The Bangles are an American pop rock band that were formed in Los Angeles in 1981. They recorded several hit singles during the 1980s, including "Walk Like an Egyptian", "Manic Monday," "A Hazy Shade of Winter," and "Eternal Flame."
Their classic line-up consisted of Michael Steele on bass and vocals, founding members Susanna Hoffs on vocals and rhythm guitar, Debbi Peterson on drums and vocals, and Vicki Peterson on lead guitar and vocals. The band currently consists of Hoffs, Debbi and Vicki Peterson, and Annette Zilinskas. They first performed as The Colours in 1981.
Shortly afterward the group renamed themselves The Bangs. The band was part of the Los Angeles Paisley Underground scene, which featured groups that played a mixture of 1960s-influenced rock. In 1981, Hoffs and the Petersons recorded and released a single ("Getting Out of Hand" b/w "Call on Me") on DownKiddie Records (their own label). The Bangs were signed to Faulty Products, a label formed by Miles Copeland.
The band recorded an EP in 1982, and released the single "The Real World". At the last minute they discovered another band had registered the Bangs name and would not let them use it without payment so they become Bangles. Their first EP was retitled Bangles and released. In 1983, Faulty Products issued a 12-inch "remix" single of "The Real World" to radio and media, but another setback came as the label folded. I.R.S. Records picked up distribution and re-issued the EP. After Zilinskas left the band to focus on her own project, Blood on the Saddle, she was replaced by Michael Steele, formerly of the all-female band The Runaways, Toni & The Movers, Slow Children and Elton Duck.
Bangles' full-length debut album on Columbia Records, All Over the Place (1984), captured their power pop roots, featuring the singles "Hero Takes a Fall" and the Kimberley Rew-penned Beatlesque "Going Down to Liverpool". They received a much wider audience serving as the opening act for Cyndi Lauper on her Fun Tour. Prince gave them "Manic Monday" and went on to become a number-two hit in the US, the UK and Germany.
The band's second album Different Light (January 1986) was more polished than its predecessor and, with the help of the worldwide number-one hit "Walk Like an Egyptian" saw the band firmly in the mainstream. Three additional hit singles released from the “Different Light” album were: "Following”, “Walking Down Your Street” and "If She Knew What She Wants".
The album Everything (1988) was another multi-platinum hit and included the top five hit "In Your Room", as well as their biggest selling single "Eternal Flame". Co-writer Billy Steinberg came up with the title after Hoffs told him about the band's recent trip to Memphis where they visited Graceland. An eternal flame is maintained at Presley's grave. The single became their biggest worldwide hit and the biggest single by an all-female band ever. By this point, the working relationships had broken down within the band, and the members went their separate ways shortly after. Hoffs began a solo career, and Vicki Peterson toured as a member of the Continental Drifters and as a fill-in member of The Go-Go's. The band re-formed in 1998 and is still active.
