I guess I was a Nick Beggs early adopter. Back in high school, I really liked the debut Kajagoogoo album but I was more than happy to hold on for the ride as their second album emerged, sans Limahl and with Beggs taking over the lead vocal spot. That album, Islands, is a true '80's gem. The third album, less so, but still a nice listen here and there.
Fast forward to 2008. I was absolutely shocked to hear of a new Kajagoogoo album (Gone To The Moon) with Beggs at the helm, even more shocked that they were giving it away as a free download. While I don't recall my exact album ranking for that year, I know that both Gone To The Moon and SW's Insurgentes were in my top 5 and that Kajagoogoo ranked higher in my world.
One reason this may have been a freebie is because the release was right on top of a full Kajagoogoo reunion with Limahl returning on vocals. The result was an ep called Death Defying Headlines and I remember that a US tour was to follow (a venue within about a half-hour of where I live was already announcing the show). I don't recall the story from here but the whole thing somehow fell through.
All that said, I am beyond stoked that Beggs has become one of the go-to bass/stick players on the planet as he currently plays with some of my favorite artists. Even more stoked for The Mute Gods, that he is able to front his own project once again while carrying on with all of his other high profile gigs. Perhaps someday we'll be able to see him on a SW tour where The Mute Gods are the opener.
A couple other notes...
- I recall reading a list of the artists with whom Beggs has recorded and/or performed live with, it was extraordinary (edit, found it on his website, pasted below...)
- He was actually a full-fledged member of Iona for two albums, The Book Of Kells (picture of the back cover below) & Beyond These Shores.
Nick has also recorded and toured with the following artists…
ABC
Alphaville
Art Nouveau
Belinda Carlisle
Celtus
China Crisis
Cliff Richard
Curiosity Killed The Cat
D:Ream
Dr. Richard Niles
David Arnold
Ellis, Beggs & Howard
Engelbert Humperdinck
Fish on Friday
Gary Numan
Go West
Howard Jones
Helen Shapiro
Iona
John Paul Jones
Kajagoogoo
Kim Wilde
Maddy Prior
Mark Shaw
Michael Bolton
Midge Ure
Nena
Nick Heyward
Nik Kershaw
Polysics
Rick Wakeman
Right Said Fred
Seal
Steve Hackett
Steve Howe
Steven Wilson
T’Pau
Terl Bryant
Then Jerico
Tony Hadley
Toyah Willcox
Warren Cuccurullo
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