The Go-Go's

The Go-Go's
The Go-Go's at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston (2012)
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, US
Genres	Pop rock, new wave, punk rock (early)
Years active	1977–1985, 1990, 1994, 1999–2016
Labels	Beyond, IRS, A&M
Website	www.gogos.com
Past members	Belinda Carlisle Jane Wiedlin Margot Olavarria Elissa Bello Charlotte Caffey Gina Schock Kathy Valentine Paula Jean Brown Abby Travis

The Go-Go's were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1978. They made history as the first and only all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts.

The Go-Go's rose to fame during the early 1980s. Their 1981 debut album, Beauty and the Beat, is considered one of the "cornerstone albums of (US) new wave" (AllMusic), breaking barriers and paving the way for a host of other new American acts. When the album was released, it steadily climbed the Billboard 200 chart, ultimately reaching No. 1, where it remained for six consecutive weeks. The album sold in excess of 3 million copies and reached triple platinum status, making it one of the most successful debut albums ever. The Go-Go's have sold more than 7 million albums.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1978, the Go-Go's initially consisted of Belinda Carlisle (vocals), Jane Wiedlin (guitar, vocals), Margot Olavarria (bass) and Elissa Bello (drums).

They were formed as a punk band and had roots in the L.A. punk community; they shared a rehearsal space with the Motels, and Carlisle (under the name "Dottie Danger") had briefly been a member of punk rock band the Germs. Due to a bout of mononucleosis, she left the Germs before playing a gig.

The band started out playing gigs at seminal punk venues such as The Masque and the Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles and the Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco alongside bands such as Fear, the Plugz and the Controllers. Charlotte Caffey (lead guitar, keyboards) was added later in 1978, and in the summer of 1979, Gina Schock replaced Bello on drums. With these lineup changes, the group began moving towards their more-familiar power pop sound.