For an earlier group, guitarist Vicki Peterson bought a drum set for her sister Debbi. They were joined by singer/guitarist Susanna Hoffs. Annette Zilinskas handled bass.
First as the Supersonic Bangs, then the Bangs, the future Bangles began their recording career with an indie label. Nothing happened. On top of that, they had to change their name because there was already a group recording as the Bangs.
Contributing to a Rock radio station compilation album brought them to the attention of Miles Copeland head of I.R.S. Records. Another mini-project resulted. After that they landed with Columbia Records.
Figuring there was a better opportunity with the band Blood On The Saddle or perhaps artistic differences, who knows, Zilinskas soon left and was replaced by Michael Steele.
“All Over The Place,” The Bangles first full album, never did that well but all the key elements were in place. Namely, clean, tight rhythms, jangling guitars and Hoff’s expressive voice.
Different Light
Sophomore set, “Different Light” was practically a “best of” album. “Manic Monday” was written for The Bangles by Prince. But it was kept out of the #1 pop spot by Prince’s “Kiss.”
Songwriter Jules Shear contributed “If She Knew What She Wants.” Overall, it was the best song and performance.
Then there was “Walk Like An Egyptian.” Believe it or not, one hit wonder Toni Basil (“Mickey”) rejected the song.
Beware of novelty songs. It may be fun to do one. But bands rarely think it could be what they are remembered for. Despite other great performances, the Bangles and “Walk Like An Egyptian” are eternally linked.
The fourth single was the loping good-time Rocker “Walking Down Your Street.”
“Hazy Shade Of Winter” was probably the toughest song Simon and Garfunkel recorded in their ’60s Folk-Pop heyday.
For the “Less Than Zero” soundtrack, The Bangles blasted it. The guitar riff got Peterson’s full-on electric treatment.
“That was a tough one because the original was performed on a 12-string acoustic,” Peterson recalled. “That was a struggle to figure out how to play it so it sounds as cool but different. The answer was to Rock it up, but it wasn’t easy.”
The cover outperformed the original on the Billboard pop chart.
Hazy Shade Of Winter
Everything
The “Everything” album appeared next and had “In Your Room” and “Be With You.” Both were hard charging Rock ‘n’ Roll songs. The album also contained “Eternal Flame,” the band’s second #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (“Walk Like An Egyptian“ was the first).
The Bangles parted company shortly thereafter. Hoffs pursued a modest solo career.
But like numerous groups, The Bangles returned with “Doll Revolution” in ’03.
Various family commitments for her bandmates meant that the band could not tour and support the album as much as Steele wished as contributing to Steele’s leaving the band in the middle of an ’04 tour, Although her final concert was in early -04, her departure was not officially acknowledged until May 2005.
Eight years passed before “Sweetheart Of The Sun” arrived.
Zilinskas joined the band for selected live shows in ’14 and rejoined the band in ’18. This was the first time the original founding four members of The Bangles had played together since ’83.
The Bangles: Select Tracks
Hazy Shade Of Winter
Walk Like An Egyptian
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