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Susanna Hoffs 'Bangles' Legend 'The Lost Interviews' Episode 2

Susanna Hoffs: The Bangles Legendary Singer,Songwriter,Musician, and Author!

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36 min / Published

'SUSANNA HOFFS BANGLES LEGEND THE LOST INTERVIEWS'

Susanna Hoffs is the beautiful, talented & iconic vocalist for the commercially successful all- female pop/rock/new wave/ band ‘The Bangles.’ Hoffs angelic and awe-inspiring vocals are definitive on such Bangles classics as …“Manic Monday” (1985 #2 US Billboard Hit), “Walk Like an Egyptian” (1986 #1 US Billboard Hit), “If She Knew What She Wants” (1986 #29 US Billboard Hit), “Hazy Shade of Winter” (1987 #2 US Billboard Hit), “Walking Down Your Street” (1987 #11 US Billboard Hit),“In Your Room” (1988 #5 US Billboard Hit), and the breathtaking “Eternal Flame” (1988 #1 US Billboard Hit). Hoffs is also ‘The Bangles’ rhythm guitarist and songwriter.

THE BANGS: After Susanna Hoffs graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she studied theatre, dance, and art, she headed back to Los Angeles and placed an ad in The Recycler, an LA based classifieds newspaper. A trio began to form with the addition of Sisters Vicky Peterson (vocals/guitars) and Debbi Peterson (vocals/drums) while subsequently adding Annette Zilinskas on bass. After short stints with names such as ‘The Colours’ and ‘The Supersonic Bangs,’ the newly formed all-girl band eventually settled on ‘The Bangs’ while swiftly becoming a vital part of the Los Angeles Paisley Underground scene. The Bangs debut single “Getting Out of Hand” was released on their label DownKiddie Records and caught the attention of KROQ deejay Rodney Bingenheimer who repeatedly played the record on his show.

THE BANGLES: ‘The Bangs’ were auspiciously mandated to change their name so the group dropped ‘The’ and added the letters ‘les’ to form ‘Bangles,’ a banner that would flourish into one of the greatest all-female groups in rock and roll history. In 1982, under new manager Miles Copeland, The Bangles supported The English Beat on a UK tour. In 1983, the group made its first appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.

In 1984, ‘All Over the Place,’ The Bangles first full-length album was released on CBS (Columbia) Records. Michael Steele had replaced Annette Zilinskas on bass. Steele began her music career as Micki Steele with The Runaways. ‘All Over the Place,’ spawned the singles”Hero Takes a Fall,” and “Going Down to Liverpool” which featured Susanna’s childhood neighbor and family friend Leonard Nimoy. The Bangles popularity escalated and was asked to join such acts as ‘Cyndi Lauper’ and ‘Huey Lewis and the News’ on tour.

 

Susanna Hoffs and The Bangles had captivated the attention of R&B/Pop/Funk/ music artist & songwriter ‘Prince.’ Prince offered his penned single “Manic Monday” (1984) to The Bangles and the group promptly brought the tune into the recording studio. “Manic Monday” (1986) became The Bangles first big hit peaking at #2 on Billboards US Charts.

Their second studio album ‘Different Light’ (1986) produced by David Kahne peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Charts and is considered to be their most successful to date. Also in 1986, The Bangles opened for 'Queen' at Slane Castle, Ireland.

 

In 1987, “Walk like an Egyptian” won Best Video at the 15th Annual Music Awards and again at the 5th Annual American Video Awards. ‘Everything’ (1988) The Bangles third studio album spawned the Top 5 Hit “In Your Room,” and their worldwide #1 single “Eternal Flame” penned by Susanna Hoffs, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.

The Bangles attained a well-deserved hiatus throughout the 90’s but returned with rock and roll vengeance in 1999. They released their fourth studio album entitled ‘Doll Revolution’ in 2003. Bassist Michael Steele officially left The Bangles in 2005 and the band decided to use guest bassists while on tour. The Bangles most recent album ‘Sweetheart of the Sun’ was released in 2011.

In January of 2014, The Bangles returned to the legendary Whisky A GO GO to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary.

SUSANNA HOFFS: In 1991, Susanna released her debut solo album entitled ‘When You’re a Boy’ produced by David Kahne. The album spawned the Top 40 hit single “My Side of the Bed.” The release featured such musical luminaries as John Entwistle, Jim Keltner, and Donovan. In 1996, Susanna Hoffs released her second studio album entitled ‘Susanna Hoffs.’

Based on a Saturday Night Live stint in the early 1990’s, Hoffs performed in the band ‘Ming Tea’ with … Mike Myers, Matthew Sweet, Christopher Ward and Stuart Johnson. The SNL skit morphed into a three comedy film series ... Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). Jay Roach, Susanna’s husband directed the Austin Power series and ‘Ming Tea’ performed in all three movies.

In 2006, Susanna collaborated with alternative rocker Matthew Sweet under the name ‘Sid n Susie,’ and released ‘Under the Covers’ Volumes 1, 2 &3 featuring classic rock cover songs of the 60’s,70’s, and 80's.

In 2012, Susanna released her critically-acclaimed studio album entitled ‘Someday.’ Susanna’s vocals are more radiant than ever. Hoffs collaborated with musical partner Andrew Brassell and producer Mitchell Froom on her best solo album to date. All the tracks are co-penned by Susanna Hoffs.

Hoffs & Brassell continue to co-write music and hope to release a new album sometime in 2015.

‘Susanna Hoffs’ performs at The Satellite in Los Angeles on July 18th with special guests Fred Armisen and Petra Haden.

‘The Bangles’ kicked off their summer concert series on June 6th at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, California … click [Here] for a complete ‘Bangles’ tour listing.

Recently, I had the great pleasure of chatting with Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles and discussed … Her latest solo projects …Collaborating with Andrew Brassell … Producer Mitchell Froom … Early musical influences …The Bangles past & present … The inception of “Manic Monday,” “Eternal Flame,” “A Hazy Shade of Winter,” …and future plans as a solo artist & with ‘The Bangles.’

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PURCHASE

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

Series one

By

RAY SHASHO

Available

At

Bookbaby.com

And amazon.com

CHAPTER ONE SPOTLIGHTS INTERVIEWS WITH MANY OF THE MUSIC LEGENDS WHO ARE NO LONGER WITH US

THE HARDCOVER EDITION IS A BONAFIDE COLLECTORS ITEM!

…Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover or E-book at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

 

  • susanna hoffs
  • The bangles
  • classic rock
  • the lost interviews
  • ray shasho
  • interviewing the legends
  • the rock star chronicles
Show notes

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Interviewing the Legends: Rock Stars & Celebs
A podcast by Rock Raymond
Interviewing the Legends with Your Host ... Music Journalist, Talk Show Host and Author Ray Shasho
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