Photos by Orest Dorosh – Belinda Carlisle is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the iconic all-female band The Go-Go’s, as well as for her successful solo career. Born on August 17, 1958, in Los Angeles, California, she began her music career in the late 1970s. Before her rise to fame with The Go-Go’s, Carlisle was involved in the punk rock scene. The Go-Go’s became one of the most successful all-female bands in history, known for their catchy pop-rock songs and their 1981 breakthrough album Beauty and the Beat, which included hits like “Our Lips Are Sealed” and “We Got the Beat.”
Following the disbandment of The Go-Go’s in the mid-1980s, Carlisle embarked on a solo career that would see her achieve even greater commercial success. Her 1986 solo debut album Belinda included the hit “Mad About You,” which marked the beginning of her solo pop success. However, it was her 1987 album Heaven on Earth that truly solidified her as a solo pop star, with the global hit “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” which became a number one single in the United States. Her follow-up albums, including Runaway Horses (1989) and Live Your Life Be Free (1991), continued to feature her signature sound, a mix of infectious pop melodies and empowering lyrics.
Carlisle’s career, spanning over four decades, has been marked by her versatility as a performer, navigating through pop, rock, and new wave influences. Despite facing personal struggles, including battles with substance abuse, she has remained a beloved figure in both the pop and rock music scenes. Beyond her musical achievements, Carlisle is also an advocate for animal rights and a dedicated philanthropist. With a lasting influence on pop music and a loyal fanbase, Belinda Carlisle continues to be celebrated as one of the most significant pop stars of the 1980s and beyond.
