The Bangles--The #74 Female Artist of the Rock Era

This group formed in Los Angeles in 1980 when Susanna Hoffs and sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson got together.  Originally, they were known as the Colours, then the Supersonic Bangs, then the Bangs.  They were a big part of the Los Angeles scene.  In 1981, the trio recorded "Getting Out Of Hand", which they released on their own record label.  Patrick Hirtz came on board to manage the group in 1982, which at this time included Hoffs (vocals and guitar), Vicki on guitar and vocals, Debbi on vocals and drums and Annette Zilinskas on bass and vocals.

The group released an EP and single "The Real World" on Faulty Products Records, changing their name to the Bangles just prior to that release.  However, the label folded, and I.R.S. picked up distribution.  Following the release, Michael Steele, former member of the Runaways, replaced Zilinskas.

The Bangles released their debut album on Columbia in 1984, All Over the Place, which received strong reviews and was a solid album.  Two singles were released that got nowhere, "Hero Takes A Fall" and the Beatle-esque "Going Down To Liverpool".

On the strength of the latter, the group found themselves opening for Cyndi Lauper.  The group got a huge break when Prince became aware of them.  He gave them the song "Manic Monday", which was the lead single from the Bangles' second album Different Light.  It gave them a #2 breakout smash in the United States, the U.K. and Germany.  

Different Light put them on the map, and wound up as one of The Top 100 Albums of the Rock Era*.  The follow-up, "If She Knew What She Wants", was highly underrated at #29.

But the group's next release put them firmly in the spotlight.  It went to #1 for four weeks, had an amazing video and hilarious dance, and became one of The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era*.

On the heels of that all-time smash, the group then released "Walking Down Your Street", which came ever so close to the Top 10 at #11.

Four hits from an album is an awesome accomplishment, but what made the album one of the all-time best was the overall strength of the LP--we'll feature just a few of the other "prime cuts".  This is "Following":

Another outstanding song on the album is "In A Different Light.

There are many other quality non-hits on the album, which sold over three million copies in the United States alone, just one of which is "Not Like You".

A remake of Simon & Garfunkel's "A Hazy Shade Of Winter" was included on the Soundtrack to 'Less Than Zero', and the single gave the Bangles another #2.

The album Everything was another multi-platinum smash and included the #5 "In Your Room".

When the group visited Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, the "Eternal Flame" in memoriam to Presley was out and its clear-plastic enclosure was flooded.  When the members asked what was in the box, they were told, "That's the eternal flame".  When returning, the group co-wrote the song with Billy Steinberg.  It gave them another #1. 

After the album was released, working relationships within the group had broken down, and the group split.  Vicki Peterson went on to tour as a member of the Go-Go's.  Hoffs released two solo efforts before the group reunited in 2000.  Shortly afterwards, the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.  

The Bangles released the album Doll Revolution in 2003.  They made several public appearances in the years to come and toured the U.S., Germany, England and the Netherlands in 2008.  The group released the album Sweetheart of the Sun in 2011 and toured in support of it.  

The Bangles had eight U.S. hits with five of those going Top 5 and two #1's, and sold over five million albums in the United States alone.  They are the top self-contained (i.e. group that wrote and performed their own songs) female group of all-time.