The Bangles were one of the biggest female pop groups of the 80s and were so popular at one time that they became a piece of pop culture that defined the decade. Originally "Colours," "the Supersonic Bangs," and "the Bangs," the all-singing/all-performing four-woman Bangles formed in 1981 in Los Angeles and consisted of Sisters Debbi and Vicki Peterson, on drums and guitar, respectively and singer/guitarist Susanna Hoffs, later adding Annette Zilinskas on bass. Zilinskas would leave the group after their 1984 debut album and was replaced by former Runaway Michael S
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teele. On the second album, 1985's Different Light, the band got an assist from
Prince (or "Christopher," as he was known during that phase) with his song "Manic Monday," which charted at number two. This hit paved the way for the follow-up smash "Walk Like an Egyptian," which went to number one and sent the album to the top of the charts, finally putting the girls firmly in the pop limelight. Future Black Crowes’ producer George Drakoulias was enlisted to play the guitar lead for their next single, a cover of
Simon & Garfunkel's "
Hazy Shade of Winter" from the Less Than Zero soundtrack, which reached number one in 1987. In 1988, the girl group returned to the charts with another hit—Eternal Flame.
Citing artistic differences, the Bangles split up in 1989 as band members pursued other opportunities. The band reconfigured in 2000 however, and played some tour dates, later coming up with a new studio album—Doll Revolution, which arrived in 2003. The album was met with critical praise and ushered in a new era of performing and recording. “We're so grateful to be a band that still enjoys playing music together, we have a great time performing,” Hoffs has said, adding, “there are more songs left to be written and recorded, and we're just putting one foot in front of the other and making choices for the next year in terms of what we can accomplish." With new legions of fans backing their every move and a loyal following from the eighties, it’s clear they’ll be able to accomplish quite a lot.
