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Listen to Looch

Listen to Looch: the new documentary about the Go-Go's rocks

The Go-Go's backstage at The Rolling Stones gig in Rockford, Illinois, on October 1, 1981 (L-R): Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin, Gina Schock, Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle.
The Go-Go's backstage at The Rolling Stones gig in Rockford, Illinois, on October 1, 1981 (L-R): Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin, Gina Schock, Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle.Paul Natkin

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by Mary Lucia

August 05, 2020

The highly anticipated new Go-Go's documentary just aired on Showtime. And it's really good, because the band was so good. Their songs were amazing, and they were revolutionary. No question.

There just weren't women coming out of that Los Angeles punk scene that were then going, "Well, I want to be huge. We're going to form an all-female band and write kickass songs." But they did it. And their first record — if you think about how unheard of that is — their first record, Beauty and the Beat, went to No. 1. For a debut record? Crazy!

Now what surprised me as not being surprising were the problems they encountered. They were exactly what any band would have: drugs, ego, songwriting royalties, bad management, kicking band members out. It's really not unique to them as women. But what they did, as strong individual musicians and voices, is so important. And it's just great to go back and to hear those songs as well.

The Go-Go's documentary, directed by Alison Ellwood, is airing now on Showtime.

Official Trailer

The Go-Go's - documentary on Showtime

The Go-Go's - official band website

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