My new album arose in Munich

For more than a year you seemed to have disappeared from the face of the Earth. You were not seen or heard of for a long time. Weren't you terrified that your fans may have forgotten about you in the meantime?

That depends on my new single. My manager is convinced that "Love in your eyes" will be a giant hit and he has the experience. Besides, there's the album "Colour all my days". When you have Giorgio Moroder as songwriter and producer and Russel Mulcahy as video producer - what can go wrong? They are the top people in the business. I can't do any more.

What have you been doing recently, where have you been living and how?

I spent Christmas here in England with my family, as usual. I also celebrated my birthday here. And now I have just come back from a short holiday in Las Palmas with my mother. The first time I was alone with her on a holiday and the first in thirty years that she was away from my father.

Wasn't it sometimes boring to just be with your mother?

Not at all, quite the opposite: For the first time we really got to know each other. We shared a room and talked with each other a lot. Usually my father or someone else from the family is always around. My mother confided in me a lot of things I didn't know and I poured my heart out to her. I also bought her some really nice clothes. My father is now different towards her and even calls her "Love" (laughs).

What happened in the months when you were out of the limelight?

Yes, a lot of water has been running under the bridge in the year that has passed since you last saw me. In February '85 I was at first in Tokyo, then I flew to Hawaii for a couple of weeks, then on to Los Angeles where I spent 5 months in total. I have done promotion for "The NeverEnding Story". The song was a huge hit there, just as in Japan, where it even threw "Too shy" into the shade. In America I worked pretty hard. I visited 21 cities in 21 days and gave interviews everywhere. After that I flew to Sydney for two months, finally I spent three months in Munich to record the songs for my album "Colour all my days". In between I wrote the lyrics for my songs.

How many songs are on the album and who produces it?

There are ten songs on the album. Eight of them were written and produced by Giorgio Moroder, who is also responsible for NeverEnding Story. Two songs are from Derek Nakamoto whom I met in L.A. He has also been working with The Pointer Sisters, Michael Jackson and Kenny Loggins.

Don't you ever fear your huge success?

What? Not at all. I already feel like an old hand in show business. Don't forget that I was treading the boards at the age of 19. Today I'm a proud 27.

But you are a solo star. Earlier you were with Kajagoogoo. How do you actually feel today about your former band? For you the break up lead to success while the band didn't even get a record deal.

Yes, the record company has been tidying up and thrown many bands out that didn't give anything. That's why they spent so much more money on me (laughs). Anyway the record bosses are enthusiastic about my album. Kajagoogoo? Yes, I am still in touch with Jez. He was always a nice guy; I never had anything against him. We are doing business together now.

You mean you are working together again?

No, not musically. Jez has started a company that lets out music equipment and mixer desks, all for music production. I bought me some nice equipment in L.A. for investment. I will put it in his company for lease. So our connection will be business only.

Have you heard more from the others?

Well now, I'll tell you a little gossip: Everybody likes a little gossip, myself included (he giggles). As you can see I am honest. Well then: Nick Beggs called me at my house at Christmas but I was never there. At last he left a message that I should call him back, which I never did. I never understood why Nick never called me after the break up. So why now, when the band was breaking up? Perhaps he wanted some advice from me or just to wish me a merry Christmas?

Back to your album. What kind of music can we expect from you? Ballads or pop songs?

It's a colourful mixture. Something for everyone. Giorgio Moroder is a first-rate man. He never repeats himself and he writes the songs to suit his stars. The recordings were made in Munich, by the way, in Musicland Studio, where Queen also works. I even lived in Freddie Mercury's flat for a period of three months, just by Marienplatz. I cannot give you the address because then the fans would go crazy. Professionally it was great that Giorgio Moroder gave my voice first priority on every track. Just like Billy Ocean I sing first and then he mixes at the end. I am enthusiastic about every song...

What's happening next? Will we see you soon in England or Germany?

Definitely for promotion! At the moment I am based in Paris. After that I'll fly back to L.A. I have been away from England for exactly a year, which is necessary to avoid the high taxes. It is even possible that I may have to add on a year more. Depending on how successful my new album becomes.

So you will leave London and live in America in the future?

Where the success is, that's where you will find me. I had two worldwide hits with "Too Shy" and "NeverEnding Story". Something like that is rather rare. And the main thing is that I don't stay around in a country but promote myself everywhere and put my name on the map. Everybody knows Limahl by now and he is at home everywhere as you can see on my schedule. I come to a foreign country, a foreign city, hire a furnished flat, hire a car and two hours later I feel at home. Meanwhile I speak German pretty well.

But what about your family and the London flat that you have just furnished?

I have often been a little worried about my rather big success because I like to keep my feet on the ground. I have managed so far. Hopefully I will continue to do so. My family, my sister Caroline, who looks after my flat with her boyfriend, and my hometown, is very important, of course. But the gadding around the world I also find very fun.

Have you already made plans beyond the album?

I've already been showered with tour offers to Eastern European countries and Asia. So I am also famous behind the Iron Curtain. For instance, there was an offer from East Berlin, one from Yugoslavia, one from Poland. Also Japan is very interested. It is also possible that I will look for a couple of good session musicians to go on tour.

It couldn't happen that Nick, Stuart, Jez and Steve were among those musicians?

I hardly think so. I don't ever want to re-live the annoyance and depression from then. From now on it's going uphill. And everything gets positive...

BRAVO 29th MAY 1986 -MARGIT RIETTE