Pat Benatar vs. the Go-Go's

Interview With Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's
By Teresa Ortega

The punk scene in Los Angeles famously gave birth to a number of bands that would help shape the sound of the '80s. One of those groups was the all-female band called the Go-Go's, which grabbed hold of the punk DIY ethic and didn't let go until their first album, Beauty and the Beat, reached the top of the charts.

The Go-Go's disbanded in 1985, but they reunited several times during the 1990s and released a new album in 2001. They have been touring somewhat regularly in the last couple of years and will make their Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week debut next month. Girl Bar Dinah Shore co-producers Sandy Sachs and Dr. Robin Gans predict that "this year's Girl Bar Dinah Shore Week is going to be simply amazing," and note that Go-Go's lead singer Belinda Carlisle will also be performing solo on April 4.

I recently talked with Jane Wiedlin, the Go-Go's rhythm guitarist and songwriter, about the band's long relationship with the lesbian community, bisexuality and why she loves corsets.

AfterEllen.com: I was a fan of the Go-Go's many, many years ago, before you guys were even signed. I once got kicked out of the Starwood club in Los Angeles for climbing onstage and swiping the rag Belinda used to wipe off her sweat during the concert.
Jane Wiedlin: Wow. Oh my God, that show's historical.

AE: And early on, I recall that Phranc, the lesbian folksinger, wrote a song about liking Charlotte, the band's lead guitarist. So when did the Go-Go's became aware of having lesbian followers or fans?
JW: I think we always knew from the beginning. Our manager was lesbian, and our road crew was lesbian. Well, no — actually not all of them. One thing that was so great about the punk scene was that it was very inclusive, very welcoming, to any kind of person, but especially misfits. I think being a misfit was part of the personality profile that made a person attracted to punk.