Limahl

Last updated

Limahl
Limahl in 2016.jpg
Limahl in 2016
Born
Christopher Hamill

(1958-12-19) 19 December 1958 (age 65)
Pemberton, Wigan, Lancashire, England
Other namesLimahl
OccupationSinger
Years active1978–present
PartnerSteve Evans (1994–present)
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • keyboards
  • percussion
Labels
Formerly of
Website

Christopher Hamill (born 19 December 1958), known professionally as Limahl (an anagram of Hamill), is a British pop singer. He was the lead singer of the pop group Kajagoogoo beginning in 1982, before embarking on a solo career, garnering the 1984 hit "The NeverEnding Story", the theme song for the film The NeverEnding Story .

Contents

Early life

Christopher Hamill was born on 19 December 1958 at Pemberton, Lancashire, in North West England, to Eric and Cynthia Hamill. [1] He has one sister and two brothers. [1] The four children were all born by the time their mother was 22. [2] Hamill attended Mesnes High School, Wigan, Greater Manchester [1] [3] before eventually enrolling at the Westcliff-on-Sea Palace Theatre Repertory Company. [4]

Career

With aspirations to be an actor, Chris Hamill toured with the company in a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat . [4] In 1980, he was given a small role in an episode of the ITV police series The Gentle Touch . [5] In 1981, he also appeared as an extra in the promotional video for Adam and the Ants' number one UK single "Stand and Deliver".

He had a keen interest in music, forming a short-lived punk band called Vox Deus. [3] Next he joined and left a band called Crossword. Later he answered an advert in the music press to join a band to be called Brooks with Mike Nolan. [3] Chris Hamill adopted his stage name Limahl (an anagram of his surname) at the time he was recruited by the existing members of Kajagoogoo, who were then performing under the name Art Nouveau.

The four members of Art Nouveau, the band who were yet to become Kajagoogoo, had placed an advertisement in the music magazine Melody Maker , asking for a 'front man who could sing and look good'. [6] Hamill attended the audition and subsequently joined the band which was then, after some deliberation, renamed Kajagoogoo. Soon after he had joined, Limahl met Nick Rhodes, keyboardist of the group Duran Duran, while Limahl was working as a waiter at the Embassy Club in London. Rhodes agreed to co-produce the band's first single, "Too Shy".

Limahl later said: "I met Nick Rhodes and it changed my life." [7] Kajagoogoo signed a deal with EMI, due in part to Rhodes' involvement with the band, and the single "Too Shy" was released in January 1983. It went to number 1 in the UK Singles Chart and made the top 5 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The group had further hits with "Ooh to Be Ah" (UK No. 7) and "Hang on Now" (UK No. 13), with their debut album White Feathers reaching UK No. 5. Their first major UK tour was attended by 60,000 people, [8] and the final show at the Hammersmith Odeon in London was recorded and released on home video/Laserdisc (the 16-track White Feathers Tour).

In mid-1983, soon after the end of the White Feathers concert tour, the four other members of the band agreed that Limahl should be fired. As recounted years later by Nick Beggs and other Kajagoogoo members on the VH-1 program Bands Reunited, the actual firing of Limahl was done by their manager, and the band learned that it had been done over the telephone. Limahl was quoted in the press as saying: "I've been betrayed!", and "I was sacked for making them a success". [6]

Limahl later said: "I was in utter disbelief but the overwhelming emotion was anger, mainly towards the manager at first, but later, as I mulled over the 'betrayal', I was especially angry at my four professional colleagues, who I had viewed not only as friends but almost as family." [9] The band stated Limahl had become difficult to work with as they didn't share his vision for the band's future. Soon after Limahl's departure, bassist Nick Beggs commented: "It was a business decision and not one we took lightly. He wanted the band to go in a different direction to the rest of us. Eventually, we realised we were on a different planet to Limahl." [10] Beggs also stated the band harboured no ill will towards Limahl, and blamed the press for sensationalising the matter. Guitarist Steve Askew commented: "At first ... we did everything possible to make Limahl feel like part of the furniture, but, you know, his lifestyle is so different from ours. We're very normal people whereas Limahl likes the bright lights." [10]

Solo career

After leaving the band, Limahl launched a solo career, achieving hits with "Only for Love" (UK No. 16) in 1983, and with "The NeverEnding Story" (UK No. 4) in 1984. The latter was the title theme from the film The NeverEnding Story , composed by Giorgio Moroder. The English version was sung with Beth Andersen. The single reached the Top 5 in several countries and was number one in Spain, Sweden, and Norway. [11]

His debut album, 1984's Don't Suppose..., was a commercial failure in the UK, peaking at No. 63. It was better received in continental Europe with it topping the Norwegian album chart [12] and reaching the Top 10 in Austria, Sweden and Switzerland.

Following this, Limahl released two more albums: 1986's Colour All My Days and Love Is Blind in 1992, both of which failed to chart in the UK but found moderate success in Italy, Spain, and Germany.

In 1988 he was signed to Arista Records by Clive Davis in New York. Six songs were recorded at a cost of $250,000, but Davis dropped Limahl from the label soon afterward. [13]

Limahl, with the hairstyle he sported circa 1984, was illustrator Arthur Adams' inspiration for the look of the Marvel Comics X-Men character Longshot. [14]

2003–present

Limahl performing in 2006 LIMAHL (8337105781) (cropped).jpg
Limahl performing in 2006

In late 2003, Limahl briefly reunited with the other members of Kajagoogoo for the VH1 special Bands Reunited (which aired in 2004), but this did not lead to a permanent reunion. Also in 2004, Limahl took part in the musical reality show Comeback on German TV channel Pro7. A year later, in 2005, he appeared in a similar UK show, Hit Me Baby One More Time on ITV. The episode 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.[ episode needed ]

Limahl eventually reunited with Kajagoogoo again in 2008. Now reformed in their original five-piece line-up, the band took part in various music festivals in Europe.

In 2011, the band released a new track, "Death-Defying Headlines", as a digital single. Limahl as a solo artist released a new single in 2012 called "1983", co-written/produced with Norwegians Tommy Olsen, Rune Maurtvedt, and Stig Antonsen. The track was released worldwide by Dig Music (Norway) on 10 January 2012.

In November 2012, Limahl appeared on ITV's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! He came in as a late-entrant contestant alongside Rosemary Shrager.

Limahl continued to perform mostly 1980s retro based shows, often performing as part of multi-act tours. In 2016, Limahl appeared as part of the Billboard Tour playing to audiences in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. He featured as part of the successful Totally 80s Tour of Australia in July 2016, playing to audiences in Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide. In July and August 2018, he played his first shows in America as part of the Retro Futura Tour.

In July 2019, the song "The NeverEnding Story" recorded a sudden 2,063% increase in on-demand streams from 88,000 in the week ending 4 July to 1.91 million in the week ending 11 July [15] after actors Gaten Matarazzo and Gabriella Pizzolo performed an a cappella duet of the track in the final episode of season three of Netflix series Stranger Things. In November 2019, Limahl and Kajagoogoo were featured in two episodes of season 9 of American Horror Story. [16] On 5 June 2020, Limahl released the single "Still in Love," which was his first single released since 2012. This was followed by "One Wish for Christmas" in November. [17] On 28 November 2020, he appeared as a guest on a late-night Channel 5 entertainment show called Jane McDonald Sings the Movies . [18]

Personal life

Hamill is gay, [19] [20] but remains private as regards details concerning his personal life. He’s been with his civil partner, Steve Evans, since 1994.

Discography

Solo albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
UK
[21] 		AUT
[22] 		CAN
[23] 		GER
[24] 		NOR
[25] 		SWE
[26] 		SWI
[27]
Don't Suppose
  • Released: 26 November 1984
  • Label: EMI
6310726156
Colour All My Days
  • Released: 14 July 1986
  • Label: EMI
———45———
Love Is Blind ———————

with Kajagoogoo

Solo singles

YearTitlePeak chart positions Certifications Album
UK
[28] 		AUS
[29] 		AUT
[30] 		CAN
[31] 		FIN
[32] 		FRA
[33] 		GER
[34] 		IRE
[35] 		NOR
[36] 		SWE
[37] 		SWI
[38] 		US
[39]
1980"Angel" (as Chris Hamill)————————————single releases only
"It's Christmas" (as Chris Hamill)———————————
1983"Only for Love"16509—6—816——551 Don't Suppose
1984"Too Much Trouble"64———23—26—————
"The NeverEnding Story"46272472411317
1985"Tar Beach"——————30—————
1986"Love in Your Eyes"80—————28———26— Colour All My Days
"Inside to Outside"——————57—————
"Colour All My Days"————————————
"No Lo Pienses Más"————————————
"Don't Send for Me"————————————
1992"Too Shy '92"———————————— Love Is Blind
"Love Is Blind"————————————
2004"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (with Dynelle)————————————single releases only
2006"Too Shy" (Limahl vs. Julien Créance)————————————
"Tell Me Why"——————96—————
2012"1983"————————————
"London for Christmas"————————————
2020"Still in Love"————————————
2020"One Wish for Christmas"————————————
"—" denotes items that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Featured in

YearTitleAlbum
1992"Stop" (Bassline feat. Limahl) Love Is Blind
"Maybe this Time" (Bassline feat. Limahl)
1996"Walking in Rhythm" (Shy Guy feat. Limahl)single releases only
2002"Love That Lasts"/"Lost in Love"
(Discobrothers pres. Stars of the Eighties)

Related Research Articles

Marta Marrero, better known by her stage name Martika, is an American pop singer and actress. She released two internationally successful albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which sold over four million copies worldwide. Her biggest hit was "Toy Soldiers", which peaked at #1 for two weeks on the American chart in mid-1989. She is also known for her role as Gloria on Kids Incorporated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kajagoogoo</span> British new wave band

Kajagoogoo were a British new wave band, best known for their 1983 hit single "Too Shy", which reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, and the top 10 in numerous other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick Beggs</span> British bassist

Nicholas Beggs is a British musician, noted for playing the bass guitar and the Chapman Stick; he is a member of the Mute Gods and Kajagoogoo, formerly also a part of Iona and Ellis, Beggs & Howard and plays in the band of Steven Wilson. He is known for modifying a Chapman Stick into a fully MIDI-capable instrument triggering MIDI from both bass and melody strings; he calls it the Virtual Stick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morcheeba</span> English electronic band

Morcheeba are an English electronic band formed in the mid-1990s with founding members vocalist Skye Edwards and the brothers Paul and Ross Godfrey. They mix influences from trip hop, rock, folk rock and downtempo, and have produced ten regular studio albums since 1995, two of which reached the UK top ten. Edwards left the band in 2003, after which the brothers used a number of singers before she rejoined in 2009. They recruit additional members for their live performances and have toured internationally. In 2014 Paul Godfrey resigned from the band. Edwards and Ross Godfrey later formed Skye & Ross and released a self-titled album in September 2016. Their latest studio album as Morcheeba, Blackest Blue, was released in May 2021 and was preceded by singles "Sounds of Blue", "Oh Oh Yeah" and "The Moon". It features collaborations with Brad Barr from The Barr Brothers, and Duke Garwood, whom Edwards described as "a diamond geezer".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alisha's Attic</span> English pop duo

Alisha's Attic were an English pop duo of the 1990s and early 2000s. The two members were sisters Shelly and Karen Poole, born in Barking and Chadwell Heath respectively. Their father is Brian Poole of 1960s group Brian Poole and the Tremeloes.

<i>Schools Out</i> (album) 1972 studio album by Alice Cooper

School's Out is the fifth studio album by American rock band Alice Cooper, released in June 1972. Following on from the success of Killer, School's Out reached No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart and No. 1 on the Canadian RPM 100 Top Albums chart, holding the top position for four weeks. The single "School's Out" reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 3 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles Chart and went to No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Too Shy</span> 1983 single by Kajagoogoo

"Too Shy" is a song written and recorded by English band Kajagoogoo, released in January 1983. The first single from their debut album White Feathers, the song was an immediate hit and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks. It was also very successful in other European countries and Japan, spending five weeks at number one in Germany, also reaching number one in Belgium and Ireland, as well as reaching number two in France and Switzerland, and number four in Sweden, Austria and the Netherlands.

<i>White Feathers</i> 1983 studio album by Kajagoogoo

White Feathers is the debut album by English new wave band Kajagoogoo, released on 18 April 1983 by EMI Records. The album contains their most successful single, "Too Shy", a UK No. 1 hit in February 1983, as well as two other UK Top 20 hits: "Ooh to Be Ah" and "Hang on Now". It is the band's only album with Limahl as the lead vocalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Apple (song)</span> 1983 single by Kajagoogoo

"Big Apple" is a song written and performed by the British band Kajagoogoo. Released in September 1983, it was the first single to be taken from the band's second album Islands (1984), and their first song without lead singer Limahl, who had been fired from the band earlier that year. From this single onwards, lead vocals were performed by bassist Nick Beggs.

"Only for Love" is the debut solo single by former Kajagoogoo singer Limahl, following being fired from the group by his bandmates in 1983. The song was included on Limahl's 1984 debut solo album, Don't Suppose. The song became his first UK top 20 hit, peaking at No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart. It remains his second most popular single in the UK as a solo act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The NeverEnding Story (song)</span> 1984 single by Limahl

"Never Ending Story" is the title song from the English version of the 1984 film The NeverEnding Story. It was produced and composed by Italian musician Giorgio Moroder and performed by English pop singer Limahl. He released two versions of the song, one in English and one in French. The English version featured vocals by Beth Andersen, and the French version, titled L'Histoire Sans Fin, featured vocals by Ann Calvert. It was a success in many countries, reaching No. 1 in both Norway and Sweden, No. 2 in Austria, West Germany and Italy, No. 4 in the UK, No. 6 in Australia and No. 6 on the US Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.

<i>Colour All My Days</i> 1986 studio album by Limahl

Colour All My Days is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter Limahl, released on 14 July 1986 by EMI Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Substitute (The Righteous Brothers song)</span> 1977 single by Clout

"Substitute" is a song by Willie H. Wilson, recorded first by The Righteous Brothers and released as a single from their album The Sons of Mrs. Righteous in 1975. A 1978 version by the South African all-female band Clout was a global hit.

This article presents the complete discography of the British art rock band 10cc.

<i>Love Is Blind</i> (Limahl album) 1992 studio album by Limahl

Love Is Blind is the third solo album by the English singer Limahl, released in 1992. The work was also released in other two German-speaking countries of central Europe, namely Austria and Switzerland.

<i>Dont Suppose</i> 1984 studio album by Limahl

Don't Suppose is the debut solo album by the English singer Limahl, formerly lead singer of the British band Kajagoogoo, released in 1984 by EMI Records.

Brooks was a London-based vocal pop group active in the late 1970s. Despite much hype and a number of single releases, the band failed to achieve any chart success. Two of the members however went on to achieve fame independently of each other: Mike Nolan, of Bucks Fizz, and Chris Hamill, a.k.a. Limahl, of Kajagoogoo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hang on Now</span> 1983 single by Kajagoogoo

"Hang on Now" is a song by Kajagoogoo from their 1983 debut album, White Feathers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shakespears Sister discography</span>

The discography of UK-based pop-rock act Shakespears Sister consists of four studio albums, five compilation albums, one EP, and seventeen singles. Originally a solo act consisting of ex-Bananarama member Siobhan Fahey, it eventually evolved into a duo between Fahey and Marcella Detroit. They released their debut studio album Sacred Heart in 1989, which reached number 9 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold by the BPI. The album's lead single, double A Side "Break My Heart / Heroine" did not chart, the second single however, "You're History", reached number 7 on the UK Singles Chart, and managed similar top 20 success internationally. Their next three singles, "Run Silent", "Dirty Mind", and "Goodbye Cruel World", all failed to peak within the UK top 50. The second single from Hormonally Yours, "Stay" was the group's first and only number 1, staying at the top position for 8 weeks. The song also reached number 1 in Ireland and Sweden, and peaked within the top 5 in several other territories. Hormonally Yours peaked at number 3 in the UK and was certified double platinum, and reached similar success in international territories. The fifth and final single from the album, "My 16th Apology", was not a commercial success due to both members being on hiatus at the time.

This article is the discography of British pop band Kajagoogoo and includes all the studio albums, live albums, compilations, and singles, as well as the peak chart positions for the United Kingdom, Austria1, Germany, Netherlands1, New Zealand, Sweden1, Switzerland and United States.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Icons Gallery – Limahl ( Christopher Hamill )". Circa-club.com. 19 December 1958. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  2. ↑ Pingitore, Silvia (28 May 2020). "Why The NeverEnding Story will never end: interview with Limahl". the-shortlisted.co.uk. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Limahl". Artistbookingagents.com. 19 December 1958. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  4. 1 2 "Theatre Part 2". Limahl. Archived from the original on 1 June 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  5. ↑ "Playing the part of a schoolboy in 'The Gentle Touch' for London Weekend Television". Limahl.com. Archived from the original on 26 November 2012. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  6. 1 2 "UK Festivals - Limahl". Ukfestivalguides.com. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  7. ↑ "Kajagoogoo – Finding Success Part 2". Limahl. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  8. ↑ "KajaGooGoo Tour Review Friars Aylesbury May 1983 "". Kajafax.co.uk. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  9. ↑ "Kajagoogoo – The Split". Limahl. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  10. 1 2 Steels, Deborah (15 September 1983). "The Fruit Case (Kajagoogoo interview)". Smash Hits. Vol. 5, no. 19. EMAP Metro. pp. 41–42.
  11. ↑ "norwegiancharts.com - Limahl - The Never Ending Story". norwegiancharts.com.
  12. ↑ Steffen Hung. "Limahl – Don't Suppose". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
  13. ↑ Liner notes from "Limahl — Don't Suppose (2-Disc Collectors' Edition)"
  14. ↑ Cooke, Jon B. (15 November 2001). "The Art of Arthur Adams". Reprinted from Comic Book Artist #17.
  15. ↑ "Limahl 'Gobsmacked' by Explosion of Interest in 'Neverending Story' Thanks to 'Stranger Things'". Billboard. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  16. ↑ Chiu, David. "Former Kajagoogoo Singer Limahl on His Holiday Single and the Renewed Popularity Of 'Too Shy' And 'The NeverEnding Story'". Forbes. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  17. ↑ "Limahl gets festive with new song One Wish For Christmas". 19 November 2020.
  18. ↑ "Jane McDonald Sings the Movies". Radio Times.
  19. ↑ Leigh, Rob (23 November 2012). "Time to Kaja-go-go: Limahl ponders why "gay vote" was Too Shy to back him as he leaves jungle". Mirror. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  20. ↑ Del Pino, Andrea M. Rosa (24 July 2019). "'La historia interminable' y la curiosa historia del cantante de su banda sonora". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 September 2021.
  21. ↑ "UK Albums". officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  22. ↑ "Austrian Albums". austrian charts.at. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  23. ↑ Canadian Albums:
  24. ↑ German Albums:
  25. ↑ "Norwegian Albums". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  26. ↑ "Swedish Albums". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  27. ↑ "Swiss Albums". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  28. ↑ "UK Singles". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  29. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 178. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  30. ↑ "Austrian Singles". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  31. ↑ Canadian Singles:
  32. ↑ "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1961" (in Finnish). Sisältää Hitin - Suomen listalevyt (Timo Pennanen). Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  33. ↑ "French Singles". lescharts.com. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  34. ↑ German Singles:
  35. ↑ "Irish Singles". irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on 5 January 2010. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  36. ↑ "Norwegian Singles". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  37. ↑ "Swedish Singles". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  38. ↑ "Swiss Singles". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
  39. ↑ "US Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  40. ↑ "BPI Certification". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.