Belinda Carlisle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Belinda Carlisle
Carlisle in 1987
Born	Belinda Jo Carlisle (1958-08-17) August 17, 1958 (age 66) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other names	Belinda Jo Dottie Danger Belinda Jo Kurczeski
Occupation	Singer songwriter actress memoirist
Years active	1977–present
Spouse(s)	Morgan Mason ​ (m. 1986)​
Children	1
Relatives	James Mason (father-in-law) Pamela Mason (mother-in-law) Portland Mason (sister-in-law)
Musical career
Genres	New wave pop pop rock punk rock
Labels	I.R.S. MCA Virgin Chrysalis Ark 21 Rykodisc EMI

Belinda Jo Carlisle is an American singer and songwriter. She became famous as the lead singer of the Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female rock bands ever. After the band, she had a very successful career as a solo artist.

Belinda grew up in Southern California. She helped start the Go-Go's in 1978. Their first album, Beauty and the Beat, was a huge hit in 1981. It helped make new wave music popular in the United States. The Go-Go's have sold over seven million records around the world.

When the Go-Go's broke up in 1985, Belinda started her solo career. She had many popular songs like "Mad About You" and "Heaven Is a Place on Earth". The Go-Go's got back together in 1999. Belinda performed with them until 2022, while also continuing her solo music.

Belinda's book, Lips Unsealed, came out in 2010. It was a New York Times Best Seller. In 1999, VH1 ranked the Go-Go's as No. 76 on their list of 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll. In 2011, Belinda and the Go-Go's received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They were also added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and the California Hall of Fame in 2024.

Early Life and Music Dreams

Carlisle in her 1976 yearbook photo

Belinda Jo Carlisle was born in Hollywood, California, on August 17, 1958. Her father worked at a gas station, and her mother was a homemaker. Belinda was named after her mother's favorite movie, Johnny Belinda. She has Irish and Native American family roots. Belinda was the oldest of seven children.

Her family moved many times when she was young. They lived in places like Simi Valley and Reseda. When Belinda was seven, they settled in Burbank. At age ten, Belinda became interested in music. She liked bands like the Beach Boys and the Animals.

Later, her family moved to Thousand Oaks, California. Belinda went to Colina Junior High School and Newbury Park High School. After high school, she worked at a fabric store and as a clerk. At 19, Belinda decided to focus on her music career.

Music Career Beginnings

Joining Early Bands

Belinda first joined a punk rock band called the Germs in 1977. She played the drums and used the name Dottie Danger. Her time with the band was short, and she never recorded or performed live with them. She did introduce the band at a show in 1977, which can be heard on a live album.

Soon after leaving the Germs, Belinda helped create the Go-Go's. She started the band with friends Margot Olavarria, Elissa Bello, and Jane Wiedlin. Later, the band's lineup changed to include Belinda, Jane, Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine, and Gina Schock. None of the women were trained musicians at first. Belinda remembers having to use tape to mark where to put their fingers on the guitar!

The Go-Go's Success

The Go-Go's became one of the most successful American bands of the 1980s. They helped bring new wave music to popular radio. They were the first and only all-female band to write their own music and play their own instruments to have a No. 1 album. That album was Beauty and the Beat (1981). It included hit songs like "We Got the Beat" and "Our Lips Are Sealed".

The Go-Go's released two more albums. Vacation (1982) sold very well. Their 1984 album, Talk Show, had the song "Head over Heels", which reached No. 11. In 1984, Belinda also acted in the movie Swing Shift as a band singer.

Belinda's Solo Career Takes Off

When the Go-Go's split up in 1985, Belinda started her solo music career. Her first solo album, Belinda, came out in 1986. It was very popular in North America. Her summer hit "Mad About You" reached No. 3 in the United States. It was No. 1 in Canada.

Belinda also sang songs for movie soundtracks. These included "In My Wildest Dreams" from Mannequin (1987).

Her 1987 album, Heaven on Earth, had a more modern 1980s pop sound. It was a top 5 album in the UK and Australia. It was even nominated for a Grammy Award.

The first song from the album, "Heaven Is a Place on Earth", was a No. 1 hit in the United States and the UK. The music video for this song was directed by famous actress Diane Keaton. The next song, "I Get Weak", reached No. 2 in the United States. "Circle in the Sand" was another top 10 hit. After this success, Belinda went on a world tour. She sold out Wembley Arena in London.

Belinda's next album, Runaway Horses, came out in 1989. It was also a top 5 album in Australia and the UK. The first song, "Leave a Light On", was a top 5 hit in many countries.

In 1989, Belinda also sang with the band the Smithereens on their song "Blue Period". The song "Summer Rain" from Runaway Horses was a big hit in Australia. Other popular songs from the album included "La Luna" and "(We Want) The Same Thing".

In late 1990, the Go-Go's reunited for a tour. They supported their first greatest hits album. During this tour, the band members supported PETA and spoke out against using animal fur.

Music in the 1990s

In 1991, Belinda released her fourth solo album, Live Your Life Be Free. This album had a sound inspired by the 1960s. The song "Do You Feel Like I Feel?" had a music video inspired by an old movie. The title song, "Live Your Life Be Free", was a top 20 hit in many countries.

In 1992, her greatest hits album, The Best of Belinda, Volume 1, reached No. 1 in the UK. It included all her hits from her popular albums.

Belinda's fifth solo album, Real, came out in 1993. This album was different from her usual pop music. Belinda helped write and produce much of the album with her friend Charlotte Caffey from the Go-Go's. The album reached No. 9 in the UK. The first song, "Big Scary Animal", was a top 12 hit in the UK.

The Go-Go's reunited again in 1994. They released a collection of songs called Return to the Valley of The Go-Go's, which had three new songs. But the band broke up again after a short tour.

Belinda returned to the studio and released her sixth solo album, A Woman & a Man, in 1996. This album helped her solo career in Europe. The song "In Too Deep" was a top 10 hit in the UK. "Always Breaking My Heart" was another top 10 hit. The album also had the song "California", which featured Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys. In 1997, she sang "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" for the Disney movie Hercules.

In 1999, Belinda released a double greatest hits album called A Place on Earth: The Greatest Hits. It had her hits and three new songs. The album sold over one million copies worldwide.

Later Music and Go-Go's Reunions

2001–2009

Carlisle performing live with the Go-Go's in Austin, Texas, 2008

In 2001, the Go-Go's reunited again and released a new album, God Bless the Go-Go's. Green Day's singer, Billie Joe Armstrong, helped write one of the songs. The album received mixed reviews but reached No. 57 on the US Billboard charts.

In 2007, Belinda released her seventh solo album, Voila. This album was different because it featured French pop songs and classic French tunes.

In 2009, Belinda was on the TV show Dancing with the Stars. She was the first person to be eliminated. In October 2009, Belinda also performed in the London stage show Hairspray. She played the role of Velma Von Tussle.

2010–Present

Carlisle performing in Bristol, England, 2014

Between 2011 and 2012, Belinda toured the United States with the Go-Go's. In 2013, she released her first new US song in 17 years called "Sun". It was an upbeat pop song.

In 2013 and 2014, many of Belinda's past albums were re-released with extra songs and videos. In 2014, a new Greatest Hits album called The Collection came out. It had 18 hits and one new song.

In 2015, Belinda said she had finished a new album inspired by Kundalini yoga. She had become a teacher of this type of yoga. In late 2016, the Go-Go's went on an international tour. Belinda said it would likely be their last tour together.

Belinda's eighth album, Wilder Shores, was released in 2017. It featured Gurmukhi chants.

In May 2021, the Go-Go's were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They performed some of their hit songs at the ceremony. In 2023, Belinda said that the Go-Go's had officially disbanded.

On March 16, 2023, Belinda released "Big Big Love". This was the first song from her new five-song album, Kismet. This album was her first English-language pop music in 27 years. It was popular in several countries. Belinda also plans to release a new English-language album soon. In February 2024, Belinda and the Go-Go's were inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

Musical Style and Influences

Belinda Carlisle is known for her strong soprano voice. Her music, both with the Go-Go's and as a solo artist, is mostly pop music. Some music experts say her early Go-Go's songs also had influences from punk rock.

Critics have called Belinda a "punk diva" and a "pop princess." With the Go-Go's, she was part of the new wave style. Their band was known for mixing punk with the sound of California surf music. Her solo albums, starting with Belinda (1986), were seen as more polished pop music.

When she was a child, she was inspired by the Beach Boys, Cat Stevens, and the Animals. As a teenager, she saw Iggy Pop on an album cover. This led her to discover punk and art rock bands like the Velvet Underground and Sex Pistols. In a 2013 interview, Belinda said that even though she made a lot of pop music, she didn't listen to it much herself. She said she was recently inspired by jazz artists like Miles Davis.

Personal Life

Family and Home

Carlisle signing autographs in 2012

In 1986, Belinda married Morgan Mason. He is a film producer and the son of famous actors James Mason and Pamela Mason. Morgan appeared in Belinda's music videos for "Mad About You" and "Heaven Is a Place on Earth".

Belinda and Morgan have one son, James Duke Mason, who was born in 1992. Duke is a writer, an activist for LGBT rights, and a political commentator. After an earthquake in 1994, Belinda and her family moved to France. They lived there and in the U.S. for many years. In 2017, they moved to Bangkok, Thailand. As of 2024, they live in Mexico City, Mexico.

Helping Others

Belinda supports LGBT rights. She became very open about this after her son, Duke, told her he was gay in 2006.

In 2014, Belinda helped start Animal People Alliance. This is a group in Calcutta, India. It helps raise money and trains women to care for street animals. Belinda says, "We are teaching people that animals have feelings." The group also teaches about adopting animals and getting emergency vet care.

In June 2024, Belinda received an award for her work helping animals.

Awards and Nominations

Billboard Music Awards

Other Awards

Discography

Studio albums

• Belinda (1986)
• Heaven on Earth (1987)
• Runaway Horses (1989)
• Live Your Life Be Free (1991)
• Real (1993)
• A Woman & a Man (1996)
• Voila (2007)
• Wilder Shores (2017)

See also

In Spanish: Belinda Carlisle para niños

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the UK Singles Chart
• List of artists who reached number one in Ireland
• List of number-one singles of 1986 (Canada)