The Bangles in a 1980s publicity photo; Debbi Peterson, Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, Michael Steele. The Bangles was one of the new generation of independent all-women bands that followed The Go-Go's in the early 1980s. The band was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 as The Supersonic Bangs, later shortened to The Bangs. They were forced to change their name to The Bangles when a band from New Jersey, also named The Bangs, threatened to sue. Contents 1 History 2 Band members 3 Discography 4 Singles 5 DVDs, films 6 Trivia 7 External links History The original lineup was Susanna Hoffs (guitar, vocals), Debbi Peterson (drums, vocals, bass), and Vicki Peterson (guitar, vocals, bass); this lineup made one 45, "Getting out of Hand" b/w "Call on Me". Annette Zilinskas took over bass duties in 1982 and also played harmonica. This lineup put out an extended play disc titled The Bangles that same year. Zilinskas left in 1983 and was replaced with Michael Steele, formerly of The Runaways. The Bangles' debut album on Columbia, All Over The Place (1984) captured their power-pop roots, and attracted the attention of Prince, who wrote "Manic Monday" for the group. "Manic Monday" went on to become a US #2 hit, outsold at the time only by another Prince composition, his very own "Kiss". The accompanying album Different Light (1986) was more polished than its predecessor and, with the help of the worldwide #1 hit "Walk like an Egyptian", saw the band firmly in the mainstream as FM radio and MTV stalwarts. There was friction among band members after the media began singling out Hoffs as the lead singer of the group. In 1986, Hoffs starred in a film, The Allnighter, which was directed by her mother Tamar Simon-Hoffs and was critically panned. That, and the firing of their manager Miles Copeland, further exacerbated to dissent among the band members. But they soon had another #2 hit with a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade Of Winter", from the soundtrack of the film Less Than Zero which they produced on their own. 1988's Everything was another multi-platinum smash, and included their biggest selling single in the soft ballad "Eternal Flame", but working relationships within the band had broken down and they split shortly after, with Hoffs embarking on a solo career and Vicki Peterson touring as a member of The Go-Go's and the Continental Drifters. Hoffs released a solo album, "When You're a Boy" produced by former Bangles producer David Kahne. The album spawned a minor hit, "My Side of the Bed" but it stalled and Hoffs was soon dropped from Columbia. Her second solo album, "Susanna Hoffs", released in 1996, fared better critically but it too had disappointing sales. Hoffs married film director Jay Roach ("Austin Powers" "Meet the Parents") and their union led to the Bangles reunion of 2000. Vicki Peterson joined and contributed songs to the New Orleans band the Continental Drifters, which received rave reviews. Debbie Peterson had a short lived career with Siobhan Maher under the name of Kindred Spirit, while Steele lived in semi-retirement in California. In 2000 they reformed to tour, and in 2001-2002 recorded a new album, Doll Revolution. A cover version of "Eternal Flame" was a 2001 UK #1 for Atomic Kitten. Doll Revolution, featuring such songs as "Stealing Rosemary", "Ride the Ride", "Nickel Romeo", and the single "Something That You Said", was released in early 2003. The title track was written by Elvis Costello. The Japanese version of the album features as bonus tracks both sides of their debut single. Though it sold poorly, due to lack of promotion, the album received rave reviews. In May 2005, the Bangles announced the departure of Michael Steele, and appear to be "Bangling" on with no immediate plans to replace her. Abby Travis replaced Michael Steele on bass for the rest of the tour. The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. Band members The Bangles (2003 promo photo). From the left: Michael Steele, Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson and Debbi Peterson. Susanna Hoffs Vicki Peterson Debbi Peterson Michael Steele - left in April 2005 Discography The Bangles (EP) (1982) All Over The Place (1984) Different Light (1986) Everything (1988) Greatest Hits (1990) Doll Revolution (2003) Singles Year Title Chart positions Album US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock UK 1981 "Getting Out Of Hand" - - - - - 1983 "The Real World" - - - - The Bangles 1984 "Hero Takes A Fall" - - - - All Over The Place 1985 "Going Down To Liverpool" - - - - All Over The Place 1985 "Manic Monday" 2 - - 3 Different Light 1986 "If She Knew What She Wants" 29 - - 31 Different Light 1986 "Going Down To Liverpool (re-release)" - - - 56 All Over The Place 1986 "Walk Like An Egyptian" 1 - - 3 Different Light 1987 "Walking Down Your Street" 11 - - 16 Different Light 1987 "Following" - - - 55 Different Light 1987 "Hazy Shade Of Winter" 2 - - 11 Less Than Zero Motion Picture Soundtrack 1988 "In Your Room" 5 - - 35 Everything 1988 "Eternal Flame" 1 - - 1 Everything 1989 "Be With You" 30 - - 23 Everything 1988 "I'll Set You Free (remix)" - - - 74 Everything 1990 "Everything I Wanted" - - - - Greatest Hits 1990 "Walk Like An Egyptian (remix)" - - - 75 Greatest Hits 1990 "The Eternal Mix" - - - - Everything 2003 "Something That You Said" - - - 38 Doll Revolution 2003 "Tear Off Your Own Head" - - - - Doll Revolution 2003 "I Will Take Care Of You " - - - - Doll Revolution DVDs, films The Haircut (1982) (cameo appearance) The Bangles - Greatest Hits: Videos (VHS) (1990) Doll Revolution Bonus DVD (2003) The Bangles - Greatest Hits: Videos (DVD) (2005) Trivia The Bangles are the subject of an irreverent tribute song by The Saw Doctors entitled "I'd Love to Kiss the Bangles". External links The Bangles official website Allmusic.com Entry The Bangles Discography The Bangles Lyrics Vocal Group Hall of Fame page on the Banglesde:Bangles Search Term: "The_Bangles" Categories: The Bangles