This Day in ’85: Limahl Stops By American Bandstand

35 years ago today, Limahl – yes, the former lead singer of Kajagoogoo – made his one and only appearance on American Bandstand, chatting it up with host Dick Clark and even bringing a very special guest with him. 

When Limahl parted ways with Kajagoogoo in the wake of their debut album, WHITE FEATHERS, many thought sure that it would be the end of two careers, but they were wrong: the band soldiered onward, and Limahl was fortunate enough to team up with super-producer Giorgio Moroder and perform the theme song to the fantasy film The Never Ending Story. 

As part of the promotional blitz for the single, Limahl popped up on the long-running ABC series American Bandstand to perform two tunes – “The Never Ending Story” and “Only for Love” – but he brought someone along with him: Beth Anderson, the female vocalist who also performs on the tune. 

The interesting thing, however, is that – as you know if you just watched the video for the song – that’s not Anderson doing her singing!  

Since Anderson was in America, i.e. the same place where she recorded her vocals, they ended up having Mandy Newton, one of Limahl’s backup singers, just lip-synch Anderson’s part. As such, this was only the second time that Limahl and Anderson had everperformed together...and the first time had taken place only a week earlier, when they performed on Solid Gold! 

Truly, the ‘80s were a glorious time to be alive...