The Beatles, Paul Simon, Bonnie Raitt, The Cowsills, The Dream Syndicate, The Alley Cats, The Mamas and the Papas, The Byrds, Gram Parsons, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, The Hollies, Dusty Springfield, Karen Carpenter, The Rolling Stones, The Byrds, XTC, David Bowie, Annie Lennox, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Velvet Underground, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin...
THE STORY OFTHE BANGLES begins on December 9, 1980.
Reeling from the assassination of John Lennon, guitarist Susanna Hoffs answered a band-member-seeking ad in The Recycler, a sort of low-tech, Los Angeles version of Craig’s List. Although her roommate had placed the ad, guitarist Vicki Peterson was the one who picked up the phone, beginning a 90-minute conversation and a lifetime musical alliance with Susanna. By the time Vicki, her drummer sister Debbi Peterson, and Susanna had rocked the first song in Susanna’s garage, a band was born. Voices blending, guitars jangling, the girls found their signature sound – 60's inspired rock dusted with heavenly harmonies.
Bassist Annette Zilinskas soon joined the group, and they began to play gigs in LA clubs-- appearing first as The Colours (British spelling) and then The Bangs. Along with other musically like-minded bands including The Dream Syndicate, The Salvation Army, Rain Parade, and The Long Ryders, The Bangs shared the spotlight of a 60’s rock revival, which came to be known as "the Paisley Underground."
The Bangs released the self-produced single "Getting Out Of Hand," garnering radio airplay thanks to LA’s infamous DJ and musical guru, Rodney Bingenheimer. Then, in 1982, at a sweaty punk rock club, the Bangles were approached by IRS Records president -–and Police manager-- Miles Copeland. He offered to manage the group and get them into the studio to record their first EP. This move brought the girls some unwanted attention from a New Jersey group also called The Bangs, forcing a name change to the now-famous "Bangles”--just days before the EP’s release. The girls hit the road, opening for British ska/punk band The English Beat. During the tour the Bangles’ record label, Faulty Products, lived up to its name and folded. Columbia Records soon came calling; with veteran LA musician (and former Runaways lead singer) Michael Steele replacing the departed Zilinskas on bass - the lineup that would catapult the Bangles to the top of the charts was complete.
In 1984, the Bangles released their first full-length album, All Over The Place. The singles "Hero Takes A Fall" and "Going Down To Liverpool," got extensive airplay on college radio, and opening for Cyndi Lauper's '84 tour exposed the Bangles to an ever-widening audience.
Released in 1985, Different Light featured "Manic Monday" (written by Prince under the pseudonym “Christopher”), "If She Knew What She Wants," and the hit dance track "Walk Like An Egyptian"- rocketing the band into “overnight” superstardom. "WLAE" charted at Billboard's 1 for four weeks in a row - a feat no other all-female band had ever achieved. A smash national tour, and awards including Single of The Year, Best MTV Video Performance, and a BMA helped solidify the band's status.
In 1987, the Bangles recorded and co-produced a hard rocking cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade Of Winter" for the Less Than Zero film soundtrack. "HSOW" rocketed to 2 on the charts, and that summer found the band at the peak of its popularity, back on the road for a 'Bitchen Summer' tour.
In early 1988, the Bangles released Everything, which produced two more chart hits: the rocking "In Your Room," and the ballad "Eternal Flame," which went to Billboard's 1, becoming the fifth largest- selling single for 1989.
Despite (or perhaps because of) their successes, the band was exhausted, tensions were high, and in 1989 they decided to take an extended hiatus - canceling the rest of their world tour.
In 1990, the Sony-released Greatest Hits broke sales records in Britain, charting in the UK Top 10 for an incredible 97 weeks, and peaking as the 4 album in the country.
Most of the band members stayed in touch throughout the decade, but serious talk about reforming the Bangles didn't begin until the late 90's, when Susanna began making periodic phone calls to her former bandmates. An opportunity presented itself when Susanna’s husband, director Jay Roach, needed a new song for his film, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
In 1999, Vicki, Susanna, Michael, and Debbi headed back into the studio, to record their original song "Get The Girl" for the Austin Powers soundtrack. After appearing onstage together at a Hollywood Bowl gala, the Bangles formally announced their re-formation in 2000. A popular VH1 Behind The Music special that year, and a guest performance on The Gilmore Girls in 2001 brought them additional exposure and support. In July 2003, the Bangles proudly released the power-pop driven Doll Revolution, their first studio album in over a decade.
A fan and critical favorite, Doll Revolution went to 23 on Billboard's Top 100 Independent Albums for 2003, with the single “Something That You Said” going Top 40 in the UK and enjoying extensive airplay throughout Europe.
In 2005, longtime bassist Michael Steele elected to retire from the band, but the Bangles continue to tour and perform internationally. In 2007 they released a brand new concert DVD Return To Bangleonia, and plans for another studio album are underway.
GET INFO, JOIN THE FAN CLUB, BUY MERCH, WIN FREE SWAG AND GENERALLY BANGLE YOUR TUSH OFF AT WWW.THEBANGLES.COM
Stopped by to give you a Friday "HI" and to borrow a song! *Eternal Flame* is perhaps the one of the prettyest songs ever performed or written! Since 1986 I Love the Bangles! Have A Fabulous Day! Love and Hugs! ~Bill~
THANKS for the friendship! Friends from an old friend since 1985! WELCOME to my space! I saw you at Fairmont State College! THANKS for the performance! Have A Beautiful Day! Love and Luck! ~Bill~
Awesome, thanks for the add girls. Proud to have you among my friends list. So great to see you gals still rockin it out after all this time. Your music will always live on and yes I joined your fan club, thanks for the invite. :)
Hey, The NAMM Show was AMAZING! Did the artist endorsement thing at the Minarik booth this year (cameras, cameras, cameras). Had fun hangin' with Dave N., too. Hope to see you around next year!!!
Hi and thanks for the add! I hope you have a good time and funny days, too. Because your music even makes me feeling better on bad and strange days. ;))
You were magnificent last night at The Wellmont! I loved hearing "The Magic Bus" slipped into "Walk Like An Egyptian". Thanks for a great night, and PLEASE come back to New Jersey soon!
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