Today's (abbreviated) Music Box post was inspired by Bangles drummer Debbi Peterson, who turns the big 5-0 today. (Happy Birthday, Deb!) Besides being a world-class instrumentalist (she's quite handy on the guitar too), Vicki's little sister also sang lead on two the group's singles, "Going Down to Liverpool" and "Be With You." (Check her out singing from behind her drum kit on David Letterman circa 1984 below!)
With the Bangles back together, you probably won't be seeing a UB40 in Debbi's hands
As it would happen, I found out just last week that the Bangles -- now a trio since the retirement of bassist Michael Steele in 2005 -- are doing a concise tour of the East Coast this fall supporting a new album, "Sweetheart of the Sun," due out Sept. 27. (Pre-order HERE.)
The forthcoming single, "Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun)," is pure delight, much like "Tear Off Your Own Head (It's a Doll Revolution)" was on the band's initial reunion album in 2003, only this one's penned by the group. (The sound is more EP than "Everything.") It was shame that the label -- or the band? -- relied on so many covers and outside writers and co-writers for the group's singles when the bulk of the albums were written by these incredibly talented women, including fan favorites "Hero Takes a Fall," "James," "Dover Beach," "Following" and "Bell Jar." ("Bell Jar" is Belinda Carlisle's favorite Bangles song, btw!) If the rest of the album is even half as interesting as the single -- and the recently released artwork -- we may have a winner.
The forthcoming single, "Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun)," is pure delight, much like "Tear Off Your Own Head (It's a Doll Revolution)" was on the band's initial reunion album in 2003, only this one's penned by the group. (The sound is more EP than "Everything.") It was shame that the label -- or the band? -- relied on so many covers and outside writers and co-writers for the group's singles when the bulk of the albums were written by these incredibly talented women, including fan favorites "Hero Takes a Fall," "James," "Dover Beach," "Following" and "Bell Jar." ("Bell Jar" is Belinda Carlisle's favorite Bangles song, btw!) If the rest of the album is even half as interesting as the single -- and the recently released artwork -- we may have a winner.
(Read my full-length Music Box on the Bangles HERE.)
4 comments:
Wait! you give Debbie a birthday post and last week Madonna who you say bugs you but no post for Belinda Carlisle? is the world ending?
That first Bangles album (and EP)? Perfection. Still one of my favorite records. That second album? Infamous sellout. It shocks me to this day.
I miss Michael Steele. She was under-utilized and one of the better songwriters in the band.
WHO IS Debbie Peterson?
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