Named
for her mother's favorite film, "Johnny Belinda", Belinda Carlisle was born
August 17, 1958 in Hollywood, USA. Belinda is the oldest of seven children
(Butch, Hope,
Mary, Joe, Josh and Sarah) and attended Newbury Park High School. Belinda
struggled with a weight problem through school but still managed to become
a cheerleader in High School. It was in May of 1978 that she would
start
on the road that would see Belinda Carlisle in the Rock & Roll history
books.
Jane Wiedlin and Belinda Carlisle met and began a band called the Misfits. Charlotte Caffey, Elissa Bello, Margo Olaverra, Jane Wiedlin and Belinda Carlisle were the original members of the band (Elissa Bello would be replaced by Gina Schock and in 1980 Margo was replaced by Kathy Valentine due to health reasons). Originally the band was a new wave band and played for awhile in the LA Punk scenes. By 1979 the band would change their name to The Go-Gos and leave the punk rock scenes for the Pop industry. By 1980 the band was opening for the likes of Madness in the UK and the following year would see the release of the Go-Gos first album "Beauty And The Beat" which would take the US by storm and remain in number 1 spot for six weeks. With their first album reaching double-platinum, the Go-Gos would make history by becoming the first all female band to hit the top 10 in US charts. The Go-Gos are noted for paving the way for other female bands.
In 1985 the Go-Gos
disbanded and Belinda Carlisle announced that she would be continuing as
a solo artist. Carlisle's first solo album "Belinda" received mediocre reviews
but her second "Heaven On Earth" would make her solo career a success.
In 1986 Belinda also married film producer Morgan Mason (son of actor James
Mason)
and in April of 1992 Carlisle would give birth to their son James Duke
Mason.
Giving birth during the riots that hit LA in 1992, prompted Belinda Carlisle
to relocate her family to France in 1994. Belinda Carlisle and her family
would finally decide to settle down in
the English countryside of Great Briton.