Nick’s not Too Shy for a new chapter in his life
Nick Beggs with the children's books he has written and illustrated.
Leighton celebrity musician Nick Beggs, who is currently rubbing shoulders with the likes of Kim Wilde, has now started a new chapter of his life as he celebrates the launch of a new series of children’s books.
Most famously known for playing the Chapman Stick in the 1980s band, Kajagoogoo, Nick, 50, of Plantation Road, Leighton, was proud to announce the release of his first book series, Dangerous Potatoes, yesterday.
The dad-of-five says the inspiration behind writing his series of books was his children – Willow, 10, Jake, 16, Callum, 16, Olivia, 19, and Lula, 21.
Nick said: “Dangerous Potatoes was born out of a bedtime story over 21 years of reading them to my own children because you become quite adept at telling them after that many years.
“My children loved my stories so much that they urged me to make them into a book.
“It is quite a gothic story that is actually a little scary, but funny too, which seems to captivate children.
“So it’s a really exciting time for me and the pre-orders on the website have had a great reponse. I am really proud of it.”
The musician’s impressive venture brought him back to his roots as he has both written and illustrated the books himself, after originally training as an illustrator at an art college.
Art was in Nick’s blood as his family were keen for him to follow in their footsteps, but he had to drop out after his mother died when Nick was just 17, leaving him to look after his younger sister.
He said: “I knew then that I wanted to become a musician, but now I feel like I have come full circle, which is quite interesting.”
After signing a record deal back in 1982, Nick shot to fame at a tender of age of 20 and just one year later had successfully reached number one in the UK singles chart with one of their biggest hits Too Shy.
Nick is now celebrating 30 years of being in the music business and is about to embark on a tour of Europe with Kim Wilde during October.
He also got back from Los Angeles last week after recording an album and touring with Steven Wilson and in November is due to be in South America performing with Rick Wakeman and the English Rock Ensemble.
For now though, Nick is excited to be doing promotional work for the release of his new book series and hopes one day that the books could have Hollywood success.
He said: “My wife is a big champion of this project and we have spoken about about one day making the book into a film.
“A dream of mine would be for Tim Burton to make it, which would be fantastic.”
For more about the books, search Dangerous Potatoes on Facebook or visit www.dangerouspotatoes.com.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Tuesday 21 May 2013
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Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 14 C
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