Belinda Carlisle: ‘We’ve gone backwards – and the industry is still run by men’

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The former Go-Go’s lead singer and solo artist on the rise of the tawdry in music, how to stave off career death – and where to find heaven on earth.

Belinda Carlisle: “Being sexualised is not going to lead to longevity.”Well, when I started out with the Go-Go’s, we were really lucky that we didn’t have any of that BS. Men were really intimidated by us; we were like a five-headed monster. It wasn’t until I went solo that things were said that were really uncool.I was told by one really big manager, “You could be a really big star if you just showed your tits and sang songs like, ‘Stick it in me …’ ”Literally! I’m not kidding.

I’ve always had a good sense of who I am. And I pride myself on having a bit of dignity – which artists can lose sight of for fame. But about five years ago, the Go-Go’s were performing at the Billboard Awards in Las Vegas. We’ve seen it all. We’ve done it all. Nothing is shocking. But it was shocking to see – up close – how sexualised the music industry had become. Humping on dancers; humping on guitars; young girls wearing nothing.

I never thought I could make money from it until the Go-Go’s formed. The only thing I ever wanted to do when I was growing up was to see the world. I thought being a travel agent would be a perfect way. Then I discovered the Runaways and thought, “At what point did you think, “I’ve made it. I’m rich”?] – changed my life completely. That’s when I thought, “Wow!” I still had a little bit of imposter syndrome, but it was the first time I could afford my own house – a beautiful house.

Part of it’s luck, but part of it is that I have a really good sense of myself. I might not have the best voice, but I have a distinctive voice, and that’s carried me through the years.First of all, being sexualised is not going to lead to longevity. You may get attention, but that’s not the same as respect and longevity. It’s just a cheap way to go and, unfortunately for women, it’s the obvious way to go. Don’t do the obvious. But it’s funny that we’re talking about death.

Actually, I was relieved for her. She’d been sick a long time. But losing your mother is weird; there’s a metaphysical connection. The other day, I went to call her and realised, “My mom isn’t here.” But, actually, my mom is here. Part of my practice is that when somebody passes on, I chant for 17 days to help the soul go on. I was chanting for my mom and my friend said, “Just ask for a sign.” I thought of Hershey’s Kisses, but there are no Hershey’s Kisses in Mexico.

 

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Belinda Carlisle: ‘We’ve gone backwards – and the industry is still run by men’The former Go-Go’s lead singer and solo artist on the rise of the tawdry in music, how to stave off career death – and where to find heaven on earth.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Belinda Carlisle: ‘We’ve gone backwards – and the industry is still run by men’The former Go-Go’s lead singer and solo artist on the rise of the tawdry in music, how to stave off career death – and where to find heaven on earth.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »