Susanna Hoffs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Susanna Hoffs
Hoffs performing in 2006
Born	Susanna Lee Hoffs (1959-01-17) January 17, 1959 (age 66) Los Angeles, California
Alma mater	University of California, Berkeley (BA)
Occupation	Singer musician songwriter actress author
Years active	1978–present
Known for	"Manic Monday" "Eternal Flame" "My Side of the Bed" "Walking Down Your Street" "In Your Room" "If She Knew What She Wants"
Spouse(s)	Jay Roach ​ (m. 1993)​
Children	2
Parent(s)	Tamar Simon Hoffs Joshua Allen Hoffs
Musical career
Genres	Rock pop
Instruments	Vocals guitar

Susanna Lee Hoffs (born January 17, 1959) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. She is also an actress and author. Susanna is best known as a founding member of the famous band the Bangles.

The Bangles started in 1981 with Susanna, Debbi Peterson, and Vicki Peterson. Their first album, All Over the Place (1984), was liked by critics. Their second album, Different Light (1986), became very popular. It sold millions of copies. This album included the hit songs "Manic Monday" and "Walk Like an Egyptian". "Walk Like an Egyptian" was a number one hit in the US.

The band's third album, Everything (1988), featured more big hits. These included "In Your Room" and "Eternal Flame". Susanna helped write both of these number one songs. She was often seen as the main face of the Bangles. This was because she sang lead on many of their popular songs.

The Bangles broke up in 1989 due to touring stress and other issues. However, they reunited in 1999. They later released new albums like Doll Revolution (2003) and Sweetheart of the Sun (2011).

Susanna also has a solo career. Her first solo album, When You're a Boy, came out in 1991. She released another album, Susanna Hoffs, in 1996. She also formed a band called Ming Tea with Mike Myers. Later, she teamed up with Matthew Sweet to release a series of cover song albums called Under the Covers. Her most recent solo albums include Someday (2012), Bright Lights (2021), and The Deep End (2023).

In 2023, Susanna published her first novel, This Bird Has Flown. It's a romantic comedy about a musician. The book received good reviews. A movie version of the novel is also being planned.

Early Life and Music Journey

Susanna Hoffs was born in Los Angeles, California, on January 17, 1959. Her mother, Tamar Simon Hoffs, is a film director. Her father, Joshua Allen Hoffs, is a psychoanalyst. Susanna's mother played Beatles music for her when she was young. Susanna started playing the guitar as a teenager.

She went to Palisades High School and graduated in 1976. In 1978, she acted in the film Stony Island. In 1980, Susanna earned a degree in art from the University of California, Berkeley. While in college, she became interested in punk rock music. This inspired her to become a musician in a band.

The Bangles: Band History

Starting the Band and Early Days

The Bangles in 1984. From left: Debbi Peterson, Vicki Peterson, Susanna Hoffs and Michael Steele.

Susanna Hoffs met the Peterson sisters, Vicki and Debbi, to form a band. They started playing music in Susanna's parents' garage. The garage was set up as an apartment for Susanna.

The band first called themselves the Colours. Then they changed it to the Supersonic Bangs. Finally, they settled on the name the Bangs. Susanna said they liked the name because it had a "gutsy" feel. Annette Zilinskas joined as the bass player. Susanna played rhythm guitar, Vicki played lead guitar, and Debbi played drums. The band was influenced by groups like the Beatles and the Beach Boys. All members shared lead vocals. Their first public show was at Laird International Studios. They released their first song, "Getting Out of Hand," in 1981.

A music producer named Miles Copeland saw the Bangs play. He signed them to his record label. In 1982, the band changed their name again to the Bangles because another group was already called the Bangs. Their first EP (a short album) was released that year. In 1983, they signed with Columbia Records. Annette Zilinskas left the band and Michael Steele joined as the new bass player.

Becoming Famous and Top Hits

The Bangles released their first full album, All Over the Place, in 1984. It was praised by critics. Their big break came with the 1986 single "Manic Monday". This song was written by the famous musician Prince. It reached number two on the charts in the US and other countries.

"Manic Monday" was on their album Different Light (1986). This album was very popular. It sold millions of copies. Another song from the album, "Walk Like an Egyptian", became a number one hit in the US in 1986. It also topped the charts in many other countries. Susanna met Prince in 1984, and they often talked. He even joined the band on stage sometimes.

In the music video for "Walk Like an Egyptian," Susanna's eye movements became famous. She said she was just looking at people in the crowd to help with stage fright. But it looked cool and became a memorable part of the video.

The Bangles had another hit with their cover of "A Hazy Shade of Winter" in 1987. It reached number two in the US. Their third album, Everything, came out in 1988. It included the top ten hit "In Your Room". The album also featured their second US number one song, "Eternal Flame". Susanna helped write both of these songs.

Hoffs performing as part of the Bangles at the NAMM Show in 2015. The group was presented with an Icon Award at the show, 30 years after their debut album.

Susanna sang lead on most of the Bangles' hit singles. This made many people see her as the main singer. Even though all four members shared vocals, Susanna was often featured more in photos because she was shorter. She also acted in a film called The Allnighter in 1987.

Band Breakup and Reunion

In 1989, the Bangles decided to take a break. They wanted to work on their own projects. There had been some disagreements within the band. The stress of touring also played a role in their decision to split up.

In the late 1990s, Susanna reached out to the other band members. She wanted to reunite the Bangles. She wanted to create new music, not just play old hits. The band agreed to get back together. They played at a Beatles tribute concert. They also recorded a song for the Austin Powers movie in 1999. In 2000, they officially announced their full-time reunion.

After reuniting, the Bangles released their fourth album, Doll Revolution, in 2003. It received good reviews. Their fifth album, Sweetheart of the Sun, came out in 2011.

Susanna's Solo Music Career

Susanna Hoffs sang on songs for other artists before her solo albums. In 1984, she sang on two songs for the band Rainy Day.

In 1987, Susanna starred in the comedy film The Allnighter. Her mother directed the movie. Critics didn't like the film much.

In 1991, Susanna released her first solo album after the Bangles, When You're a Boy. It included the song "My Side of the Bed", which was a top 40 hit in the US. The album also featured a cover of David Bowie's "Boys Keep Swinging". This album didn't become as popular as the Bangles' music.

Her second solo album, Susanna Hoffs, was released in 1996. Critics praised it for its catchy pop songs. One song, "All I Want," reached number 77 in the US.

Susanna has also recorded songs for movie soundtracks. She sang "We Close Our Eyes" for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie in 1992. She also covered Burt Bacharach songs for the Austin Powers films.

In 2012, Susanna released her third solo album of new songs, Someday. It was influenced by 1960s music. Critics liked the album, saying it showed Susanna's talent for sunny, cheerful songs. She also sang on "One Voice" for the film A Dog Named Gucci in 2016.

Hoffs at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 23, 2023

Her fourth album, Bright Lights, came out in 2021. It featured covers of songs by various artists. Her voice was praised for being "fantastic" on the album. Her fifth solo album, The Deep End, was released in 2023. It included her unique versions of songs by other bands. Critics said her voice was still "clear and sweet" after many years.

Susanna has also written songs for other artists like the Go-Go's and Belinda Carlisle. She has sung on albums by Rufus Wainwright and Travis. In 1992, she won an award for Best Female Rock Vocalist.

In 2023, Susanna's first novel, This Bird Has Flown, was published. It's a romantic comedy about a musician. The book received positive reviews from many sources. Universal Pictures bought the rights to turn it into a movie. In 2024, she released "The Lost Record," an album she recorded in 1999.

Other Music Projects

Ming Tea Band

Susanna Hoffs, Mike Myers, and musician Matthew Sweet formed a fun, fake British band called Ming Tea. They started the band after Mike Myers left Saturday Night Live. They all used funny stage names. They played live shows in Los Angeles.

Mike Myers' wife encouraged him to make a movie based on his character, Austin Powers. This led to the film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, directed by Susanna's husband, Jay Roach. Ming Tea appeared in all three Austin Powers movies. They also recorded songs for the movie soundtracks, like "BBC" and "Daddy Wasn't There."

Working with Matthew Sweet

Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet, calling themselves "Sid and Susie," recorded several albums of cover songs. Their first album, Under the Covers, Vol. 1 (2006), featured classic rock songs from the 1960s. They released Under the Covers, Vol. 2 in 2009, with songs from the 1970s. Under the Covers, Vol. 3 came out in 2013, covering songs from the 1980s.

Singing with Travis

Susanna was a guest singer on the band Travis's song "The Only Thing" in 2020. This song was on their album 10 Songs.

Musical Instruments

Hoffs practicing backstage in 2008. She has often used Rickenbacker guitars.

Susanna learned to play electric guitar on a Gibson SG. She later switched to a Rickenbacker guitar because she liked its bright sound. She bought a 1960s Rickenbacker and used it on early Bangles recordings. This type of guitar was also famously used by John Lennon.

She used a Rickenbacker 325 for some recordings, but found it hard to tune. So, it became more of a "video guitar." For a while, she mainly used a borrowed Fender Telecaster. She also played a Fender Stratocaster and other Rickenbacker models. Susanna even helped design her own Susanna Hoffs model of the Rickenbacker 350 guitar in the late 1980s.

After the Bangles, Susanna played a Taylor K22 guitar. She later worked with Taylor to create her own Signature Series of guitars. She also owns a 1966 12-string Guild Starfire guitar. She says it has an "incredible bright-but-warm sound."

Personal Life

Susanna Hoffs married filmmaker Jay Roach in 1993. They have two sons, born in 1995 and 1998. Jay Roach converted to Judaism when they got married. Susanna has said that Jay was the "right partner" for her.

Legacy and Impact

The Bangles are known as one of the most successful all-female rock bands. Like other bands such as the Go-Go's, the Bangles wrote their own songs and played their own instruments. This was different from many popular female artists in the 1980s who were mainly vocalists. The success of bands like the Go-Go's and the Bangles helped open doors for other female rock groups.

The Bangles were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000. They were also honored with the Icon Award at the 2015 She Rocks Awards.

Discography

Albums

EPs

Singles

Other Appearances

Film and TV Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Susanna Hoffs para niños