Lunch with The Go-Go’s – recorded and broadcast on August 31, 1981 from Emerald City in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
Needless to say, the 1980s were a scramble to figure out what was going on in Music – genres were falling out of the woodwork and the 70s were still getting a foothold in America via Punk, while New Wave was having a better time catching on, at least in commercial circles. Radio probably added to much of the confusion, prompting most mainstream labels to get on a “If You Play It, Say It” campaign.
But probably one of the most significant changes was the growth and mainstream popularity of the all-female band. Women were no longer just considered singers, but were now drummers, bass players, lead guitarists, keyboards – all the areas previously considered out of bounds. Women were heavily involved in the Punk movement, but it was the mainstream that proved illusive on many levels. But it wasn’t really until The Go-Go’s appeared (and roughly the same time as The Bangles, another L.A. Punk conglomerate), somewhat spiffy and streamlined, leaning into more mainstream Rock, that Women started to be taken seriously. Not without the attempted trivializing that accompanied the breakthrough – everything from “America’s Sweethearts” to “they didn’t play their own instruments in the studio” dismissing, without success. It was time and it was fun to watch.
And as you can tell by this 1981 concert, recorded for WMMR-FM from Emerald City in New Jersey, the audience is 100% chuffed and on their side. They may not have entirely been America’s Sweethearts, but they certainly were “Your real little sisters”.
Good times. Crank it up and dive in.
