Too Shy on the Radio
There was a radio station in Howell N.J. called the Q. I don’t remember the call letters but it was 89.7FM on the radio dial. It was a small station located behind a strip mall off Route 9.
I think they started the station with “The Nuggets” box set and a few best of the 1980 and best of the 1970’s compact discs. Honestly, they didn’t need much else. Every song was great and they played songs that hadn't been played on radio in years.Every morning around 7:15 they played “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer. They played “Rambling Man” by Bob Segar around drive home time. It was the only time I heard “Psychotic Reaction” by the Count Five on the radio.
No one before or since played such great rarities.
One song they played a lot was a 1980’s classic called “Too Shy” by Kajagoogoo. The song was an early 80’s hit that is still fun to hear today. It’s why Mix references the song in Chapter 24 of Mix Tapes and Stuff.
Kajagoogoo was formed in 1982 and were a one hit wonder in America. “Too Shy” peaked at #5 on the singles charts in 1983. They actually had more hits in Britian until the lead singer Limahl either quit or was fired. Pick a website and there is conflict over the split so take a side because there is no official reason. The remaining members of the band changed the band name to Kaja in 1985, but no one in America cared. They broke up later that year.
Don’t feel bad for Limahl because he would have another hit in the 1980’s. The song for “The Never Ending Story” was a worldwide hit.
In case you wondered, Limahl was an anagram of the lead singer’s last name Hamill.
If you want to read about either, here are the links.
As for 89.7FM, the station was forced to switch formats after around four years of great radio. I was told there was some rule in New Jersey that stations that low on the dial had to be religious and/or public service. The new station has a loyal following of people that like the religious music format. The station itself is still successful.
They don’t play “Too Shy” so I don’t bother to listen to them.
You can hear some of the greats if you buy the Nuggets albums. Here's the link: