The Go-Go's

Forming in 1978, Belinda Carlisle (vocals), Jane Wiedlin (guitar, vocals), Charlotte Caffey (lead guitar, keyboards), Elissa Bello (drums),and Margot Olaverra (bass), were the original five members of the band. The first line-up change occurred in 1979 when Gina Schock replaced Bello on drums.

The band's big break occurred in 1979 when they rented a studio and recorded five songs as a demo. Based on this effort, their manager, Ginger Canzoneri, got them booked on a UK tour as an opening act for the band Madness.

While touring the U.K. and the U.S. with Madness in 1979 and 1980, The Go-Go's were able to release a single of "We Got The Beat" on the British recording label Stiff Records. The release and tour earned them a decent fanbase in the United Kingdom.

Bassist Margot Olaverra left the band near the end of 1980, and was replaced by Kathy Valentine. Valentine was a guitarist at the time, but quickly learned the bass for her new bandmates. Shortly after signing with I.R.S. Records in early 1981, the band released their first album. Beauty and the Beat would go on to become a big hit for the band, staying at number one for six weeks and selling over two million copies. The singles "Our Lips Are Sealed" hit number 20 and "We Got the Beat" spent three weeks at number two.

The Go-Go's second album, 1982's Vacation, (right) was also a hit for the band, peaking at number eight on the U. S. charts. The single, "Vacation", also peaked at number eight. In 1984, the Go-Go's returned with their next album, Talk Show. While it had two Top 40 hits -- the number 11 "Head Over Heels" and number 32 "Turn to You" -- it failed to go gold. After Jane Wiedlin left the band in late 1984, the end of the line for The Go-Go's was near. The band did replace Wiedlin with Paula Jean Brown, but by mid-1985 the girls had broken up and The Go-Go's officially disbanded.

The Go-Go's would release three mostly greatest hit and compilation albums between 1990 and 2000, rejoining and playing together in support of these releases. In 2001, the band released an album of new material, God Bless the Go-Go's (right). The album peaked at number 57 on the U. S. Billboard charts.

Today, The Go-Go's still get together for an occasional tour date, and although their glory days are well behind them, this more mature version of The Go-Go's can still make one fondly remember the music of the 1980s.