Limahl Bounces Back

After his much publicised break with Kajagoogoo, ex-lead singer Limahl has come bouncing back with a solo single, Only For Love. It marks the start of a new, independent career as he told Look-ins's Bob Barton…

On his new single

"Only For Love was written before my split from Kajagoogoo. I went to see a play called A Patriot For Me which set me thinking about the fact that most of us find love at some time or another but we all have to suffer heartbreak.

"I suppose a lot of people will buy the single because of who I am, but I am very proud of it as my first solo release. I'm looking forward to following it up with my first album, which I hope to start recording in December.

On the split from Kajagoogoo

"It has been a traumatic period for me - I worked for years for the group. I've been in four groups altogether and none of them have worked, so I don't plan to form another band. At least now I'm in the happy position of being able to record the songs I want to, and to decide how they'll be recorded and even to choose the musicians.

"I think it was David Bowie who said the best thing about being a solo artist is that you can't split up! Now I've had time to think things over, I'm very happy with the way it's going.

On schooldays

"I was very rebellious at school. All I wanted to do was play in a band. I was always talking in class and larking around and in the end I was expelled.

"My home life wasn't much better. We were very poor - my father was a miner and I could never afford to buy any records. I used to cut people's hedges for a few pence a time and even did some impromptu singing in the local record shops to raise a few bob for records.

On Acting

"Ever since I was a kid and jumped on chairs to do an 'act' in front of friends and relations, I've wanted to entertain people. I've appeared in pantomime, in musicals such as Godspell and in the Agatha Christie thriller Murder At the Vicarage.

"I enjoyed playing a part in LWT's Gentle Touch - and my ambition is to get into movies, but my main job is at present is to establish myself as a solo singer before treading the boards again.

On fans

"I can't even drop into my local supermarket without fans gathering round me asking for autographs! I enjoy all the admiration but sometimes it's wearing on the nerves, so I have to make sure get enough sleep and eat the right kind of food (strictly vegetarian!).

"My fans are very supportive. After my split from Kajagoogoo I was getting 1,000 letter a week from fans in England alone, and this made me feel much better, knowing that all those people were behind me.

"As A solo artiste I think I'm going to appeal to a wider range of record-buyers because, if anything, my sound is more mature than in the Kajagoogoo days.

On leisure time

"When I'm not writing, recording or acting, I like to take things easy with my girlfriend, Kim. Also, I'm quite a fitness fanatic: weight-training is one of my spare time activities, and I enjoy swimming.

"Driving isn't a particularly healthy hobby, but I find it quite relaxing. At the moment I'm looking for a car.

"When I get the chance, I like going to discos just to keep my dancing up to form. It's good exercise, too, of course! I've been a dance fan since my schooldays, when I took lessons - a step I've never regretted, if you'll excuse the pun! I used to enjoy trying out the various dances at the legendary Wigan Casino Club, where, incidentally, I won a singing contest at the age of 15!

On the future

"I think Only For Love will prove that I can make it as a solo artiste. Once I've got a few more singles under my belt I'll be all set to start doing concerts again. I can't wait to do my 'war dances' across the stage! Seriously, I think going solo may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. It's a great challenge and I'm sure there will be so many opportunities.

"In the immediate future I'll be spending a lot of time abroad. I've got TV appearances lined up in Germany, France and Finland. Then I want to come back to London and start recording more original material, including that new album, which I'm really looking forward to working on.

Lookin 5^th November 1983