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

August 05, 2020

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

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

External Links

The Go-Go's - documentary on Showtime

The Go-Go's - official band website

Gallery

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The Go-Go's press images from Showtime — A flyer for the Go-Go's' gig at the Rusty Nail, Sunderland, Mass., on Aug 19, 1981. Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin.
Courtesy of SHOWTIME

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The Go-Go's performing in 1981 — The Go-Go's (L-R): Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock (drums), Belinda Carlisle, Kathy Valentine (bass, behind Belinda Carlisle's head), Jane Wiedlin. 1981.
Cassy Cohen/Courtesy of SHOWTIME