“Some Dreams Come True: Bangles; 1982 -1989”
WDGY Article #14 (Dr. Rox #89-B)
By: RLSchwinden aka MrZerr0
So it’s late 1985 into early ’86 I am transitioning from selling stereos & cameras to sellingVinyl Records at RecordShop in Valley West Mall ( I was there until Spring ’91) I had not heard of the ‘Bangles’ until I went to my Manager’s Apt. she had MTV I saw the “Walk Like An Egyptian’”video … I fell in LOVE. Their album ‘Different Light’ was out at this time, so I played it at work, Fantastic. I loved the title track, “Following” & “Let It Go” I was now a fan … here we go the Bangles;
> How’s The Air Up There: 1980 -1982 <
The band started out as ‘The Bangs’ in 1980 with Susanna Lee Hoffs (17 Jan 1959:L.A.CA.) on Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar & “Vicki” Victoria Anne Theresa Peterson -Cowsill(11 Jan 1958: L.A. CA.) on Lead Guitar & Vocals with her younger sister “Debbi” Deborah Mary Peterson: (22 Aug 1961: L.A. CA.) on Drums & Vocals, the trio found each other in a ad in the local music publication, they rehearsed at Hoffs loft in CA. (Hoffs told me in 2007) The band’s 1st record was the 45 Single “Getting Out Of Hand b/w Call On Me” released in 1981on DownKiddie Records. In 1982 the band is signed to ‘Faulty Products Records’ and releases the “Self Titled EP” , the band write 4 of the 5 songs on this EP, which is later re-released 1983 on I.R.S. Records. This is the only release with the original Bassist Annette Celia Genevieve Zilinskas (6 Nov 1962: Van Nuys, CA.) who would return to the band in2018. The single for this EP was “Real World (remix)” this version was released on the 6 song CD re-release, there is also a music video for this song. The song I chose to play on my WDGY Radio show was “I’m In Line” sung by Debbi, although I also really like “Want You” from this release.
> All About You: 1984 -85 <
In the Summer of ’83, Zilinskas departs & one Michael Steele (Susan Nancy Thomas: 2 Jun 1955; Pasadena, CA) the Original Bassist with ‘The Runaways’ in 1975 with Joan Jett & Sandy West, (Steele left in ’75 before ‘The Runaways’ 1st release), takes over the Bass duties. The band’s 2nd release ’All Over The Place’ on Columbia Records is released in May 1984,the band writes 9 of the 11 songs, and releases the singles “Hero Takes A Fall b/w Where Were You When I Needed You (non-lp)” and then “Going Down To Liverpool b/w the instrumental (non-lp)”. The band does 1 song in the film “The Goonies” released in Jun 1985 with the single “I Got Nothing b/w Dave Grusin”, the band also appears in Cyndi Lauper’s video from this film as well. The song I chose for my WDGY show was “Going Down To Liverpool” sung by Debbi, I also really like “All About You” from this album.
> September Gurls: 1986 -87 <
1986 is the year of the ‘Bangles’ as they release their 3rd album ‘Different Light’ the band writes 7 of the 12 songs, and releases a whopping 4 singles starting with “Manic Monday b/w In A Different Light” (written by Prince as he was seeing Hoffs at the time) a #2 hit on the Billboard Charts in Apr 1986. The 2nd single “If She Knew What She Wants b/w Angels Don’t Fall In Love” charts at #29 in Jul 1986 and finally their signature song “Walk Like An Egyptian b/w Not Like You” their 1st #1 on the charts in Dec 1986 & then the 4th single“Walking Down Your Street b/w Let It Go” reaches #11 in Apr 1987. The song I chose for the WDGY Show was “Different Light” one of my all time favorite songs (dedicated to someone I used to know), I also really like “Let It Go”.
Sometime in 1990 a cassette is released with the demo versions of many Top 40 Hits of the day, one is “Walk Like An Egyptian” sung by Marti Jones recorded in 1984. The band performs on the TV show “Old Gray Whistle Test” on the BBC in Jul ’86. Their concert from 29 Oct 1986 in Pittsburgh, PA. @ the Syria Mosque, was broadcast on MTV’s “Sat. Nite Concert”. In May 1987 Hoffs plays “Molly Morrison” in the Film “The ALLnighter” later this same year in Nov ’87 the band supply the film “Less Than Zero” with the song & single ”Hazy Of Winter b/w Joan Jett” which rises to #2 in Feb 1988.
> Crash And Burn: 1988 – 1990 <
The band release their 4th and final album ‘Everything’ in Oct. 1988, this time co-writing the entire album, and releasing 4 singles from this LP, the 1st being “Eternal Flame b/w What I Meant To Say (non-lp)” their 2nd #1 in Apr 1989 followed by “In Your Room b/w Bell Jar” which climbs to #5 in Jan 1989 , then the 3rd single “Be With You b/w Let It Go”which charts at #30 in Jun 1989, then finally “I’ll Set You Free b/w Watching The Sky”. The song I chose for my radio show was “Be With You”, though I also really like “Some Dreams Come True”. Interesting note, former KISS Guitarist Vinnie Vincent plays on the song “Make A Play For Her Now” (he had left The Invasion, by this time) the ladies also provide astounding backing vocals on the Tom Petty song: “Waiting For Tonight” which unfortunately goes unreleased for several years. The band appears on “SNL” on 3 Dec 1988performing the standard 2 songs. While I was still living in Des Moines, IA. the band plays Ames in ’89, I didn’t get to go the show, but I do own photos from this show, here is the setlist;
11 April 1989 Tuesday in Ames, Iowa @ Hilton Coliseum
A Hazy Shade of Winter
Glitter Years
Live
Manic Monday
Crash and Burn
Complicated Girl
Creeque Alley
If She Knew What She Wants
I’ll Set You Free
Bell Jar
Make a Play for Her Now
Something to Believe In
Eternal Flame
Some Dreams Come True
Angels Don’t Fall in Love
In Your Room
Hero Takes a Fall
Watching the Sky
Walking Down Your Street
Walk Like an Egyptian
By 1990 the band had split, in part due to Columbia Records pushing Hoffs to the front of the band as the lead singer which the others were somewhat resentful of. The VHS & CD ‘Greatest Hits’ is released in May 1990 to complete their contract. Hoffs goes solo for 2 CDs & worked with Matthew Sweet for 3 CDs and some soundtracks. Vicki Peterson forms the ‘Continental Drifters’ for 4 CDs with Susan Cowsill. Debbi Peterson forms ‘Kindred Spirit’ for 2 CDs. As Hoffs & Sweet are working on the “Austin Powers” film in 1998, the band reunites for a song used in the film “Get That Girl” they embark on a reunion tour in 2000, releasing the CD ”Doll Revolution” in Sep 2003, then later releasing the CD “Glitter Years” in 2005. I saw the band live on 23 Aug 2007 1st Ave in MPLS. I met the 3 Bangles & their new Bass Player Abby Travis (10 Nov 1969 L.A. CA.). The last album the Bangles have released is “Sweetheart Of The Sun” in Sep 2011.
So there you have it fans, a brief history of the Bangles. Be sure to catch my radio show“Mr. Zero’s PsychoGello Vinyl Radio Show” on WDGY: 740am & Streaming & FM: 92.1, 103.7, 107.1, covering the Bangles on 2 Sep 2018 Sunday @ 10:30am with Guest Host Missy Marrz.
Hear me in your room …. MrZerr0
Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009
1744 Lexington Ave. N.
Roseville, MN. 55113
www.MrZeroS.Com – Podcast (for past episodes)
WDGY Article #14
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