The Go-Go's

The Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts. The Go-Go's have sold more than seven million albums.

The Go-Go's rose to fame during the early 1980s. Their debut album, Beauty and the Beat, is considered one of the influential albums of new wave, 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 number one, where it remained for six consecutive weeks. The LP sold in excess of three million copies and reached triple platinum status, making it one of the most successful debut albums ever.

"Our Lips Are Sealed" and "We Got the Beat" were extremely popular singles in North America in early 1982. In this period the Go-Go's became America's sweethearts and started building a fan base. In 1982, the group was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

The follow-up album Vacation received mixed reviews and sold far less than Beauty and the Beat. However, the album was certified Gold in the U.S. and spawned another top 10 US hit with the title track. Other singles released from the album were "Get Up and Go" and "He's So Strange", neither of which made it into the Top 40. In 1983, Vacation was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Packaging.

In 1984, the group returned with the album Talk Show with the album tracks "Head over Heels" and "Turn to You" which were both Top 40 hits in the US. The album sold far less than the previous two, not reaching the top 10 and not receiving any certification. Personality conflicts and creative differences within the group were also taking a toll, as were drug addiction problems for some band members. Carlisle and Caffey would soon realize their hearts were no longer in the group and decided to disband the Go-Go's in May 1985.

In 1990, the Go-Go's classic line-up (Caffey, Carlisle, Schock, Valentine and Wiedlin) reunited to play a benefit concert for the California Environmental Protection Act, a 1990 ballot initiative. This led to more show dates later that year. The band also entered the studio re-record a cover of "Cool Jerk" for a greatest hits compilation.

In 1994, the same line-up got together again to release the 2-disc retrospective Return to the Valley of The Go-Go's, which featured three new recordings. The single "The Whole World Lost Its Head" peaked at #21 on the Billboard Modern Rock charts and became the band's first and only Top 40 hit in the UK, peaking at #29.

In 2001, the band released an album of new material, God Bless The Go-Go's. Green Day's lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong co-wrote the only released single "Unforgiven" which peaked at #22 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart. The album was well-received and peaked at number #57 in the Billboard 200 chart. Also in 2001, the Go-Go's, along with artists Elton John, Billy Joel, David Crosby, and Paul Simon, performed at the concert "An All-Star Tribute to Brian Wilson" at Radio City Music Hall.

The Go-Go's have toured regularly since 1999 and, in 2011, the Go-Go's announced the Ladies Gone Wild tour to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of Beauty and the Beat.