The influence The Go-Go’s had on the 80s New Wave movement cannot be understated. Formed in Los Angeles in 1978 and coming out of the PUNK scene, the band broke through to the mainstream with their 1981 debut album, Beauty and the Beat. The album reached number one on the Billboard chart and remained there for six weeks, eventually selling 2 million copies.
Airing later this summer on Showtime (August 1, 9p.m.), The Go-Go’s documentary will shine a light on the storied history of the band’s rise, fall and eventual reunion. They were planning a summer 2020 tour before the Covid-19 pandemic brought live shows to a resounding halt.
During the band’s prime years of the early to mid 80s, they could only muster a total of three albums before breaking up in 1985. Like many bands, The Go-Go’s encountered disagreements and conflict within their ranks. Plus, drug addiction added to the discord. They later regrouped briefly in 2001 and released another album, God Bless the Go-Go’s.
In a statement, the The Go-Go’s said, “We lived it and we survived it,” “Now, looking back on our history through this film, we get to relive our journey as a band: the fun, the adventure, the highs and the lows. We hope this documentary will show the world that we were pioneers, and how our experience paved the way for many other female (and some male!) musicians.”
Band members Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Shock, Kathy Valentine and Jane Wiedlin, along with documentary director Allison Ellwood, sat down with Variety Studio in January to talk about the new documentary.
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