The Go-Go's

Knowing a lot about the late-70s early 80s LA Punk music, I did a lot of cringing during this documentary. The Go-Go's didn't have much if any punk credibility. They were laughed at, spit on, etc., and it wasn't just "White Nationalist" skin heads, it was most in the punk scene. They might say it was misogynistic white men ridiculing them, but the fact was they weren't a good punk band, they were just the first all female act. That's it. The Go-Go's were first and foremast a pop act that grew in fame with MTV in the early 80s. They were a gimmick act in the eyes of many, They weren't professional musicians, in fact, outside of Charlotte Caffey, they could barely play their instruments. They did do a lot of drugs, so there's that. Belinda Carlisle's decades long coke habitat isn't even mentioned here. I have the feeling that many things were left out in this revisionist documentary. So, they were the first all female band that actually wrote and performed their own songs. That's at least something. They didn't make a lot of music, but I'll say one thing in their favor, there are worse acts in the Rock and Roll HoF.

Terrific, consistently entertaining doc, especially good because -- for once -- these colorful media creations are seemingly telling the truth. Very welcome is the perspective of ex (and first) manager Ginger Canzoneri, booking agent Miles Copeland, and founding bassist Margot Olavarria, who was jettisoned early because she didn't want to follow the yellow brick road to pop success. Thankfully, ubiquitous rock doc dummies -- Grohl and Rollins -- are not included, although a Rolling Stone writer nobody has ever heard of is given screen time. The band is expected to launch its annual farewell tour next year.

I recently discovered their first album in a thrift shop. Thought I would give the documentary a view. W0W what a great history lesson!! A must watch for any music buff.