HOME    MUSIC    GALLERY    FORUM    NEWS ARCHIVE    INTERVIEWS

AVATAR GALLERY  STORE  LATEST UPLOADS  LINKS  ABOUT  CONTACT

                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS ARCHIVE - MAY 2010

May 29th 2010                                                                                                     

New Online Community

Due to changes at Ning.com the Belinda Carlisle Fans page that has over 150 members and over 1000 images will close in July.  Luckily a new home for the group has been found at SocialGO which offers similar features to that of Ning.  So come along and join the new group, upload your pictures and hopefully we can make the new community even better than the old one.  To join up follow the link below!

 

 

 

May 29th 2010                                                                                                     

New Online Interview

Belinda has been interviewed by Anthony Meade for Chicago Pride.  To read the interview just click through the Chicago Pride logo below!

 

 

 

May 29th 2010                                                                                                     

Manchester Pride 2010

Belinda will be performing on the Main Stage at Manchester Pride in August this year.  You can find details on how to get tickets and everything else that will be going on over the weekend of the 27th - 30th August by clicking the banner below.

 

 

 

May 22nd 2010                                                                                                     

People Magazine

Belinda, Morgan and James Duke have all taken part in a photo shoot for US People magazine at their house in France.  The pictures are to go with an article to promote Lips Unsealed and should be appearing in the publication soon!

 

Thanks to Bassingthwaighte & Brian

 

May 22nd 2010                                                                                                     

Lips Unsealed Sneak Preview!

Some fans have already received copies of Belinda's book from Amazon.  If you're still waiting for your copy here is a preview of what you can expect!  Remember you can still pre-order your copy by following the link on the left of this page!

 

 

 

 

Again thanks to Yanyan!

 

May 22nd 2010                                                                                                     

Japanese Show Review

Belinda fan Yanyan was lucky enough to go to all four of Belinda's shows in Japan.  Here is Yanyan's review!  There are also audio clips from the Osaka show!

**************

 

The bands are the same member when they came to Japan two years ago. I didn't see John who he is a sound man this time. He was funny and very nice to me. If he had came to Japan, I might meet Belinda at her backstage or out of venue... I miss him.

Runaway Horses
It is good number for opening.  Everybody knows this one, so we got exciting from the start. We were singing along 'Ohh-Ohh Runway Horses...'




Belinda said 'Hello, Tokyo'! or 'Hello Osaka!' I love to hear hear she said the name of my hometown.  er pronunciation 'Tokyo' was 'Tokio' as the same all foreigners said.  Oh, I don't care.

I Get Weak
This is one of my favorite. I love an acoustic version so much.

Circle In The Sand
She was dancing round and round. I think she didn't talk about the episode 'supermarket song'.

Bonnei Et Clyde
She talked about her biography shortly after she played. She said 'How many years ago I did it?' I said 'Two years' She said 'Yes!' She didn't ask it the next show thanks to me. haha!
I am not sure if it was the same as London, It was a new version adding drums by computer.

La Luna
The audience was so quite when Bonnei Et Clyde. I think they don't know Belinda sing French. But we had exciting again.

Summer Rain
AHHH!!! I was so happy to be able to listen this song again! She didn't play this one last time. I went to see all her shows, so I learned a choreographed sequence the last part as ohhh summer, joy, love, rain, pain, love...

Vision Of You
She said 'We shot a video in Japan. I've been 18 times to come to Japan. I love your country so much. It was so exiting to live in here. Hope come back soon'
What!? Did she come to here so many times!? Well, I counted how many times she came to Japan as I know... Her solo for 8 times and the Go-Go's for 2 times. I heard that she went back to Japan to meeting her boyfriend 1983. The total was 11 times. I didn't know she came to here privately at all. Anyway, I felt great that I knew she loves Japan.

Emotional Highway
I think this song was not known so much in Japan, but I read a couple of reviews of her fans on their blog sites later. They were so touched she played this. I was happy for them, also I love this song, too.

Mad About You
My voltage was getting high!!! I still remember when I saw this LP at the record shop at the first time. It was SO shocked how beautiful she was!!!

Big Scary Animal
Yeahhhh!!! This is one of my favorites! I always feel that I almost cried whenever I heard the last lyric 'Someday I'm gonna catch your tears'. Haha!

Vacation
One night in Osaka, she asked 'How many people do you know the Go-Go's?'
I said 'Hi! Hi! Hi! Yeeeeeessss!!!' from the end of row and jumped with LP 'Beauty and the beat'.
She noticed me 'I know who you are, yanyan'
She called my name again! Oh! Only we two persons know them? But everybody knew the song when it started. Yes, Vacation has played on the radio when summer vacation has started.




Live Your Life Be Free
I think Belinda made a mistake on the first line in Osaka. And David who's guitar player did it another night. I don't care. I should be with you!!! haha!

Leave a Light on
James who's another guitar player played solo part at the first night in Tokyo. But he didn't play other nights. Kapi who she is my friend asked him we want to hear your guitar solo, he said I will try it, but he didn't. It was surprised he came to us after the show and said 'sorry, I didn't.' How sweet!

Our Lips are Sealed
Belinda talked about this song. But she didn't talk about her book in Japan. I think it will be released in English. No translated in Japanese. I think it is good for me.

Heaven Is a Place on Earth
It seems nobody knows the acoustic version of this song. Then she song 'Ohhh Baby do you know what that's worth?', audience was singing along. Lovely ballade version...

Ne Me Quitte Pas
She set a music stand for lyric and said 'a little bit of late sing French. I swear don't cheat this paper' Yes, she sang without a paper. The audience listened very quietly. It gave me goose bumps...

Well, I went to see all her shows 4 nights 8 shows with my friend. I worried her condition until I saw her. Because her schedule was really hard. As you know, she played in London at night May 4th, then next early morning flew to Japan. She arrived here 6th. The tour started from 7th! Do you know how much long flight from London to Japan? It's about 14 or 15 hours. Also the difference time is 8 hours!!! I know how much jet lag made me bad feelings.
But Belinda was really professional singer. Her voice was amazing! Also she looked great! She was smiling and talked some jokes every nights.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about her clothing. She was wearing all black. I think it was the same as London. She changed her top which she worn it in Ireland at the last night in Osaka. I don't care whatever she wears, but I think she looks good in pink or bright colors.

I think Belinda's performances got better than better each time. I mean, she always 100% great. So the 1st day was 100% and then next day was 120% and next day was 140%. You know what I said?

 

Thanks to Yanyan!

 

May 22nd 2010                                                                                                     

Lips Unsealed Press Release

CANDID MEMOIR BY LEAD SINGER OF THE GO-GO’S REVEALS GRITTY FLIP SIDE TO THE GLITZ

● ● ●

LIPS UNSEALED BY BELINDA CARLISLE

A ROCK-AND-ROLL CLASSIC IN THE MAKING

● ● ● ● ● 

As both a solo artist and lead singer of the Go-Go’s, Belinda Carlisle is responsible for some of the most iconic songs of the eighties. Her memoir LIPS UNSEALED (on sale June 1)—one of the rare adventures through rock stardom told by a woman—is a spellbinding look at life in the fast lane of the rock world and an exploration of her dramatic personal struggles. 

The all-female members of the Go-Go’s will always be remembered as they appeared on the back of their debut record: sunny, smiling, each soaking in her own private bubble bath with chocolates and champagne. The photo is a perfect tribute to the fun, irreverent brand of pop music that they created, but it also concealed the trials and secret demons that they—and, in particular, their lead singer, Belinda Carlisle—struggled with on their rise to stardom. 

Leaving her unstable childhood home at the age of eighteen, Belinda battled serious weight issues, having been teased for her pudginess throughout grade school, and grappled with her confusion about being deserted by her biological father as a child. This talented but misguided teen found solace in the punk rock world that so openly welcomed misfits. 

Not long after forming, the Go-Go’s became queens of the L.A. punk scene, selling out venues, attracting a fiercely loyal fan base, and outpartying almost every male band they toured with. In the process, they kicked down the doors to the all-boys’ club of eighties rock and roll. With a chart-topping debut album, Belinda found herself launched to international superstardom—and with that fame came more access to A-list parties, and even more alcohol and drugs to fuel the Go-Go’s mania.  

While struggling with addiction, Belinda married the love of her life and gave birth to a wonderful son. But the strain of keeping her vices a secret inevitably led her to self-destruct. Exactly how far she’d fallen was epitomized by a shocking series of events in which she put everything sacred to her—her husband, her son, and even her life—at risk. As improbable as it seems that a woman who appeared to have everything would suffer from such issues, it was only when Belinda finally quit running from the past and faced her pain and insecurities that she was able to start enjoying her life, her family, and feeling loved. 

LIPS UNSEALED is filled with the wild stories that Belinda Carlisle fans are dying to hear—stories about the band’s crazy days on tour with acts like the Police and Madness and the fabulous parties and people to whom the Go-Go’s had exclusive access.  But more than that, this candid memoir reveals the underbelly of the glamour, as Belinda shares in vivid detail her private struggles with abusive relationships, weight, self-esteem, and a thirty-year battle with drug and alcohol addiction.

 Here are some of the topics that Belinda addresses in LIPS UNSEALED:

 THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ALL-FEMALE BAND OF ALL TIME: The Go-Go’s rose from the gritty world of punk to make pop-music history as the first all-girl band to write and play their way to #1 on the Billboard charts with hits such as “We Got the Beat,” “Vacation,” “Cool Jerk,” and “Our Lips Are Sealed.” At that time rock was truly a man’s world; even though they were popular and played to sold-out crowds, it took some time for them to land a record deal because they were told by label after label that an all-girl band couldn’t sell records. As a solo artist, Belinda also was one of the biggest pop stars of the late eighties and early nineties. “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” “Mad About You,” “I Get Weak,” and “Circle in the Sand” are some of her chart-topping songs.

SECRET STRUGGLE WITH DRUGS: Belinda was an addict for most of her life. This is well documented in her youth, but unbeknownst to the public, she struggled with drugs until 2005. For years she hid her addiction to cocaine from her husband and son, driving her into a cycle of self-hatred and depression. 

 MAINTAINING HER MARRIAGE:  Belinda met the love of her life, Morgan Mason, but her struggle with drugs pushed his patience to the limit and put incredible strains on their marriage. Morgan’s willingness to be there for her and understand her addiction almost defies belief, while at the same time reveals a love of incredible depth. Belinda’s eventual confessions offer a window on this great love story. 

BATTLE WITH WEIGHT: Belinda struggled with her weight from the time she was a young girl. The press always referred to her as “the chubby one” in the Go-Go’s, and almost every media story pointed out her size. When she lost weight and was lauded for it, she developed an eating disorder in which she would ping-pong between starving herself and bingeing. 

 IMPOSTER SYNDROME AND DEPRESSION: Even in her early days of success, Belinda never felt that she deserved any acclaim or the good things she received. When she found out the Go-Go’s album Beauty and the Beat had hit #1 on the Billboard charts, she locked herself in her apartment and did drugs, terrified that her fans and everyone else would find out how terrible she really was. Her disappearance prompted rumors of her death. Throughout her life, no matter what happened to her, she always doubted herself and never believed anyone when they tried to show her love or give her praise. This was the fear she was masking with drugs.

 FAMILY PAIN: Belinda’s father left their family when she was just a small child; his absence was never explained, so she sat by the window each night, awaiting his return. Her mother soon remarried and told Belinda she should call her alcoholic stepfather “Dad.” Her biological father often tried to get in touch with her after she became well-known; that reunion that did not end well.

 CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS (a few examples):

*John Belushi—In a New York club, Belushi lectured the Go-Go’s about the evils of drug abuse after Belinda asked him if he had any cocaine. Shortly thereafter they saw firsthand what his own behaviors really were when it came to drugs. 

*Rod Stewart—A wild, all-night party with Rod Stewart in Rio de Janeiro led a grumpy, hungover Rod to devise a way to make Belinda suffer as much as he did during his next day’s performance. 

*Michael Hutchence—Belinda had a brief but passionate affair with Michael Hutchence of INXS. The girls in the band begged Michael to talk to her about the effect the drugs were having on her performances. He did, and gave her some insightful advice about the relationship between a rock star and his/her audience.

 *Brian Wilson— A long-time idol of Belinda’s, Wilson agreed to provide background vocals on one of her solo albums. She was thrilled to work with him, but her excitement quickly turned to discomfort when she experienced the quirky realities of the disheveled genius.

 *Fergie (Sarah Ferguson)— A friend of Belinda and her husband, Morgan, the three spent a day at the beach together. Tabloids then had a field day with photos of Fergie with her “new man.”

 HER SON’S SEXUALITY:  Belinda discusses how her son, Duke, came out to her and how she and her husband tried to balance their concern for their son’s safety with giving him unconditional love and support. 

 HER 2005 REBIRTH AS A WIFE, MOTHER, AND SOBER ARTIST:  Belinda’s life changed five years ago when she dedicated herself to a 12-step program, yoga, and a new spiritual practice. 

LIPS UNSEALED shares all the details of the eighties decadence that Belinda epitomized, but also reveals the dark despair hidden behind her charming smile. An open and honest account of her rise, fall, and the healthy and happy life she has since built for herself, LIPS UNSEALED tells the story of a life fully lived.

LIPS UNSEALED by Belinda Carlisle

Crown Publishers • On sale June 1, 2010 • ISBN 978-0-307-46349-4

272 pages with eight-page photo insert • $26.00 • www.crownpublishing.com

 

 

May 22nd 2010                                                                                                     

Audio Book Excert

You can listen to a preview of Belinda reading Lips Unsealed by clicking the image below.

 

 

 

May 22nd 2010                                                                                                     

Book Signings

Belinda will be taking part in a book signing and conversation with Jian Gomeshi in Toronto on June 5th 2010.  Details can be found HERE

 

Belinda will also be in conversation with her long term friend Sandra Bernhard in Barnes & Noble in New York on June 2nd.  Details of which can be found HERE

 

 

May 22nd 2010                                                                                                     

Japan Setlist

Belinda kept the setlist the same as the Jazz Cafe for her four dates in Japan.  The shows went down a storm and Belinda appeared to be enjoying herself while on stage.  The picture below was taken at the show for MTV Japan's Blog page.

 

Runaway Horses
I Get Weak
Circle in the Sand
Bonnie Et Clyde
La Luna
Summer Rain
Vision of you
Emotional Highway
Mad About You
Big Scary Animal
Vacation
Live Your Life Be Free
Leave A Light On

Encore1
Our Lips Are Sealed
Heaven Is a Place on Earth

Encore2
Ne Me Quitte Pas

 

Thanks to Yanyan for the setlist!

 

 

May 22nd 2010                                                                                                     

Facebook Gina!

Another Go-Go has joined Facebook!  You can find Gina Schock by clicking the image below of Gina and Belinda enjoying some gossip magazines!

 

 

May 5th 2010                                                                                                       

Jazz Cafe May 4th 2010

 

Setlist

Runaway Horses

I Get Weak

Circle In The Sand

Bonnie Et Clyde

La Luna

Summer Rain

Vision of You

Emotional Highway

Mad About You

Big Scary Animal

Leave A Light On

******

Live Your Life Be Free

Vacation

Our Lips Are Sealed

Heaven Is A Place On Earth

******

Ne Me Quitte Pas

 

 

 

 

 

May 5th 2010                                                                                                       

Killarney Setlist April 30th 2010

Runaway Horses

I Get Weak

(We Want) The Same Thing

Mad About You

Circle in the Sand

Live Your Life Be Free

Leave A Light On

Heaven is a Place on Earth

 

Thanks to Brian!