Regular readers know that I, a music lover who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, two of the best music decades by far, am not a fan at all of 80’s music. In my view top notch pop music died on January 1, 1980.

I understand there are exceptions to a rule. This week, we have one of those exceptions.

What could the exception be if I found the 80’s to be musically reprehensible?  (BTW, the topic of 80’s music is a friendly occasional debate I have with my somewhat younger wife).

The Go-Go’s were the first all-female band to play their own instruments, write their own songs and reach No. 1 on the album charts.

Belinda Carlisle

Jane Wiedlin

Charlotte Caffey

Gina Schock

Kathy Valentine

The Go-Go’s formed in Los Angeles. From their website:

From their halcyon days as America’s sweethearts to their current status as superstars who pioneered a genre, The Go-Go’s preside over an amazing three-decade reign as high pop priestesses. The internationally-loved pop hitmakers helped cement the foundation of the early 80’s pop-rock sound without the aid of outside composers, session players or, most importantly, creative compromise.

Their story truly is a punk version of the American Dream. They came, they saw and they conquered the charts, the airwaves and, with their kicky kitsch appeal, pop culture in general.

Sure, before the Go-Go’s debuted in May of ’78, there were other all-female bands, but to a man (ahem, or in this case, woman) there was usually a seedy, cigar-chompin’ guy lurking just behind the curtain, pulling strings, writing songs and shaping the image as his gals danced on his string. But The Go-Go’s didn’t need a doctor in their house. No Phil Spector, Kim Fowley or Sonny Bono plotted their moves. It was their baby right from the start and they nursed the bouncing infant on a diet of non-stop nocturnal nourishment in dank clubs all across the city.

Here they are in 2016 doing their biggest charting record.

A new Showtime documentary, The Go-Go’s chronicles the band’s meteoric rise to fame rooted in L.A.’s colorful early-1980s “new wave” scene. The documentary airs tomorrow, August 1.

Readers, did you enjoy that?

Hope so.

Might be awhile before the 80’s return here. 🙂