36 - Kathy Valentine - The Go-Go's & more (Los Angeles)

Kathy Valentine joins us to talk about her career, her new book, her time with The Go-Go's, her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & more. It takes anything from 5 to 40 hours to prepare each episode of Music Maps - if you’d like to make a contribution to help us cover the costs & time of producing these episodes for you, you can do so at this link: ko-fi.com/musicmapsIt is hugely important for us to get positive reviews & star ratings - if you have enjoyed Music Maps & can spare the time to do either we would hugely appreciate it. Kathy Valentine grew up in Austin, Texas but also spent time in London as a teenager via family connections. On one such visit she saw Suzi Quattro on Top of the Pops & decided to form a punk band back in Austin. Kathy's first band The Violators also featured Carla Olsen (who later collaborated with Gene Clark, Bob Dylan, Mick Taylor, Percy Sledge, Ry Cooder & more) & in August 1980 they drove to LA in pursuit of their dream. Once in LA they become The Textones & release two singles, one of which is an unreleased Tom Petty track. A chance meeting at the end of 1980 leads to Kathy leaving the band to join The Go-Go's with Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey & Gina Schock. Her first gig was on New Years Eve of 1980 at the Whiskey a Go Go. The band sign with IRS in April of 1981 & fly to New York the next day to begin work on what becomes the Beauty & The Beat album with producer Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, Dr. Feelgood, Richard Hell). 'Our Lips Are Sealed' becomes the first single co-written by Specials frontman Terry Hall. The track breaks through despite resistance from radio & within the industry. The Go-Go's open for the Rolling Stones & The Police in the coming months as well as an appearance on Saturday Night Live alongside Eddie Murphy. The album reaches number 1 & becomes one of the most successful debut albums of all time & is still the only album to reach top top spot entirely written & performed by an all female band. Second album Vacation follows in 1982 with a title track written by Kathy & leads to an appearance on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The band are playing larger venues including a date with David Bowie on the Serious Moonlight Tour. The final Go-Go's album Talk Show is made in England with producer Martin Rushent & founder member Jane Wiedlin leaves the band not long after the supporting tour. The Go-Go's were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 & the band will be playing in 2025 including the Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, California. You can see our upcoming live events here: https://rocknrollbookclub.co.uk/live/Instagram: @rocknrollbookclube17X: @simonmusicmapsFacebook: E17rockbookclubHosted by Mark Hart & Simon CardwellWritten & Produced by Simon CardwellEdited by Andy Maxwell  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.