I would say Cutting Crew's "I Just Died in Your Arms", but I think their follow-up tune, I've Been In Love Before was a bit of a hit as well. Shattered Dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz or Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder.
Nick Beggs' bass work alone is amazing. They should have never fired Limahl: He looked great, had the perfect voice, etc. He had a great energy as well
True, but if he was in fact an egomaniacal jackass, can you blame them? Talent can only take you so far, you still need to get along. Look at Terry Ried as an example. Outrageously gifted singer, guitarists, & songwriter who just wanted to put out really good music, yet hated fame and attention in general which is why most people have never heard of him. He turned down the opportunity to sing for Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple (Blackmore's original choice before Ian Gillian), and Rainbow just to name three.
All this time I thought Limahl left Kajagoogoo to go solo. That's what everyone was saying back then. No wonder Too Shy was good, Nick Rhoades touch is golden!
Just love it...Kajagoogoo has a hit, fires lead singer, then former lead singer ends up singing one of the 80s most-iconic movie themes and has a hit with it while former band has a hard time with a follow up, classic case of hindsight. Never Ending Story is a great movie song, and one of my favorites from the 80s.
What so hard to understand. Just listen to the music. The band is a art dance club band. He was a pop diva classical blues singer. Of course the band was not going to last.
I know this is about Too Shy, but… Never Ending Story is the one for me that scrunches up my insides and melts my core. From myself to my daughters and now my granddaughter, evokes such feelings! Whenever the Swamp of Despair arises in my life, this song helps me through. Can’t thank Limahl enough for that alone!
@@duckylove3930 its okay....typo's are acceptable, we all watch this video....but indeed I always get emotional from this song....I was so in love with the music and the visuals of this clip.....its nearly impossible for me to sing along to this track without starting to cry....
Limahl was cool in that iconic movie theme song Neverending Story Limahl looks good in this interview after all these years ! Great interview Professor
Limahl took a great band to the next level. It’s a shame they couldn’t make a few more songs together 😢❤The 80’s decade was a lot of fun. I was in grade school 😅 Class of 1994. ❤I’m half German 😅 British and Canadian and definitely a ‘teeny-bopper’ who collected magazines like Tiger Beat 😂❤My crush was River Phoenix. Rip 🪦 😢
1983 was a watershed year for the music industry as well as a symbiotic inflection point for both MTV and the audio recording medium. Truly halcyon times..
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Exactly. If you watch television, the list of films, music, from '80-'82, it's almost an extension of the late 70's, which were, in my opinion, very different from the early 70's. With the exception of Devo, the Cars, and a few David Cronenberg films, the 80's simply hadn't "graduated" yet.
Nasty opinion here. The song song is perfectly rated which is why you hardly hear it. Most of the song is great, but you can tell it was a mish-mash of random pieces that the members had. Their unimpressive transitions between the verses/pre chorus/chorus are proof of that. The pre-chorus is particularly clunky and sloppily put in there. If you took it out you would improve the song remarkably while hiding the low effort transitions. There is nothing wrong with mashing up different pieces of music that you have to make a song, but jarring changes like that prechorus absolutely need to be treated with more consideration than scotch-taping it to the song. I only give them hell for it because these guys had the talent to refine the song to mesh well more than the amateur effort they seemingly put into it. Oh and I give them hell because the verse and the chorus are too amazing to be held back by such things from such artists. Oh and let's be real, that slide in the bassline in the beginning sounds cool the first time it's slid, after that it's loses all of its Jazzy illustrious goodness.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Grammy corruption was called out two Summers ago. Grammy Awards are now worthless. Same with the Smithsonian, but that was called out over twenty years ago already.
I almost never tear up over a movie, but I couldn't keep my eyes dry during the scene in which the kid's horse dies in Never Ending Story. That was one of the few kid's movies that really left an impression on me as an adult. And, Lamahl's theme was one of my favorite records of (based on its USA release) 1985.
My sisters loved this song, but I was into different music at the time. Later in life, I picked up the bass. When I listened to this song again, I realized the bass line that Nick Beggs laid down was absolutely epic. One of the best of the New Wave era. Hard to believe the band didn't become bigger but it happens. Nick Beggs had success later on and deservedly so. He is overlooked and shouldn't be.
Unfortunately a lot of talented 80s musicians weren't taken seriously because at the time so much music was seen as shallow and a product of labels more focused on being visually appealing for MTV. This was especially the case when bands were popular with teen girls, or the members were attractive; hey were dismissed as mere pretty-boy bands. But thankfully decades later people are sitting down and appreciating the talent these musicians had. You have Nick Beggs, and John Taylor from Duran Duran (the bass in Rio is sick)
Two of my all time favorite songs are from the early 80's and both are heavy on synth and bass. (Keep Feeling) Fascination 1981 The Human League and Too Shy 1983 Kajagoogoo.
"Too Shy" is one of those songs that instantly transports me back to when I was a young man in the 80's. Such a great time of my life and such great music from so many artists back then! I truly miss it. Soft Cell's version of "Tainted Love" was a favorite of mine and of my girlfriend at the time, who would later become my wife. I can't imagine my life without these songs and the memories they bring!
The same thing happened with the Kingsmen in the '60s, when lead singer Jack Ely was fired after "Louie Louie." "Too Shy" brings back great memories for me from the spring of '83; it was one of the many Europop/technopop hits of that era.
I love the way you interview and interact with these “Legends” of rock and music. They are so excited to be given a chance to express their appreciation of their Achievements by someone who is Not after something other than the love of History and their contributions to it. I love watching them grab their guitars 🎸 and Twang their priceless knowledge and relive the functionality of their achievements like a teacher which they all are. We done Professor 🎼 🎶 .
funny enough Too Shy was produced by Duran Durans keyboardist Nick Rhodes and Colin Thurston, the latter of whom had produced Duran Duran's first two albums. loved that you knew this and it was widely known at the time and many of us Duranies ran to the song and loved it.
The Prof says Too Shy had a killer bassline. Give a listen to Ooh to be ah from the same Kajagoogoo album, still with Limahl. That bassline is even better, greater. Sheer genius.
Really appreciate the fact that when a different song / artist / bass line or whatever comes up in conversation, you show the clip right there so we can immediately understand the context. I'm guessing that takes quite a lot of effort to do properly, so thanks :)
Too shy was an epic hit and amazing part of my early MTV viewing days. Limahl had a great voice and such an unusual look. Loved his voice in both songs...
Limahl's voice is so great. The 80's was the last time we had good unapologetic male vocals. Singers like David Sylvian, Jimmy Somerville, Mark Hollis and Bryan ferry a few just off the top of my head, no tricks just licks.
I like when Adam refers to songs like this as ‘Lightning in a Bottle’. Obviously there are some songs that are the epitome of that, but when a band still has a a modicum of success, yeah, maybe the individual song was the only big hit, but something there’s something more there.
"Too Shy" is one of the 80's songs that has really stuck with me ever since I heard it. And not just as a recollection like "Hungry Like The Wolf" or "I Ran", I distinctly remember LOVING this song as a kid. And I was 4 years old at the time, so that's really saying something! Add to that the fact that "The Neverending Story" is my all-time favourite childhood movie, and knowing that Limahl was involved in the title track was awesome!
Lovelovelove Kajagoogoo! Their albums White Feathers, Islands, and Crazy People's Right to Speak are all awesome. Nick Beggs is my bass guitar hero, and Limahl's The Neverending Story is from the movie of the same name and a direct connection to my childhood. It's my favorite movie of all time, being born in 83. Thanks so much for posting this video!!! You're so lucky to have met Limahl :)
What I love about this channel, what got me hooked was that he does not drag the view along knowing they were hooked by the title and thumbnail and not mention the song title or band until near the end thinking everyone is gonna wait. As when I found The Professor of Rock many channels would hook people in what turned out to be click bait "what this person ended up doing was incredible" "youwont believe what happened next" shite. Professor of Rock always delivers and never disappoints.
I can still remember seeing "The Neverending Story" in the theater as a kid. When the song came on at the end of the movie, it was just one of those songs that immediately dug its hooks deep into your soul.
I graduated HS in 1992, so I'm thinking that Neverending Story was released when I was in junior high school, so 1987 or 1988. I completed each year in school in line with the 1980s: 1984, I finished 4th grade; 1988, 8th grade; and all the rest.
There was a Kajagoogoo reunion in 2009 - 2010, with a number of shows and a new recording. The original 5 piece band played of course the White Feathers album, a selection of Limahl's solo bests, stuff from their after Limahl era with Limahl on lead vocals. Beggs then said, after remastering and re-releasing old tracks, having played live basicaly everything, it was okay to close this chapter and move forward.
Nick Beggs made this band with probably one of best bass lines produced at a the time , on a par with Mark King ( Level 42) and a whole bunch of players Stateside . This new wave of Brit funk was bass driven like other bands , not vocals driven . The lyrics considered corny . This 21 year old kid made doing everything possible with a bass , look easy . Beggs went on to work with many great musicians and producing some great pieces and still out there .
Never Ending Story is one of my favorite songs of all time which is odd because I like metal, classic rock, and 1980’s alternative so it is much more dramatic and theatrical than what I typically listen too. I played it often for years well before it got popular again on Stranger Things. Too Shy is good too but it can’t compare to Never Ending Story. Never Ending Story seems to get better as time progresses. There something about it that is just magical, inspiring, yet very nostalgic and so 1980’s I love it.
Just when I think you have reached the pinnacle in your interviews, you shatter that with another one even better !! Great interview with Limahl and the story behind too shy. Great song then and just as great today. Thank you for your dedication to music !!
Loved this interview! I'm more of a 70's girl and never really liked Too Shy but he is such a sweet guy in the interview and of course I loved Never Ending Story!! As with all your featured songs, I'm now going to watch both those videos!! Much love....
Great interview, I love that you just let people talk and speak their minds. Too many modern YT interviewers are either gushing or they ask irrelevant questions - but you nail it every time 👍 Keep it up, brother!
So glad you did this! Absolutely love the song "Too Shy" and performance! And wondered.... I have this song on different playlists of mine. I was born in '57 myself, and absolutely love Motown too, so that's probably part of the reason I can relate to this. Never Ending Story, always a favorite!
Too shy was a joke to me and my circle back then but I always found myself singing along to it. I guess I secretly liked it. It's nostalgic now. Still never play it even though I can hear any song I want to now with the click of a "button". It takes me back...good times.
I am probably alone in the fact that I am a huge fan of Nick Beggs! His solo work, The Mute Gods, and most notably as a crucial member of Steven Wilson's (Porcupine Tree) solo band. His bass chops are amazing! And few approach his mastery of the Chapman Stick! Rock on Nick!
@@Bonzi_Buddy No. He loves his daughters and is naturally very proud of them. As a father, and a musician. Creepy weirdo? You haven't got a clue. He's one of the most honest, approachable people in the business.
Still sounds great - that bassline is fantastic! some 40 years after it came out. Didn't know Kajagoogoo had songs after Too Shy. Of course Never Ending Story is a great song in itself too.
I first heard 'Too Shy' when I was 12, and I've loved it ever since then! The baseline is amazing. I didn't watch the Never Ending Story until the '90s, but it's a beautiful song. Another song by Kajagoogoo that's amazing is 'Hang on Girl' from the White Feathers album.
Wow. Thank you for that whole interview. I remember stumbling onto the MV for Neverending Story, maybe 7 or 8 years ago, and discovering that it was a guy who sang the song and of course the video was totally 80s style and I didn't know what to think. Now I do, and his story filled in all the gaps and it's pretty cool. This is why I love your channel. For me, it's part nostalgia and then learning something new. It's like newly reconnecting to my youth. Thank you!
Funny thing, loved the song but never knew the band or that LiMahl was part of it. UA-cam has taught me so much about music (The Cowsills was another thing I got thanks to UA-cam...very grateful for it too) Love Neverending Story's theme. One of my fave songs.
I remember the song….I was only 7 at the time but I remember it….I just wanna say what a cool dude Lamahl is! That was cool! I could tell he appreciated your knowledge as well….he sure knows his stuff about music though….it doesn’t surprise me that he was a success….he had a grasp of what people liked before people even knew what they liked.
This is the greatest example of a band that had all that it took to be one of the top bands of the 80s and one bad decision totally derailed their career to be fair the two kajagoogoo albums with Nick Beggs leading are quite good
Simply sensational video professor, thanks for another wonderful trip down memory lane. Hearing Neverending Story always pulls me back to that time in my childhood. Brilliant!
Great video! I had an older brother who was always up with the cool music! In high school I loved “Never Ending Story,” song! I sang it for an audition for traveling choir assembly. Yup, nailed it and got into the group!
I'm so glad Limahl talked about loving the artwork on vinyl. Records was a whole very exciting experience everything about them. Then we got CD's, they were never as good as the Records but at least they were something tangible. Then there was I-Tunes, that was the day buying Music was destroyed for me, & I'm sure it was the same for anyone over about the age of 39. The Milenials & others that have only purchased Music on I-Tunes & similar have missed out the whole experience of buying & owning Vinyl.
I didn’t know who sang the song when I was younger, but it was so amazing to me! Of course the movie was just as captivating and while I forgot about it over the course of time I was in a video store, saw it there on the shelf and purchased a copy and actually appreciated it even more when I viewed it! ❤
This is a great interview. The repeated references to other songs and artists make me miss the 80's so much. I didn't know lots of the details and history covered here. Thank you.
Honestly, great interview and flashback into my , elementary and junior high school days. I had a huge crush on Limahl. What a talented man. I had no idea. Thank you for sharing. I’m following him on IG now. Support his continuing music career. Well done!
That was one of the greats of the 80's. I moved from the U.K. to France a while back and the lady who owns the local bar near me absolutely longs this song. We often play it.
Never knew this story thanks for the wonderful story. With his voice I hope he is still singing. I would not be surprised if he had another hit, he can really sing.
Love "Too Shy" and "Hang on Now", but after they fired Limahl they released the album "Islands" (Extra Play in the U.S.) and that one is a masterpiece!
1 of the reasons I love this channel is I continue to learn about the iconic songs from my childhood. I had no idea that he was the 1 who sang Never ending Story! And that was 1 of my dad's favs. so I heard it a lot! The 1st time I heard Too Shy, I was in the living room at my grandmother's house and we used to listen to a local radio station on Friday nights that played all the newest songs, often times for the 1st time in our area. My cousin was there and he kept repeating Too Too Shy Shy.. And I kept saying no, I think it's just 1 'Too' and we debated it forever. He still to this day say Too Too, I think on purpose ;)
I had almost forgotten about this great song. Loved it at the time. Liked Limahl in this interview too. Didn't try to claim everything was his idea, pretty down to earth guy. Also impressed that he looked better at 60 something than he did at 20 something.
I can relate to what he said. In the 80's I was blessed to be a part of a great band that rocketed to local stardom and played and toured with superstars, but our own internal conflicts and egos brought it to an end. Egos and youth is never a good thing. BTW, I would have loved to hear more about the production and sounds used on this song...especially the chorus. Thanks for sharing.
I just discovered Limahl a week ago. Kajagoogoo was not a band I followed in the '80s. I love his duet with Mandy. I love the tone of Limahl's voice. He is very charismatic. It's too bad the band made a very bad decision. I'm happy for Limahl that he had a huge hit with Neverending Story. It really showcased his talent. I've always loved that song. I hope I get a chance to see him live. He has a gorgeous face, a beautiful smile, a great personality, a good sense of humor and a great laugh. I have a serious crush on him...for life.❤❤❤ I enjoyed this interview.
Adam you have an ability to take songs and bands that I obviously knew about, but maybe wasn’t a big fan of, and presenting the story in a way that makes me see it all in a whole new light. I attribute that to your unmatched passion for what you do. I mean I graduated HS in 1984… was much more into hard rock/Hair Metal etc, I remember Too Shy, and all of the huge New Wave bands & songs, but would much rather listen to everything from AC/DC to Van Halen Twisted Sister & everything g in between. But I’ve begun to appreciate the entire 2nd British Invasion & the New Wave phenomenon much more since becoming a fan & subscriber of Professor of Rock. Thank you for all of the trips down memory lane! May you never run out of material!! Quick edit: to hear him say that the band members musical influences ranged from Devo to Frank Zappa & the Manhattan Transfer is mind boggling. Let’s you realize that so much more goes into every band, every song, every performance than when you just hear the finished product on the radio! Just fascinating.
You can definitely hear the motown influence had on Limahl with an 80s synthesizer pop also you can hear the other band members love of Devo and Zappa. Too Shy was massive because it is so catchy. Had to feel good getting another hit after getting fired, great episode and interview professor
I can appreciate how gracious Limahl about getting fired from Kajagoogoo. Even 20 years ago when they did the Bands Reunited special on VH1. The band really did him dirty.
Bands Reunited on VH1 is fantastic. All of the band come across very well. Never Ending Story is superb and has really stood the test of time. I guess Limahl was the ultimate winner despite being forced out of the band given the longevity of his most famous hit. It has taken him around the world and is a beloved song in so many territories. Nick Beggs has since played with Howard Jones. Hamill is pronounced Ham- ill ( sorry!). There is a fantastic 12" mix of Never Ending Story. His hometown Wigan is in the shadow of its larger neighbour Manchester but it can be proud of the mark Limahl has made on music. Even if you are not a fan of their output, the Bands Reunited programme is really interesting and moving.
@@TheSlowoldman It is a proud working class city. Not been for a few years but we saw Deacon Blue at the Guildhall after encountering some escaped horses on the dual carriageway on the way there. That was unexpected shall we say. More like the Wild West.
I love this guy's channel. He adds sounds and video as context to what is being discussed. This helps so much for following along. First time here. Subscribing now.
Poll: What is your pick for the greatest one hit wonder of the 80s?
Sly Fox - "Let's Go All The Way"
Since Yesterday Strawberry Switchblade
Feels Like Heaven Fiction Factory
I don't know best and honestly I don't know if it's a one hit wonder but my vote is Belly of the Whale Burning Sensations.
Either "I Melt With You" by Modern English, "Come on Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners, or "You Spin Me Round", by Dead or Alive.
I would say Cutting Crew's "I Just Died in Your Arms", but I think their follow-up tune, I've Been In Love Before was a bit of a hit as well. Shattered Dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz or Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder.
Hadn't realised that Limahl was such a good raconteur.And the guy is *64 years old* !
Incredible!
I had thought that he was the baby of the group but he’s actually the oldest. Looks good
Nick Beggs' bass work alone is amazing. They should have never fired Limahl: He looked great, had the perfect voice, etc. He had a great energy as well
Limahl gave them the hits.
True, but if he was in fact an egomaniacal jackass, can you blame them? Talent can only take you so far, you still need to get along. Look at Terry Ried as an example. Outrageously gifted singer, guitarists, & songwriter who just wanted to put out really good music, yet hated fame and attention in general which is why most people have never heard of him. He turned down the opportunity to sing for Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple (Blackmore's original choice before Ian Gillian), and Rainbow just to name three.
@@tedwojtasik8781 I can't judge really. They were truly exceptional, it an era of really talented era, so big egos make sense for anyone in that band!
Iconic sound… in the trash bin
@@tedwojtasik8781 Freddie Mercury was the same… was he wrong?
All this time I thought Limahl left Kajagoogoo to go solo. That's what everyone was saying back then. No wonder Too Shy was good, Nick Rhoades touch is golden!
Limahl is such a relaxed and accessible guy. Great inteview, Adam.
Just love it...Kajagoogoo has a hit, fires lead singer, then former lead singer ends up singing one of the 80s most-iconic movie themes and has a hit with it while former band has a hard time with a follow up, classic case of hindsight. Never Ending Story is a great movie song, and one of my favorites from the 80s.
It’s an astounding story.
We heard what Professor of Rock said. No need to repeat it
@CaptainRon1913 and now we get to read your crassness and immaturity, congrats!
Let people enjoy their memories of the music!
What so hard to understand. Just listen to the music. The band is a art dance club band. He was a pop diva classical blues singer. Of course the band was not going to last.
@@CaptainRon1913 Take your meds, lad.
Limahl is so humble about his voice.
What the British musicians were doing at that time was amazing. I love revisiting these songs and have a deeper appreciation for them now.
Second British Invasion is always a cool time period to explore.
Same here Rich.
Everytime I see Limahl and hear the song, Never Ending Story Im brought back to a world of nostalgia...
Man the 80s rock...
I know this is about Too Shy, but… Never Ending Story is the one for me that scrunches up my insides and melts my core. From myself to my daughters and now my granddaughter, evokes such feelings! Whenever the Swamp of Despair arises in my life, this song helps me through. Can’t thank Limahl enough for that alone!
Agree...
Limahl.
It’s such a sweet song.
@@JW...-oj5iw Thank you! Unsure where my head was at on that one… Edited correctly now.
@@duckylove3930 its okay....typo's are acceptable, we all watch this video....but indeed I always get emotional from this song....I was so in love with the music and the visuals of this clip.....its nearly impossible for me to sing along to this track without starting to cry....
Limahl was cool in that iconic movie theme song Neverending Story
Limahl looks good in this interview after all these years ! Great interview Professor
Stranger Things took it to the next level!
Limahl took a great band to the next level. It’s a shame they couldn’t make a few more songs together 😢❤The 80’s decade was a lot of fun. I was in grade school 😅 Class of 1994. ❤I’m half German 😅 British and Canadian and definitely a ‘teeny-bopper’ who collected magazines like Tiger Beat 😂❤My crush was River Phoenix. Rip 🪦 😢
Professor of Rock, this child of the 80's cannot thank you enough for all the wonderful content you share with us! ❤❤❤
Rock on!
1983 was a watershed year for the music industry as well as a symbiotic inflection point for both MTV and the audio recording medium.
Truly halcyon times..
I agree 100%. 1983 was the year that I really started to like the music!
83 was the "golden year" imho
The first full year that things started to get truly 80s
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Exactly. If you watch television, the list of films, music, from '80-'82, it's almost an extension of the late 70's, which were, in my opinion, very different from the early 70's. With the exception of Devo, the Cars, and a few David Cronenberg films, the 80's simply hadn't "graduated" yet.
@peteywheatstraws4909 you're exactly right. Decades often bleed across rigid temporal lines, and the 80's started in the UK in late 82/83.
One hit wonders are what makes a musical decade what it is, and Too Shy is a great song.
I agree.
"Too Shy" is such a great song. The bass and synth lines are absolutely killer.
YES! Top 5 bass line ever.
The bassist should get a Grammy just for that.
Recently seen the song Too Shy with Howard Jones singing it live .... it sounded so much better . But then its Howard Jones :)
Nasty opinion here. The song song is perfectly rated which is why you hardly hear it.
Most of the song is great, but you can tell it was a mish-mash of random pieces that the members had. Their unimpressive transitions between the verses/pre chorus/chorus are proof of that. The pre-chorus is particularly clunky and sloppily put in there. If you took it out you would improve the song remarkably while hiding the low effort transitions.
There is nothing wrong with mashing up different pieces of music that you have to make a song, but jarring changes like that prechorus absolutely need to be treated with more consideration than scotch-taping it to the song.
I only give them hell for it because these guys had the talent to refine the song to mesh well more than the amateur effort they seemingly put into it. Oh and I give them hell because the verse and the chorus are too amazing to be held back by such things from such artists.
Oh and let's be real, that slide in the bassline in the beginning sounds cool the first time it's slid, after that it's loses all of its Jazzy illustrious goodness.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980
Grammy corruption was called out two Summers ago. Grammy Awards are now worthless. Same with the Smithsonian, but that was called out over twenty years ago already.
Probably my favorite 80s tune. What a great time this was for bassists!
I loved Too Shy and Kajagoogoo and always wondered why I never heard anything else from them on the radio. Thanks Professor.
Limahl's "Never Ending Story" is still one of my all time favourite 80's songs.
I almost never tear up over a movie, but I couldn't keep my eyes dry during the scene in which the kid's horse dies in Never Ending Story. That was one of the few kid's movies that really left an impression on me as an adult. And, Lamahl's theme was one of my favorite records of (based on its USA release) 1985.
It was a deeply moving film.
My sisters loved this song, but I was into different music at the time. Later in life, I picked up the bass. When I listened to this song again, I realized the bass line that Nick Beggs laid down was absolutely epic. One of the best of the New Wave era. Hard to believe the band didn't become bigger but it happens. Nick Beggs had success later on and deservedly so. He is overlooked and shouldn't be.
He’s a truly great bassist.
Unfortunately a lot of talented 80s musicians weren't taken seriously because at the time so much music was seen as shallow and a product of labels more focused on being visually appealing for MTV. This was especially the case when bands were popular with teen girls, or the members were attractive; hey were dismissed as mere pretty-boy bands. But thankfully decades later people are sitting down and appreciating the talent these musicians had. You have Nick Beggs, and John Taylor from Duran Duran (the bass in Rio is sick)
Two of my all time favorite songs are from the early 80's and both are heavy on synth and bass. (Keep Feeling) Fascination 1981 The Human League and Too Shy 1983 Kajagoogoo.
Both great songs.
Nick Beggs is an extremely gifted musician. It's been great seeing him collaborate with Howard Jones.
Good call Mark.
He is very talented.
You might want to check out the pdbass channel here on YT, which features a great breakdown of Beggs' bass work on "Too Shy."
I love Howard Jones and his music.
I've seen him with Kim Wilde as well.
"Too Shy" is one of those songs that instantly transports me back to when I was a young man in the 80's. Such a great time of my life and such great music from so many artists back then! I truly miss it. Soft Cell's version of "Tainted Love" was a favorite of mine and of my girlfriend at the time, who would later become my wife. I can't imagine my life without these songs and the memories they bring!
British new wave rocks!
Especially the extended mix where 'Where did our love go' is included.
Sublime!
The same thing happened with the Kingsmen in the '60s, when lead singer Jack Ely was fired after "Louie Louie."
"Too Shy" brings back great memories for me from the spring of '83; it was one of the many Europop/technopop hits of that era.
Absolutely the most tasty bass line of the 80s. Masterful composition and performance on the four string bass. Perfection. Underrated genius.
I love the way you interview and interact with these “Legends” of rock and music. They are so excited to be given a chance to express their appreciation of their Achievements by someone who is Not after something other than the love of History and their contributions to it. I love watching them grab their guitars 🎸 and Twang their priceless knowledge and relive the functionality of their achievements like a teacher which they all are. We done Professor 🎼 🎶 .
The Neverending story gets you right in the feels. That song makes me tear up every time. Just so good.
I have always been a huge fan of that song.
The feels? Are you talking about the weenie?
funny enough Too Shy was produced by Duran Durans keyboardist Nick Rhodes and Colin Thurston, the latter of whom had produced Duran Duran's first two albums. loved that you knew this and it was widely known at the time and many of us Duranies ran to the song and loved it.
The Prof says Too Shy had a killer bassline.
Give a listen to Ooh to be ah from the same Kajagoogoo album, still with Limahl.
That bassline is even better, greater. Sheer genius.
I’ve always dug this song. And yes, the man doesn’t age.
❤️💜💚
He is truly young at heart.
Really appreciate the fact that when a different song / artist / bass line or whatever comes up in conversation, you show the clip right there so we can immediately understand the context. I'm guessing that takes quite a lot of effort to do properly, so thanks :)
Too shy was an epic hit and amazing part of my early MTV viewing days. Limahl had a great voice and such an unusual look. Loved his voice in both songs...
Limahl's voice is so great. The 80's was the last time we had good unapologetic male vocals. Singers like David Sylvian, Jimmy Somerville, Mark Hollis and Bryan ferry a few just off the top of my head, no tricks just licks.
He is really a nice man Thanks for the interview to see this side of him.
Too Shy by Kajagoogoo is one of my favorite one-hit-wonders of the 1980's. Very memorable song.
It's so catchy.
It’s super good! 😊
I don't even remember this song or band. I do remember "never ending story" .
I like when Adam refers to songs like this as ‘Lightning in a Bottle’. Obviously there are some songs that are the epitome of that, but when a band still has a a modicum of success, yeah, maybe the individual song was the only big hit, but something there’s something more there.
"Too Shy" is one of the 80's songs that has really stuck with me ever since I heard it. And not just as a recollection like "Hungry Like The Wolf" or "I Ran", I distinctly remember LOVING this song as a kid. And I was 4 years old at the time, so that's really saying something! Add to that the fact that "The Neverending Story" is my all-time favourite childhood movie, and knowing that Limahl was involved in the title track was awesome!
Just to add some balance, Kajagoogoo had numerous hits worldwide and were massive in Japan. Saw them live
You mean Kaja?
Lovelovelove Kajagoogoo! Their albums White Feathers, Islands, and Crazy People's Right to Speak are all awesome. Nick Beggs is my bass guitar hero, and Limahl's The Neverending Story is from the movie of the same name and a direct connection to my childhood. It's my favorite movie of all time, being born in 83. Thanks so much for posting this video!!! You're so lucky to have met Limahl :)
I'm so glad I discovered this channel. I'm a music geek, thought I knew a LOT about pop and rock music but I'm learning a lot from this channel.
What I love about this channel, what got me hooked was that he does not drag the view along knowing they were hooked by the title and thumbnail and not mention the song title or band until near the end thinking everyone is gonna wait. As when I found The Professor of Rock many channels would hook people in what turned out to be click bait "what this person ended up doing was incredible" "youwont believe what happened next" shite. Professor of Rock always delivers and never disappoints.
I can still remember seeing "The Neverending Story" in the theater as a kid. When the song came on at the end of the movie, it was just one of those songs that immediately dug its hooks deep into your soul.
It was a cool movie.
I graduated HS in 1992, so I'm thinking that Neverending Story was released when I was in junior high school, so 1987 or 1988. I completed each year in school in line with the 1980s: 1984, I finished 4th grade; 1988, 8th grade; and all the rest.
The never-ending story was actually released in 1984, and the theme song was a single in 1984-85 (hitting the US Top 20 in the first half of 1985)
There was a Kajagoogoo reunion in 2009 - 2010, with a number of shows and a new recording. The original 5 piece band played of course the White Feathers album, a selection of Limahl's solo bests, stuff from their after Limahl era with Limahl on lead vocals.
Beggs then said, after remastering and re-releasing old tracks, having played live basicaly everything, it was okay to close this chapter and move forward.
True. However inter band issues started up again, and this time the manger Paul Ryan wasn’t involved.
Nick Beggs made this band with probably one of best bass lines produced at a the time , on a par with Mark King ( Level 42) and a whole bunch of players Stateside . This new wave of Brit funk was bass driven like other bands , not vocals driven . The lyrics considered corny . This 21 year old kid made doing everything possible with a bass , look easy . Beggs went on to work with many great musicians and producing some great pieces and still out there .
Never Ending Story is one of my favorite songs of all time which is odd because I like metal, classic rock, and 1980’s alternative so it is much more dramatic and theatrical than what I typically listen too. I played it often for years well before it got popular again on Stranger Things. Too Shy is good too but it can’t compare to Never Ending Story. Never Ending Story seems to get better as time progresses. There something about it that is just magical, inspiring, yet very nostalgic and so 1980’s I love it.
To have been a teenager when this song blew up was amazing. The VH1 Bands Reunited for the Kajagoogoo episode was amazing for all the right reasons.
Just when I think you have reached the pinnacle in your interviews, you shatter that with another one even better !! Great interview with Limahl and the story behind too shy. Great song then and just as great today. Thank you for your dedication to music !!
I agree! Kept looking at time left in interview..didn't want it to end :)
Yeah, sure, i loved it too ❤
Thank you for covering these guys. One of my favorite bands during the 80’s, right alongside Echo and the Bunnymen.
The dude looks great for being 65
Loved this interview! I'm more of a 70's girl and never really liked Too Shy but he is such a sweet guy in the interview and of course I loved Never Ending Story!! As with all your featured songs, I'm now going to watch both those videos!! Much love....
Loved Limahl's voice.
Thank for having this one. Too shy was so awesome. Brings back my High School years.
Great interview, I love that you just let people talk and speak their minds. Too many modern YT interviewers are either gushing or they ask irrelevant questions - but you nail it every time 👍 Keep it up, brother!
So glad you did this! Absolutely love the song "Too Shy" and performance! And wondered.... I have this song on different playlists of mine.
I was born in '57 myself, and absolutely love Motown too, so that's probably part of the reason I can relate to this.
Never Ending Story, always a favorite!
You can never go wrong with Motown.
loved this, love too shy and never-ending, and wept tears during THAT Stanger Things scene
Good to see Limahl after all these years. Midge Ure got his first name similarly. His name is Jim, but he decided to make it backwards.
Too shy was a joke to me and my circle back then but I always found myself singing along to it. I guess I secretly liked it. It's nostalgic now. Still never play it even though I can hear any song I want to now with the click of a "button". It takes me back...good times.
I am probably alone in the fact that I am a huge fan of Nick Beggs! His solo work, The Mute Gods, and most notably as a crucial member of Steven Wilson's (Porcupine Tree) solo band. His bass chops are amazing! And few approach his mastery of the Chapman Stick! Rock on Nick!
No , you're not alone 😊
Kaja post Limahl were fantastic. Nick Beggs continues to be a phenomenal musician and now playa along with his daughters, going by The Beggs Sisters.
@@sidle I imagine he includes himself as one of the sisters. Creepy weirdo.
@@Bonzi_Buddy Knowing Nick he will be honoured at the title.
@@Bonzi_Buddy No. He loves his daughters and is naturally very proud of them. As a father, and a musician. Creepy weirdo? You haven't got a clue.
He's one of the most honest, approachable people in the business.
Still sounds great - that bassline is fantastic! some 40 years after it came out. Didn't know Kajagoogoo had songs after Too Shy. Of course Never Ending Story is a great song in itself too.
The song turned 40 years old on January 10. We all feel old now.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 ... Young girl, old soul.
He seems like a thoroughly decent bloke. Great voice too
I first heard 'Too Shy' when I was 12, and I've loved it ever since then! The baseline is amazing. I didn't watch the Never Ending Story until the '90s, but it's a beautiful song. Another song by Kajagoogoo that's amazing is 'Hang on Girl' from the White Feathers album.
Superb taste. I’d check out the post Limahl albums which are also superb, Islands and Crazy Peoples Right to Speak.
Kajagoogoo!
Man, what a blast from the past! Very catchy tune....... shame it was their only hit.
Thanks for jogging my memory on this one, Professor!
You're welcome Roger!
Professor, you have outdone yourself!! You really captured the time, the look, the feel, the song, and a great interview with Limahl, well done!!
Wow. Thank you for that whole interview. I remember stumbling onto the MV for Neverending Story, maybe 7 or 8 years ago, and discovering that it was a guy who sang the song and of course the video was totally 80s style and I didn't know what to think. Now I do, and his story filled in all the gaps and it's pretty cool. This is why I love your channel. For me, it's part nostalgia and then learning something new. It's like newly reconnecting to my youth. Thank you!
Wish I could go back to that magical decade of the 80's. So many great memories. Limahl is a splendid human being.
Funny thing, loved the song but never knew the band or that LiMahl was part of it. UA-cam has taught me so much about music (The Cowsills was another thing I got thanks to UA-cam...very grateful for it too) Love Neverending Story's theme. One of my fave songs.
I remember the song….I was only 7 at the time but I remember it….I just wanna say what a cool dude Lamahl is! That was cool! I could tell he appreciated your knowledge as well….he sure knows his stuff about music though….it doesn’t surprise me that he was a success….he had a grasp of what people liked before people even knew what they liked.
Holy crap! Great interview! Such a part of the soundtrack of my life. I couldn't love this more. ❤
Oh man, this song was such an earworm lol. After decades, you've put it back into my head. Gee, thanks Prof lol! BTW, love the Petty shirt!
Love the song and love hearing what influences these musicians. I’m also a huge lover of Northern Soul. Keep the faith!
As a bassist I learned this bass line. It’s challenging to say the least.
Iconic. Pure Iconic legend.
This is the greatest example of a band that had all that it took to be one of the top bands of the 80s and one bad decision totally derailed their career to be fair the two kajagoogoo albums with Nick Beggs leading are quite good
Firing Limahl was “career suicide.”
What a classic man. One of my top 5 from the 80s for sure. And of course, it's just as fascinating to see the stories behind it.
Thanks RC32. Always appreciate your comments...
@@ProfessorofRock Pleasure is all mine.
He is a very kind dude.
28 years old and it bums me out I missed the 80’s. Still play Too Shy in 2023
Met him during the production of the Neverending Story movie. Limahl was amazing. A great artist no doubt.
Simply sensational video professor, thanks for another wonderful trip down memory lane. Hearing Neverending Story always pulls me back to that time in my childhood. Brilliant!
Glad you enjoyed it Ken!
Great video! I had an older brother who was always up with the cool music! In high school I loved “Never Ending Story,” song! I sang it for an audition for traveling choir assembly. Yup, nailed it and got into the group!
I'm so glad Limahl talked about loving the artwork on vinyl.
Records was a whole very exciting experience everything about them. Then we got CD's, they were never as good as the Records but at least they were something tangible.
Then there was I-Tunes, that was the day buying Music was destroyed for me, & I'm sure it was the same for anyone over about the age of 39.
The Milenials & others that have only purchased Music on I-Tunes & similar have missed out the whole experience of buying & owning Vinyl.
Fantastic interview with Limahl.
I didn’t know who sang the song when I was younger, but it was so amazing to me! Of course the movie was just as captivating and while I forgot about it over the course of time I was in a video store, saw it there on the shelf and purchased a copy and actually appreciated it even more when I viewed it! ❤
This is a great interview. The repeated references to other songs and artists make me miss the 80's so much. I didn't know lots of the details and history covered here. Thank you.
Thanks for listening
@@ProfessorofRock It's really nice to hear the references and the relationships between different musicians.
Honestly, great interview and flashback into my , elementary and junior high school days. I had a huge crush on Limahl. What a talented man. I had no idea. Thank you for sharing. I’m following him on IG now. Support his continuing music career. Well done!
That was one of the greats of the 80's. I moved from the U.K. to France a while back and the lady who owns the local bar near me absolutely longs this song. We often play it.
Never knew this story thanks for the wonderful story. With his voice I hope he is still singing. I would not be surprised if he had another hit, he can really sing.
Soft Cell and the Pet Shop Boys had a very recent hit song, so I believe in Limahl.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I will check out what Soft Cell did recently. Have not heard of them in a while, thanks.
@@badgerpa9 “Purple Zone” is what it’s called. I LOVE the music video, it’s such an awesome clip.
Love "Too Shy" and "Hang on Now", but after they fired Limahl they released the album "Islands" (Extra Play in the U.S.) and that one is a masterpiece!
Such a great interview! He’s an icon! Love this episode!
1 of the reasons I love this channel is I continue to learn about the iconic songs from my childhood. I had no idea that he was the 1 who sang Never ending Story! And that was 1 of my dad's favs. so I heard it a lot! The 1st time I heard Too Shy, I was in the living room at my grandmother's house and we used to listen to a local radio station on Friday nights that played all the newest songs, often times for the 1st time in our area. My cousin was there and he kept repeating Too Too Shy Shy.. And I kept saying no, I think it's just 1 'Too' and we debated it forever. He still to this day say Too Too, I think on purpose ;)
I had almost forgotten about this great song. Loved it at the time. Liked Limahl in this interview too. Didn't try to claim everything was his idea, pretty down to earth guy. Also impressed that he looked better at 60 something than he did at 20 something.
Isn't it a great song>
He’s practically ageless.
I can relate to what he said. In the 80's I was blessed to be a part of a great band that rocketed to local stardom and played and toured with superstars, but our own internal conflicts and egos brought it to an end. Egos and youth is never a good thing. BTW, I would have loved to hear more about the production and sounds used on this song...especially the chorus. Thanks for sharing.
When there’s too much toxicity, it is totally appropriate to remove yourself from the situation.
I stayed for your enthusiasm, then trivia, and then you actually interview Limahl! 👏👏👏
I just discovered Limahl a week ago. Kajagoogoo was not a band I followed in the '80s. I love his duet with Mandy. I love the tone of Limahl's voice. He is very charismatic. It's too bad the band made a very bad decision. I'm happy for Limahl that he had a huge hit with Neverending Story. It really showcased his talent. I've always loved that song. I hope I get a chance to see him live.
He has a gorgeous face, a beautiful smile, a great personality, a good sense of humor and a great laugh. I have a serious crush on him...for life.❤❤❤
I enjoyed this interview.
Lol 😂 believe me, you are not alone ❤
Adam you have an ability to take songs and bands that I obviously knew about, but maybe wasn’t a big fan of, and presenting the story in a way that makes me see it all in a whole new light. I attribute that to your unmatched passion for what you do. I mean I graduated HS in 1984… was much more into hard rock/Hair Metal etc, I remember Too Shy, and all of the huge New Wave bands & songs, but would much rather listen to everything from AC/DC to Van Halen Twisted Sister & everything g in between. But I’ve begun to appreciate the entire 2nd British Invasion & the New Wave phenomenon much more since becoming a fan & subscriber of Professor of Rock. Thank you for all of the trips down memory lane! May you never run out of material!!
Quick edit: to hear him say that the band members musical influences ranged from Devo to Frank Zappa & the Manhattan Transfer is mind boggling. Let’s you realize that so much more goes into every band, every song, every performance than when you just hear the finished product on the radio! Just fascinating.
Thanks Billy!
You can definitely hear the motown influence had on Limahl with an 80s synthesizer pop also you can hear the other band members love of Devo and Zappa. Too Shy was massive because it is so catchy. Had to feel good getting another hit after getting fired, great episode and interview professor
Right?
Another band that hit in 1983, Spandau Ballet, were hugely influenced by Motown. (Listen to Marvin all night long!)
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 yes, you could definitely hear motown in many of the hits in the 80s, I have always loved Motown
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 I believe it was ABC that did When Smokey Sings about Smokey Robinson
@@MyName-pl7zn Motown is awesome. Nothing will ever replace it.
I can appreciate how gracious Limahl about getting fired from Kajagoogoo. Even 20 years ago when they did the Bands Reunited special on VH1. The band really did him dirty.
Absolutely great interview with Limahl but absolutely detestable commercial interferences... I only wished the interview was longer. 🥰🥰🥰
I’ve always loved The Never Ending Story!
Great movie!
@@ProfessorofRock I cry every time!
It will always be a perfect song to me.
Bands Reunited on VH1 is fantastic. All of the band come across very well. Never Ending Story is superb and has really stood the test of time. I guess Limahl was the ultimate winner despite being forced out of the band given the longevity of his most famous hit. It has taken him around the world and is a beloved song in so many territories. Nick Beggs has since played with Howard Jones. Hamill is pronounced Ham- ill ( sorry!). There is a fantastic 12" mix of Never Ending Story. His hometown Wigan is in the shadow of its larger neighbour Manchester but it can be proud of the mark Limahl has made on music. Even if you are not a fan of their output, the Bands Reunited programme is really interesting and moving.
Never Ending Story will be the song I remember (more than Too Shy) my kids loved that movie and we would watch all the time..... and sing the song!
By the way, my wife's family is from Preston...... Preston Proud!
@@TheSlowoldman My wife really liked the movie when she was growing up.
@@TheSlowoldman It is a proud working class city. Not been for a few years but we saw Deacon Blue at the Guildhall after encountering some escaped horses on the dual carriageway on the way there. That was unexpected shall we say. More like the Wild West.
Yes. You're probably right.
I love this guy's channel. He adds sounds and video as context to what is being discussed. This helps so much for following along. First time here. Subscribing now.
Limahl looks GREAT!! Wow....cheers to him.