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–present
Labels	Beyond, IRS, A&M
Website	www.gogos.com
Members	Belinda Carlisle Jane Wiedlin Charlotte Caffey Gina Schock
Past members	Margot Olavarria Elissa Bello Kathy Valentine Paula Jean Brown

The Go-Go's are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1978. The Go-Go's rose to fame during the early 1980s as an all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments, rising to the top of the Billboard album charts.

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 2 million copies and reached double platinum status, making it one of the most successful debut albums of all time. The Go-Go's have sold more than 7 million albums.

The Go-Go's broke up in 1985, but reconvened several times through the 1990s and beyond, recording new material and touring. Though their 2016 performances were billed as a farewell tour, the band remains active on a sporadic ad hoc basis, most recently appearing as guests on a March 2017 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

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 X, 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.