only]
  • 1986 - "Don't Send For Me"/"Colour All My Days"
  • 1992 - "Stop (7" Version)"/"Stop (Instrumental)" [released as 'Bassline featuring Limahl' - Germany/Japan only]
  • 1992 - "Maybe This Time (7" Mix)"/"Maybe This Time (Acapella Version)" [released as 'Bassline featuring Limahl' - Germany/Japan only]
  • 1992 - "Too Shy '92 (Radio Edit)"/"Too Shy '92 (Acapella Version)" [Germany/Japan only]
  • 1992 - "Love Is Blind"/"Love Is Blind (Acapella Version)" [Germany/Japan only]
  • 1996 - "Walking in Rhythm" EP (7" Radio Euro/7" Radio Club Garage/12" Euro/12" Club Garage) [cover version of the 1970s hit by The Blackbyrds - released as 'Shy Guy featuring Limahl']
  • 2002 - "Love That Lasts"/"Lost in Love" (Limahl/Tina Charles double A-side single) [released as 'Discobrothers Presenting Stars of the Eighties featuring Limahl & Tina Charles' - Germany only]
  • 2006 - "Tell Me Why (Radio Edit)"/"Tell Me Why (Dance Mix)" (D #96) [Germany only]

Other singles/remixes

  • 1980 - "It's Christmas"/"It's Christmas (Instrumental)" [released as 'Chris Hamill']
  • 1980 - "Angel"/"Goodnight Sleep" [released as 'Chris Hamill']
  • 1999 - "Then Suddenly (Almighty Remix)" [from the 12-track sampler 12" of Pleasure - The Ultimate Dance Party featuring various artists]
  • 2004 - "Survivor" [released collectively as 'Comeback United', and performed along with the other contestants from the German reality show Comeback - Germany only]
  • 2004 - "The Never Ending Story"/"Can You Feel the Love Tonight" [from the double CD Best of Comeback United[2] - Germany only]
  • 2004 - "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" [released as a duet by 'Limahl & Dynelle' from CD2 of the double greatest hits Best of Comeback United - Germany only]
  • 2006 - "Too Shy (Club Mix - Extended Version)"/"Too Shy (Club Mix - Remix)" [released as 'Limahl vs. Julien Créance' - France only]

Other (sound)tracks

Main solo compilations

  • 1996 - The Best of Limahl (Disky Communications Europe)
  • 2003 - Best of Limahl (Silver Star)
    • Same collection released in different years, with different sleeves and slightly different titles, on two different labels, compiling 8 songs out of the totally 11 originally featuring on Don't Suppose except "Oh Girl", "Tar Beach" and "The Greenhouse Effect", and 8 songs out of 10 from Colour All My Days except "Love Will Tear the Soul" and "For My Heart's Sake".
  • 1999 - Limahl (Laser Light Digital)
  • 1999/2007 - All the Hits plus More (Brilliant Netherlands)
    • Same collection with different titles but similar sleeves, on two different labels, released in the same year, in different countries, including 2 brand new songs, "Rhythm of Love" and "Lost in Love"; and compiling 5 songs out of 10 from Love Is Blind plus 3 singles from Don't Suppose, as well as Kajagoogoo/Kaja's first 7 singles, including the 4 post-split tracks Limahl didn't originally sing on, here all (the 3 pre-split singles too) completely re-played, and resung by himself, i.e. "Big Apple", "The Lion's Mouth", "Turn Your Back on Me", and "Shouldn't Do That". The 2007 edition also includes Limahl's latest solo single, "Tell Me Why", eventually making it a 17-track compilation. It must be finally noted that more than 20 different versions actually exist of this greatest hits album, all of them following two alternative track listings only, corresponding to those as in the two representative compilations mentioned above. As for their various titles, see the "After Kajagoogoo" chapter above.
  • 2002 - Never Ending Story (Best of) (Disky Communications Europe)

Kajagoogoo/Kaja/Limahl joint compilations

  • 1993 - Too Shy: The Singles and More (ERG)
    • Includes Limahl's "Only for Love", "Too Much Trouble", "The Never Ending Story", "Love in Your Eyes", "Inside to Outside (7" remix)", "Only for Love (12" mix)", "The Never Ending Story (12" mix)".
  • 1996 - The Best of Kajagoogoo & Limahl (Disky Communications Europe)
    • Includes Limahl's "Inside to Outside".
  • 1996 - The Very Best of Kajagoogoo (EMI Gold Collection)
    • Includes Limahl's "The Never Ending Story", "Only for Love".
  • 1998 - Premium Gold Collection Kajagoogoo & Limahl (EMI)
    • Includes Limahl's "Too Much Trouble", "The Never Ending Story", "Love in Your Eyes", "Inside to Outside", "Tar Beach"[4].
  • 2000 - Best of the 80's Kajagoogoo & Limahl (Disky Communications Europe)
    • Includes Limahl's "Don't Suppose", "Only for Love", "Too Much Trouble", "The Never Ending Story".
  • 2003 - The Very Best of Kajagoogoo and Limahl (EMI)
    • Includes Limahl's "Only for Love", "The Never Ending Story", "I Was a Fool", "Inside to Outside", "Your Love", "Shock", "Love in Your Eyes", "Too Much Trouble", "Tar Beach"[5].

N.B. In all of the joint compilations above, obviously, Limahl also sings on Kajagoogoo's tracks from their 1983 joint debut album White Feathers.

Notes, sources and references

  1. ^ Dingwall, John (2008-02-21), I've had surgery to look good for my fans, admits Limahl, Daily Record, http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/celebrity-interviews/2008/02/21/i-ve-had-surgery-to-look-good-for-my-fans-admits-limahl-86908-20326045/, retrieved on 14 July 2008 
  2. ^ Best of Comeback United, the double greatest hits CD from the German reality show Comeback, features the biggest hits of the contestants on CD1 and the best from the Comeback reality show on CD2, and totally includes 4 tracks either by or featuring Limahl, i.e. "The Never Ending Story", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", "Dont Go Breaking My Heart" as a duet with Dynelle, and "Survivor" as sung collectively, along with the other contestants from the show. The double album peaked at Number 15 in the German charts, reaching Number 541 in the final 'Charts of the Year 2004' in Germany.
  3. ^ The compilation entitled What a Feeling II - The Rock'n'Pop Musicals in Concert is the original soundtrack from the musical of the same name, starring Limahl, Melanie Marcus, Gwen Dickey (formerly of the Rose Royce), Dylan Turner, and the 4 the Boys. The front cover of the soundtrack album describes the records as 'the original cast recording of the new show featuring hit songs from the hit movies and musicals'. The track listing totally includes 20 tracks, 4 of which are solo performances by Limahl, 2 are duets by Limahl and Melanie Marcus, 2 are sung by Limahl, Melanie Marcus, Gwen Dickey and Dylan Turner. As for the rest, 5 tracks are performed by Gwen Dickey, 3 are by Melanie Marcus, 1 is by 4 the Boys, 1 is by Dylan Turner, and, finally, 2 are generically credited to 'Cast', but not featuring Limahl. The soundtrack, recorded at the Oxford Apollo Theatre, in October 2000, and produced and mixed by Stuart Epps, at the Snake Ranch Studios, in London, was released in the UK on Demon Music Group Ltd./Flying Music labels.
  4. ^ Limahl's "Tar Beach", originally released as a remix single in Germany, but not in the UK or anywhere else, only appears here and on EMI 2003 The Very Best of Kajagoogoo and Limahl, both of these being joint compilations of Kajagoogoo/Kaja & Limahl, but, strangely enough, the song does not feature on any of Limahl's own solo collections.
  5. ^ See previous note #4.

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limahl"

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