The beat goes on for the Go-Go's

God bless the Go-Go's (from left): Gina Schock, Jane Wiedlin, Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine. [Publicity photo]

It has been more than 25 years since their all-female California power-pop sound first buzzed through the charts, but the Go-Go's are still proving that beauty and the beat can be eternal.

Jane Wiedlin, who co-founded the band with singer Belinda Carlisle in the late '70s,  says that these days, tours are less rowdy, but the "girls" -- her word -- still wanna have fun. (The Go-Go's play St. Petersburg's Jannus Landing on Thursday, Feb. 7.)

"In the early '80s we once toured for nearly two years straight, and now we never do more than about two weeks," Wiedlin said in a recent interview with Stuck in the 80s. "And since most of the girls have put their partying days behind them, it's a lot more sedate in the dressing room. We still manage to have a good time though!"

Between 1981 and 1984, the Go-Go's were one the hottest bands on radio and MTV, with hits like "Our Lips Are Sealed," "We Got The Beat" and "Vacation" winning over legions of fans.

But Wiedlin left the band in '84 for solo career in music and acting (she was "Joan of Arc" in 1989's "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure."), and the band dissolved in '85. But 15 years later, the girls were together again and hit the recording studio in 2001, producing the disc "God Bless the Go-Go's."

In our e-mail conversation, Wiedlin revisited the band's history, her foray into acting and the future of the "girls."

Back in the early 80s, did you have a problem with male groupies? What do your fans look like today?

"To be honest, we didn't get a lot of groupies in the old days, and we certainly don't get a lot of groupies these days!"

"We get a real kick when our longtime fans bring their kids to our concerts. I think Radio Disney plays us a lot, so there is a whole new generation of music lovers that are discovering our music. It's nice to show young girls that chicks can rock! And PLAY INSTRUMENTS!"

You co-wrote "Our Lips Are Sealed" with Terry Hall -- a great tune where we get to hear you softly sing "Hush my darling..." during that one memorable verse. What can you tell me about the creation of that song?

"In 1980, the Specials (Terry's band before Fun Boy Three) came to see us play in Hollywood and invited us to tour with them in England, where I embarked upon a short but dramatic romance with Terry. Later he sent me some lyrics inspired by our relationship, and 'Our Lips Are Sealed' came out of that. So many people have done versions of that song. Of course I am very proud and pleased to have written it. All of our hits are a blast to play live because the crowd always goes crazy for them!"

You were the first Go-Go to leave the band for a solo career. Any regrets?

"It was fun but scary to make music without the band. In retrospect, I'm not so thrilled with a lot of what I did, but I was on my own for the first time and it was a big change for me. I don't have many regrets.  Certainly I love my life where it is right now, and so i don't think I'd change the past, because it might affect the present."

I didn't realize until recently that you had a bit role in "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" and played "Joan of Arc" in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure." How did those roles come about?

"I decided to pursue acting when I went solo and my new manager helped me procure an agent and a few parts. It turned out to be much harder than it looks, and as much as I enjoyed those experiences (being a Trekhead, I was THRILLED to meet Leonard Nimoy!), I don't think I'm very good at it."

" 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure' becoming a hit was a HUGE surprise for me, and -- I think -- for everyone that worked on it.  It just seemed like this small silly movie, and in fact sat on a shelf for several years before being released."

What's next for the Go-Go's and for you?

"We have no set plans at the moment, and every year it seems to get a little more complicated trying to get together to do stuff. We are now living in FIVE different places, which makes it a real challenge to get together. Still, we love to make music, so anything could happen."

-- The Go-Go's, 8 p.m., Jannus Landing, Thursday (Feb. 7), show starts at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets: $27.50 in advance; $31 day of show.

Comments

[Marissa]

Jane Wiedlin did a cover version of "Our Lips are Sealed" with The Specials. It's divine! If you can find it, I highly recommend it.
I got to see The Go-Gos back in '83 (I think) for free at The Taste of Chicago. It was truly a highlight of that summer post graduation.
I'd get a real kick out of seeing them now.

[Marissa]

So, I had a few minutes before hopping in the shower. A link for a listen to "Our Lips are Sealed"
http://www.amazon.com/Lips-Sealed-Feat-Jane-Wiedlin/dp/B000QOPA46/ref=sr_f2_3?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1202223283&sr=102-3

[jane]

Great interview -- even though it was via e-mail, I can kinda hear Jane's distinctive voice in her comments. I love the fact that she refers to the girls as, well, girls. Seems so appropriate. Their songs really were a huge part of the soundtrack of my college years.

My Five Fave Go-Go's songs (not that anyone asked, but I'm sharing anyway):

5. "Skidmarks on My Heart" --
Skidmarks on my heart
You've got me in fifth
You're burning rubber like my love
I'm driving in risk

4. "Cool Jerk" -- yeah, I know it's a cover. But I still dig it.

3. "Our Lips Are Sealed"

2. "We Got the Beat" -- I wrote a sorority rush skit using this song, so I have a special fondness for it and often find myself singing the words to the skit when it comes on the radio. Totally embarrassing.

1. "Head Over Heels" -- I play a mean air keyboard whenever I hear this one. Even when driving.

[Spears]

"Our Lips Are Sealed" is easily my favorite.

[Al]

As long as it's not the Hilary Duff version of "Our Lips Are Sealed"......

[Jeff in Cuba]

'Riss,

I know Terry recorded "Our Lips Our Sealed" with Fun Boy Three, his post-Specials band, with Jane singing backing vocals, but that's the first I've heard of the Specials version.

I've been known to play the Go-Go's version and FBT's version back to back on the air, and most people prefer the female option. I'm not so sure. They are both so different that I don't see why they need to be mutually exclusive. I especially like the ranking at the end of the TFB effort.

Here's the real heartbreaker. What version of "Lips" is on my 10-year-old daughter's mp3 player?

Hillary and Haylie Duff.

Sigh.

[Bassnote]

I'm with Jane, 'Head Over Heels' is my favorite. Another favorite of mine is 'Can't Stop The World'. My kids love the song 'Vacation'. Every time we have a vacation planned, my youngest walks around the house for the week prior singing that song at the top of her lungs.

[Jeff in Cuba]

I've got a soft spot for "Turn To You", but whenever I play it I know I'm going to hear about it when I get home.

Not really my wife's favorite.

[Spears]

Didn't Carnival Cruise Lines steal (ie pay up the nose for) "Vacation" for their commercials?

[jane]

Fave songs that feature Go-Go's singing with other bands:

"Cool Places" -- Jane Wiedlin & Sparks
"Blue Period" -- Smithereens (feat. Belinda Carlisle)

And I had no idea the Sisters Duff had recorded a remake of "Our Lips are Sealed." I think I might have been happier not knowing, actually.

[Hamptune]

Yo Steve, what part/scene did she play in Star Trek IV? Star Trek fan and I am racking my brain right now...

[Bassnote]

The Go-Go's first three albums are all under $7.00 on i Tunes.

[Jeff in Cuba]

I gave Belinda a little on-air grief for her French language album last year. France-bashing always plays pretty well to a military audience.

However, the French Foreign Legion evacuated my brother out of war-torn Chad this weekend, so I guess I better lay off the jokes.

[malibu]

Jane W. also had a bit part in the movie "Clue" as the singing telegram girl that gets shot at the front door.
Love those GoGo's! They're also playing at the Mardi Gras at Universal Studios in Orlando.

[Clark]

Wow, if you hadn't captioned that photo I'd have never guessed that was Belinda Carlisle.

[VineyardWoman]

The Go-Gos was my very first concert experience (A Flock of Seagulls opened), so it will always hold a special place in my heart. Memories of dancing around with my friends to their music always makes me smile. Was anyone else a member of their fan club?

Fave Go-Go's tunes:
We Got the Beat
Vacation
Head Over Heels
Cool Jerk (I agree with Jane - good cover!)

[specialk]

I LOVE the Go Gos! My daughter has both versions of Our Lips Our Sealed on her iPod... thanx to me the mom! She likes them both but hey she's only 12!
I Love Vacation, it's a staple at the end of the school year along with Alice Cooper's School's Out.
Jane was hilarious in Bill and Ted! I'll have to find out where she was in Star Trek, missed that I think.

[Bassnote]

I just got a myspace bulletin from the Go-Go's saying that Jane had to leave the rest of the tour for family reasons.

[Bassnote]

Here is the announcement:

The Go-Go's are sad to announce that beloved guitarist Jane Wiedlin
has unexpectedly had to leave the tour
to be with her family and at her mother's side as she succumbs to
the final stages of a terminal illness.
After prolonged discussions, the band, Jane included, have decided
it is best to continue on with our contracted scheduled
appearances. Of course Jane is irreplaceable, but
Austin guitarist Eve Monsees has taken on the challenge of learning
our entire set in order to fill in the
rhythm guitar duties. We are grateful to Eve for helping us out,
and hope our fans will give her a big welcome. Our sympathies
and condolences go out to Jane and her family during this difficult
time.

[Frank Rizzo]

27.50 are you kidding?

[George R]

One of the best concerts I ever went to was the GoGos at the Bayfront back in the early 80s. I lost my date during the concert - I was right at the stage, and really didn't notice she wasn't with me.
I told this story to my wife an she suprised me with tickets - the concert is on my birthday. I promise not to lose her!

[Dominic]

I just got home from the show...it was great, but I did miss Jane (my favorite go-go)