Limahl

Prologue: You remember Kajagoogoo, that group with the strange-sounding name, " Too Shy " etc.. etc.., you might remember the singer Limahl, the fact that last year he was the pinup of the moment; you might remember the commercial suicide that followed Limahl's departure from the group; you might perhaps vaguely be aware of the fact that neither Limahl or the beheaded Kajagoogoo were able to repeat the exploit of sales that they attained while together. In any case, we are here to inform you.

Have you found your identity as a singer?

Yes but I have changed, I am still the same, but I have changed. If I think about eighteen months ago I was a lot more naive, I was not perfectly aware of what was happening around me. As an example, when "Too Shy" reached number one in practically two thirds of the world-wide music markets, it was true madness. The only thing that could be compared to it is to throw someone that does not know how to swim, in the deep sea and see if he learns faster. Overnight, we found ourselves tossed between Japanese television programs, chains of interviews and Tops of the Pops. Now I am learning more about myself, but as far as the vocal technique goes I think I have reached a top form. Before joining Kajagoogoo I had been part of four bands and had done theatre, I consider myself an expert singer and I must say that I like the sound of my voice.

What are the dangers when one reaches number one with the first published record?

The greatest danger in my opinion is that you lack credibility in the eyes of the musical press and the critics, and thus people tend to attack you because they think you are a parvenu [an upstart], that you will disappear from the scene after a couple of records. Unfortunately in a way, it is only with time that one builds his credibility. When "Too Shy" reached number one everybody wanted to take pictures of us and everybody wanted to see us always smiling, which we did not really find that difficult: in a very short time we had been able to sign a deal with EMI and had managed to get a number one! In retrospect, I realize that by doing so we gave the wrong impression and all those photos of us good guys smiling triggered a 'teddy bear' syndrome: tons of toys thrown on the stage during the concerts. I know that the girls had good intentions, those gifts were given with affection, but I am twenty-five, and for sure I do not go to sleep with a teddy bear!

Do you like to be at the center of attention?

Yes, but not always. Sometime I go out knowing that I will be recognized in the street, that people will ask me autographs and I enjoy that, but sometimes I hide my hair under a hat and I put on dark glasses, I do not shave for three days and I do not want to speak with anybody. But I don't think I could stay without attention.

Do you need commercial success? Isn't it sufficient for you to know that according to your standards you produce things that are satisfactory to you?

Unfortunately, if you want, in my opinion, becoming succesful is a symptom that you are doing the right things. My last record ("Too Much Trouble") was the first one that I ever published with Kajagoogoo or as solo artist Limahl that did not reach the charts. However, I thought it was a good song and I still do. Perhaps it is good for me that this record did not sell much. I was getting used to easy success, now when it will come back I will be able to appreciate it more.

And if it will not return would you change a song to make it more commercial and have more chances to sell?

No, I could not do that, I would feel terribly guilty.

If people buy your records in mass it means they like your music. If you do not do it for money, but it is not sufficient for you to earn enough to sustain yourself are you looking for a nearly unanimous acceptance?

I call it respect, I want to be respected by the public and the other musicians: the success that Michael Jackson is having is not only because of "Thriller", but because he has on his shoulders a long career, it takes time to build yourself a solid reputation.

When you are on stage are you different from what you normally are?

No, on stage I am only an exaggeration of what I am normally.

Are you influenced by other artist's music?

Oh yes, the trend of the moment is enormously influenced by the production of Trevor Horn for Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Today's new records seem to contain a particularly heavy, throbbing rhythmic section, if you listen to a song called "High Energy" you will notice that the background rhythmic section is almost identical to "Relax". I think I've also been influenced, one of my new songs called "Tar Beach" has become a lot more obsessive during the mixing phase.

What does music represent to people?

Escape from reality, all music is a big collective escape, it gives the illusion of perfect love stories, purest pain, tales of far lands. It stimulates the imagination, let images rush on the private screen of your mind: everybody likes to close their eyes, at times.

Tutti Frutti 1984 -Stefania Bochicchio