Los Angeles' Go-Go's formed in May, 1978, as part of the burgeoning LA punk/new wave scene. The nascent line up was a quartet consisting of Belinda Carlisle on vocals (under the nom de plume of "Dottie Danger"), Jane Wiedlin (as "Jane Drano") on guitar, Margot Olivarria on bass and Elissa Bello on drums.
But success would take longer to find them than it did most of their contemporaries in the LA scene. In June of 1978, only two months after forming, Go-Go's became a quintet with the addition of Eyes bassist Charlotte Caffey, who switched to guitar upon joining. Charlotte's "professional" background helped build the band's ambition. Except for Bello who was not taking her bandmates' ambitions seriously. The rest of the band decided to drop Bello. With virtually no confrontation, Bello was replaced by Gina Schock, who had previously drummed for Edie and the Eggs, a band fronted by John Waters screen oddity Edith "The Egg Lady" Massey. Now bolstered with a second "professional" musician the band began to get noticed.
They headed into a studio and recorded five songs as a demo. From this, their manager, Ginger Canzoneri, managed to get them booked on a UK tour as an opening act for two-tone trendsetters Madness and The Specials. These two bands were able to convince their label, Stiff Records, to release a single of "We Got The Beat" (with "How Much More" as the b-side). Despite becoming a big import dance hit in the US, Stiff was particularly unimpressed with the band and did not sign them. It is important to note that their first hit tune, "Our Lips Are Sealed" was written by Jane Wiedlin and The Specials' Terry Hall during this period...
Back in the States and undaunted by their lack of a record deal, Go-Go's participated in an industry
showcase at LA's famed Starwood in 1979 -- a concert where label reps see and hear a large number of unsigned
bands. It was here that I.R.S. honcho Miles Copeland first heard the girls. But it would be a year before he
officially signed them.
In 1980, shortly after being signed (and being filmed for the punk concert film, URGH A MUSIC WAR), Olivarria fell ill and was replaced by Textones guitarist Kathy Valentine, who switched to bass -- sort of the opposite of what Charlotte did. Unlike the replacement of Bello, this transition was anything but smooth, with Olivarria suing the rest of the band (a settlement was later reached out of court). Now with a signed record contract and most troubles behind them, the energized Go-Go's went into the studio with producers Rob Freeman (of Blondie production fame) and Richard Gottehrer, whose track record for making hits was spanning into three decades (Angels in the 60's, Blondie in the 70's and now Go-Go's in the 80's).
The LP BEAUTY AND THE BEAT was released in the Summer of 1981. Airplay of the first single and associated word of mouth slowly grew and over a half a year later Go-Go's became the first all-girl rock band to go #1 on the Billboard Charts. It was also I.R.S.'s first #1 album and first gold and first platinum album.
The following Summer their second LP was released as an instant best-seller, featuring the single "Vacation" which was a reworked Valentine-penned Textones tune. But things were not going smoothly at this point. Manager Canzoneri quit the music business; Charlotte was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, effectively hampering her guitar playing and moreso her keyboarding (in reality she had some addiction troubles); and (like The Cramps the previous year) Go-Go's had financial disagreements with I.R.S. (again, the issue was later settled out of court). All these disruptions led to a near two-year break between VACATION and its anticipated follow-up...
But troubles still plagued Go-Go's as they recorded their third LP, TALK SHOW with New Hormones producer Martin Rushent in London in the winter of 1983/4. A hole was discovered in Gina's heart and she immediately underwent corrective surgery. She made a quick recovery, fortunately, and was able to tour in support of TALK SHOW in 1984. But all was not well in "Go-Go-land..."
In late 1984 Jane Wiedlin became the first Go-Go to fly the coop. Kathy moved back to guitar and a new bassist, Paula Jean Brown, took over bass duties until Go-Go's officially broke up in May 1985. Belinda Carlisle was the next Go-Go to do a solo record, with close support from Charlotte Caffey (who later formed The Graces with Meredith Brooks). Gina formed a band called House Of Schock, and a few years later briefly teamed with ex-Bangle Debbie Peterson in a band called Smashbox. Kathy Valentine has kept a low profile, occaisionally playing for many of her musician friends. Belinda Carlisle has had the highest profile of any of the "ex-Go-Go's".
In 1990 I.R.S. decided to release a Greatest Hits collection. The band reunited in support of the album and even recorded a new version "Cool Jerk" for it. The reunion was shortlived and all parties soon went back to their solo activities. Then, in 1995, they learned that I.R.S. was planning to release another collection of Go-Go's material, this time a double CD with not only a few of the hits but also a lot of rarities (the cult tune "Johnny Are You Queer", for example was first recorded and ultimately not released by Go-Go's and went on to be a big (only?) hit for Josie Cotton), live cuts and unreleased b-sides. They decided to re-unite, tour and even record some new tunes. BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE GO-GO'S spawned a hit tune ("The Whole World Lost It's Head") but despite this they packed up yet again and went their separate ways. A third reunion in 1999 and accompanying tour in 2000 with a reformed Pretenders showed the women in mature form, both personally and musically. They were so well received on tour that they headed into the studio at year's end to work on a brand new Go-Go's album of all new material. GOD BLESS THE GO-GO'S was released in the Spring of 2001. Whether or not Go-Go's last in this incarnation remains to be seen. The new recordings definitely demonstrate they've evolved as musicians. It is unfortuante that the climate of today's radio and music industries didn't give the new CD at least a fighting chance beyond the handul of stations catering to "80's Music." At the very least we can expect another reunion every five years, maybe even sooner now that ABC-TV is planning a TV movie Bio-Pic of the band!!
BEAUTY AND THE BEAT
Produced by Richard Gottehrer & Rob Freeman
Recorded and Mixed by Rob Freeman
Recorded at Pennylane Studio, NY
Assisted by John Terelle & Ted Blechta
Additional Recording at Record Plant Studio, NY
Assisted by James Ball
Additional Recording at Sound Mixers Studio, NY
Assisted by Eric Kortee & Darroll Gustamacho
Mixed at Record Plant Studio, NY
Assisted by: Gray Russell
Art Direction by Mike Doud & Ginger Canzoneri
Photography by George Du Bose
Photo Illustration by Cindy Marsh
Design by Mike Fink
Musicians:
Belinda Carlisle lead vocals
Jane Wiedlin rhythm guitar & vocals
Charlotte Caffey lead guitar, keyboards & backing vocals
Kathy Valentine bass & guitar
Gina Schock drums & percussion
Track Listing:
Review Coming Soon!
VACATION
Produced by Richard Gottehrer
Recorded & Mixed by Thom Panunzio
Recorded At Studio 55 and Sunset Sound (Hollywood) and Indigo Ranch (Malibu)
Mixed At Record Plant (NY) and Indigo Ranch (Malibu)
Assisted by James Ball, Stuart Furusho, David Leonard and Neil Pedinoff
Mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound (NY)
Art Direction by Mick Haggerty & Ginger Canzoneri
Design & Photos by Mick Haggerty
Management: Ginger Canzoneri
Special Thanks from Richard and Thom to: Richard Kaplan, Michael Hoffman and all the staff at Indigo Ranch
The Go-Go's wish to thank: Michael Boddicker (programming), David Dubow, Paul Jamison, Stan Lynch, Mike Osborne, Kent Smythe and Shelly Yakus
And Special Thanks to Cypress Gardens, Florida for co-operation on cover photography
Musicians:
Belinda Carlisle lead vocals
Jane Wiedlin rhythm guitar & back-up vocals
Charlotte Caffey lead guitar, keyboards & backing vocals
Kathy Valentine bass & back-up vocals
Gina Schock drums, percussion and back-up vocals
Additional Musicians:
Steve Berlin saxaphone on "This Old Feeling"
Track Listing:
TALK SHOW
Produced & Engineered by Martin Rushent
Recorded At Genetic Sound, England
Assistant Engineers Dave Allen, Philip Tennant and Jim Russell
Vocal Direction Nathan Lam
Art Direction by Douglas Brian Martin
Photography by Chris Craymer
Management: Front Line Management
Musicians:
Belinda Carlisle lead vocals
Jane Wiedlin rhythm guitar & back-up vocals
Charlotte Caffey lead guitar, keyboards & backing vocals
Kathy Valentine bass & back-up vocals
Gina Schock drums, percussion and back-up vocals
Track Listing:
Review coming Soon!
GO-GO'S CD3
Musicians:
Belinda Carlisle lead vocals
Jane Wiedlin rhythm guitar & vocals
Charlotte Caffey lead guitar, keyboards & backing vocals
Kathy Valentine bass & guitar
Gina Schock drums & percussion
By the late 1980's many labels were experimenting with making the music even MORE portable than the five inch Compact disc. Solution? a three inch disc! With three songs! This one featured the Go-Go's first hit, "Our Lips Are Sealed", "Speeding" (previously only available on the FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH Soundrack or as a b-side) and "Surfing & Spying" which was the B-side of their debut IRS single....
GREATEST HITS
Tracks 1, 3, 10, 11 & 13 Produced by Richard Gottehrer & Rob Freeman
Tracks 2, 5-7 Produced by Richard Gottehrer
Tracks 4, 8, 9, 12 & 14 Produced by Martin Rushent
Engineered by Various (See Original LP Credits)
Musicians:
Belinda Carlisle lead vocals
Jane Wiedlin rhythm guitar & back-up vocals
Charlotte Caffey lead guitar, keyboards & backing vocals
Kathy Valentine bass & back-up vocals
Gina Schock drums, percussion and back-up vocals
Track Listing:
Review coming Soon!
RETURN TO THE VALLEY OF THE GO-GO'S
Production Credits Coming Soon!
Musicians:
Belinda Carlisle lead vocals
Jane Wiedlin rhythm guitar & back-up vocals
Charlotte Caffey lead guitar, keyboards & backing vocals
Kathy Valentine bass & back-up vocals
Gina Schock drums, percussion and back-up vocals
Track Listing:
Review coming Soon!
THE WHOLE WORLD LOST ITS HEAD
CD Track Listing:
Review coming Soon!
GOOD GIRL
CD Track Listing:
"Our Lips Are Sealed"/"Surfing & Spying"
Produced by Richard Gottehrer & Rob Freeman
Sleeve Design by Carl Grasso
Photos by George Du Bose
IRS's first chart topping single! Initial pressing came in a sleeve printed on a buff matte-finished paper. Subsequent pressings had the usual slick 45 sleeve that singles customarily received... "Surfing & Spying" is an instrumental non-LP track (until RETURN... came along that is).
"We Got The Beat"/"Can't Stop The World"
Produced by Richard Gottehrer & Rob Freeman
Design Timothy Eames
Photos by Chris Cramer
"We Got The Beat", though it WAS the second single off their first LP, is considered "the Go-Go's anthem."
"Our Lips Are Sealed"/"We Got The Beat"Picture Disc
Produced by Richard Gottehrer & Rob Freeman
Review coming Soon!
"Vacation"/"Beatnik Beach"
Produced by Richard Gottehrer
The lead single off their second LP. Thid record also marked the launch of the cassette single, under
the name "Cassingle," an EXCLUSIVE Trademark of IRS! In fact Miles successfully sued at least one other company
for using the name "Cassingle"!!!
"Get Up And Go"/"Speeding"
Produced by Richard Gottehrer
Recorded & Mixed by Thom Panunzio
Review coming Soon!
"This Old Feeling"/"It's Everything But Partytime"
Produced by Richard Gottehrer
Recorded & Mixed by Thom Panunzio
Review coming Soon!
"Head Over Heels"/"Good For Gone"
Produced & Engineered by Martin Rushent
Design by Douglas Brian Martin
Photography by Chris Craymer
Review coming Soon!
"Turn To You"/"I'm With You"
Produced & Engineered by Martin Rushent
Review coming Soon!
"Yes Or No"/"Mercenary"
Produced & Engineered by Martin Rushent
"Yes Or No" remixed by Martin Rushent
Review coming Soon!
"Our Lips Are Sealed"/"We Got The Beat"
Produced by Richard Gottehrer & Rob Freeman
Review coming Soon!
"Vacation"/"Cool Jerk"
Produced by Richard Gottehrer
Review coming Soon!
KROQ PRESENTS THE NORMAL NOISE OF IRS (IRS #?) includes "Head Over Heals"
LIVE FOR LIFE (IRS5731) includes "We Got The Beat" (Live)
ON THE CHARTS: IRS RECORDS 1979-1994 (IRS29695) includes "Our Lips Are Sealed"
THESE PEOPLE ARE NUTS! (IRS82010) includes "We Got The Beat"
URGH! A MUSIC WAR (A&M SP 6019) includes "We Got The Beat" (Live)
There are a number of websites devoted to Go-Go's...
| (in the US of A): | Jim Ginter Beatnik Beat POBox 607215 Chicago, IL 60660-7215 | (in the U.K.): | Paul Barber Beatnik Beat POB 129 Southport Merseyside, England PR86UW | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||