Kathy Valentine: The Go-Go’s Say Goodbye

Since the early ‘80s, The Go-Go’s have been a force to be reckoned with. The first all-female band to have a number one album (1982’s Beauty and the Beat) got together in Los Angeles in 1978. The line up of Belinda Carlisle on vocals, Charlotte Caffey on keyboards, Jane Wiedlin on guitar, Kathy Valentine on bass and Gina Schock on drums made history when four of their catchy pop songs charted on Billboard’s Top 40. Internal friction split the Go-Go’s up in 1984 but the band re-formed in 1990. Sadly, July marks the Farewell Tour for this iconic group who, after 30 years, have decided to hang up their mic stands and call it a day.

The Go-Go’s were a massive inspiration to me. The image of and camaraderie between five women who wrote and played their own music was a powerful elixir. I was so intent on following in their footsteps, I joined an all-female band and learned to play bass. And wouldn’t you know, the first two songs I ever learned were “We’ve Got the Beat” and “Our Lips are Sealed.” Those songs may sound simple enough but let me tell you —Kathy Valentine writes deceptively intricate bass lines!

Kathy Valentine - photo by Arnold Neimanis.

Now, with the legendary Go-Go’s going, going and nearly gone, I talked with Kathy about the grand finale — which winds up in her home town of Austin, Texas — as well as the other cool stuff she’s got going on. She’s a mom to a rockin’ young daughter. She’s in another all-female band, The BlueBonnets and she recently produced an album for Adrian and the Sickness .  Kathy is also writing a 140 character at a time memoir on Twitter that you can follow at @kvmemoir! Since she was 16, Kathy has taken music very seriously. Bet you didn’t know that before the Go-Go’s, she played in Girlschool! Kathy was gracious enough to shed some light on the upcoming Farewell Tour and what her life will be like after the Go-Go’s.

CD: How did the band decide it was time to quit?

KV:  Belinda had enough with this chapter of her life. She is into a lot of new things and she now lives in France, India and Morocco, with different aspects of her life centered in each place. Even the limited work we do as a band has become somewhat of a chore for her, not a joy, and she wants to retire. The Go-Go’s wouldn’t really be the Go-Go’s without her, so this phase is over.

CD: Which Go-Go are you closest to?

KV:  Probably Charlotte. We each have over two decades of sobriety and we speak the same language. I’m close with Belinda, but she is very busy and very far away. I care deeply for Jane and Gina, but we mainly get together when the Go-Go’s are doing something. I’ll have to visit San Francisco now to see them!

CD: What has it been like to be working with these people at this time in everyone’s lives?

KV:  We’ve all grown up into fully realized, whole people, women who have accomplished their dreams and yet continue to search for new challenges and creative expressions.

CD: What are Go-Go’s audiences like now?

KV:  A wide spectrum. Our gay audience is strong and loyal, and we have a lot of new, young fans that didn’t see us or weren’t born when we were at our commercial peak.

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

CD: The Go-Go’s are playing a Lilith Fair date (San Diego, July 7th.) before the Farewell Tour begins. How did that Lilith Fair gig come about?

KV:  Lilith was out at the same time we had a window to do some final shows so it seemed like a no-brainer. I like having the chance to see some of the artists that will be playing with us who I might not normally see.

CD: You have a lot of irons in the fire besides the Go-Go’s. Can you tell me a bit about those projects?

KV:  My main musical focus is producing, with an emphasis on mentoring and helping young women make their music. I produced Adrian and the Sickness, and the BlueBonnets, a band I’m in. Our CD comes out in June. I did a solo record [Light Years] in 2005 and am very slowly recording material for another. After the Go-Go’s tour I’ll be looking for an artist to work with. I also dabble in real estate and I’m pretty active in my daughter’s school.

CD: What does your daughter think of the Go-Go’s? Is she a fan?

KV:  She’s a little blasé about it, although she got a little gadget on Easter with some yellow chicks singing “We Got The Tweet” when you press a button. She played it over and over. I think the fact that one of our songs got on a toy made a big impression!

CD: Any thoughts on why so few all-female bands have broken through in the past 30 years?

KV:  I’m very interested in this topic and women musicians in general. I’m interested in the way gender differences play out and why there is still a mystique to female players. Why do fewer girls choose to start bands with their girlfriends or manage to stick it out if they do, for the long haul?

CD: You are ending the Go-Go’s tour in Austin! How did it just so happen that you are going to play the last show in your own home town?

KV:  Well, of course, we wanted to end in LA at the Greek Theater, but they only had that one date open and we had three or four more dates that we were able to fill, up ‘til the 28th. I’d been begging to hit Texas somewhere on the tour. It’s always so great to play your hometown. And it just so happened we got 2 offers on the days we were free.

CD: I love your Twitter memoir! How did you come up with that concept?

KV:  It just came about in a moment of inspiration and it seemed like a good idea. I think I was tweeting about Belinda’s memoir [Lips Unsealed], and just tossed out that I would be tweeting mine. I love it. The reactions I am getting from people are very positive. It’s my little gift to whoever wants it.

Go-Go’s 2010 Farewell Tour Dates