Radio Interview with Sue Marchant

I’ts Limahl........Good morning.

Good morning Sue, yes I created a wave of dodgy hair on the world, it’s all my fault.

Dodgy hair on the world, now I’ve got to call the matron in on this because the matron looks after the program here!

Yeah.

We were just discussing earlier, are you actually a brunette or are you a blonde?

I’m dark.

You’re dark?

I’ll tell you what happened, alright, in 1981 I was in a theatre show in Westcliff On Sea.

Right.

It was called Godspell and there’s 5 guys and girls in the show and all the guys had mousy brown hair, that was it and the girls was like a blonde, there was a red head there was a brunette, so I went to the director and said look I’ve always fancied being blonde and it would look good in the show, is it ok? He said yeah go for it, and that’s really what sort of started it off.

We like it don’t we? We think you’re a trend setter Limahl, it looks super.

Well it’s gone now.

What is the hair like now for tomorrow night?

The hair is derivative.

Right, ok.

I hate that word it sounds medicinal, doesn’t it?

Yes, that answered that question then matron, hasn’t it? Now then you’ve had great successes in the 80's and what have you been up to since?

Oh boy, have you got 2 hours?

No, no!

I’ve been doing loads of things, but basically, during the 90's I was sort of doing production, remixing and sort of working with dl’s. Did a bit of work with Kim Wilde and Peter Andre if you want a few famous names, but in 1997 I was in south London, my mobile rang, it was an agent, he said I’ve got a show for you in 6 weeks you need a band, you need an 1 hour set and I need an answer this afternoon and that’s really how I started sort of being Limahl again and what had happened was at that time was the first 80's compilation had been released and went to #1 and then there was just a chain of them. Radio stations started having 80's shows and night clubs were having 80's nights, it just took off from there and I had really put Limahl in the drawer and put a padlock on it. I just didn’t think it was going to happen again.

Well yeah, like this new show that’s starting out Hit Me Baby One More Time, that’s almost like a relaunch type thing, are you happy about something like that?

It’s always slightly unnerving to think you’re going to be judged when in many ways you already proved yourself, but it’s the world we live in isn’t it, it’s reality tv, it’s the networks grabbing a few hands with phone calls, etc. and you can’t fight it, just go on with it, so I’ll enjoy the experience of working with artists like Gloria Gaynor and I’ve worked with Howard Jones before and he’s a cool guy and my mum’s coming down from Wigan.

As long as you’re mum’s there that’s the main thing.

My mum will be in the audience cheering me on, my brother is coming down as well. I’ll just treat it as a fun day out. And I’m not really looking beyond that because you just set yourself up for emotional disappointment don’t you, if you’re going to win.

Well yeah. I suppose it is interactive tv the fact is, your life is in their hands.

Thanks, yeah I don’t know how I feel about that, you know you’ve just got to get on with it, you’ve got to put yourself out there, do your best and enjoy it, don’t take it too seriously .I suppose my life is in their hands really....well for one night anyway.

You say the word Limahl? Or limall? You’re not a shopping centre, are you Limahl?

You know, I’ve already had a call from an agent offering me something and it was a rather good offer, actually, so I was considering it, then I got another call saying oh, I’m sorry we got the wrong Limahl, it was Lemar, I knew that was going to happen.

No, oh heck!

Yeah, I was there first but I mean he’s the current guy and I think he’s excellent by the way.

He’s got interesting hair as well by the way ,but getting back to yours now, you were sort of fit at that time. Are you still looking fit?

I look great sweetie!

Do you darling?

Yeah I look great. I like to think I’m a bit like Lulu, you know Lulu? She’s cool she looks great, she’s in her 50's I want people to go WOW Limahl’s nearly 50, he’s looking great. Ran into pictures of Peter Stringfellow the other day.....

Yeah he’s scary, he’s definitely scary!

He’s put a bit of weight on, but....

So Saturday night’s when it all happens which is tomorrow night, which is kind of like the pre sort of interplanetary experience, on the other side, so do you think it’s going to be a scary planet, Howard Jones how’s he looking for instance?

I did a show with Howard in Germany about 6 months ago, he looks quite different actually, he’s come really short on his hair and you’re caught in a time capsule with a pop video, it’s played and played, the song gets played the pictures get printed and the people remember you from that moment which is scary enough, from 22 years ago. So yeah we’ve all changed a bit and some more than others obviously.

Yeah, but the music lives on though doesn’t it, I mean Too Shy and the Neverending Story, they’re like anthems aren’t they?

But we are lucky in that sense, that I mean for me those 2 songs were #1 all over the world and they just keep me working and working, I do laugh really.

You’re global god!

I’m not a global god, but....I just think it’s a gift really to be able to work on the strength of 2 #1 fits from 22 years ago. I think that my imaged played a little part in it, everyone’s always interested in what’s the hair like now, what’s he like now, is he sad fat and old and of course I am not!

Well i’ve got a secret to share with you, I’ve looked at your website which is www.limahl.com

Yeah, thanks for plugging it.

I was interested you see, George Clooney, Limahl, you’re all up there together, so I was looking at that, there’s a lot of early photographs on there, I’m not sure if I would of put those on there, but your brave.

Oh you think I should remove them?

No not exactly just more with less clothes on would be really good!

*Limahl laughs*

Another thing how would you rate your chances on Saturday night?

I don’t know, I mean that’s the 64000 dollar question. I think it really depends on the night how people perform how they look how they come across, who can tell?

Well we’ll be watching and rooting for you.

Thank you!

Of course if anyone wants to vote then you’ve got to go to ITV at 5.45pm and you’ll be singing....... You sound pretty cool Limahl, Limahl it’s been a pleasure talking to you.......do you have any plans for a new album or anything?

I’ve got some great new recordings, it would be wonderful I don’t want to think too hard about it and get set up for disappointment but, I’ve never stopped writing, it’s like riding a bike, once you’ve written songs and taken something right from you’re head, from you’re heart, a spark of an idea and turn it into something that blossoms inti something fantastic you never lose that and it’s always a thrill still to do I. I’ve just finished some new stuff and it will be great to have some vehicle, if you like, more than others.

It happens different ways for people now, doesn’t it? You’ve never been away really, you’ve been in the hearts of many a cool guy and all of us women for a long time and long may you continue to do so.

Maybe it be never ending , eh?

Never ending, thank you darling.

Thank you Sue!

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