Jane Wiedlin

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Jane Wiedlin


Img_capt = Jane Wiedlin in Philadelphia (1988). Photo By Sam Cali.
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth_name = Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005553/bio Biography] from IMDb]
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1958|05|20 [http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608002237/The-Go-Go-s.html The Go-Go's Biography] from musicianguide.com]
Died =
Origin =
Instrument = Rhythm guitar
Voice_type =
Genre = Pop rock
Pop punk
Occupation = Musician
Years_active = 1978 [http://www.gogos.com/bio.htm Go-Go's Biography] from the Go-Go's website] -present
Label =
Associated_acts = The Go-Go's
URL = http://www.janewiedlin.com/

Jane Wiedlin (born May 20, 1958 in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, United States) is an American musician and actor. She is best known as the rhythm guitarist of the all-female multi-platinum New Wave band The Go-Go's in the 1980s.

Career

The Go-Go's

As Wiedlin describes it, she was around "pretty much from the beginning" [http://www.alicebag.com/janewiedlininterview.html Interview with: Jane Wiedlin] conducted by Alice Bag in September 2005, from Bag's website] of the Los Angeles punk scene. "Jane Drano"—as she came to be known then [A photo of Wiedlin taken by Alice Bag during her "Jane Drano" days is available on Flickr [http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicebag/205502814/ here] .] )—started out designing punk-style clothing sold at “Granny Takes a Trip”, a Sunset Boulevard store. She became part of a scene that spawned bands like X, The Germs and The Weirdos. She and Belinda Carlisle formed The Go-Go's as a punk band in 1978, with Margot Olaverra on bass, and Elissa Bello on drums.

Their pop punk sound didn't emerge until later, after Charlotte Caffey joined on lead guitar and keyboards, and Bello was replaced on drums by Gina Schock. After a 1980 tour in England, the band returned home, adding Kathy Valentine on bass and signing with IRS Records in April 1981. Wiedlin remained part of the Go-Go's until October 1984, when she left to pursue a solo career.

After a series of reunions during the 1990s, Wiedlin, Carlisle, Caffey, Schock, and Valentine re-formed the band again in 2000 to record "God Bless the Go-Go's", their first studio album in 17 years; the album, originally titled "Vision of Nowness", got its title and concept based on an idea from Wiedlin..

The Go-Go's continue to tour off-and-on.

olo career and other projects

In 1983, Wiedlin recorded "Cool Places" (#13 DANCE, #49 POP Billboard) with the new wave band Sparks. The song was released with a bright and charming video that found favor on early MTV. "Cool Places" and another duet, "Lucky Me, Lucky You" appeared on Sparks' album "In Outer Space".

After leaving the Go-Go's, Wiedlin released her first solo album, "Jane Wiedlin" (circa. 1985) on IRS Records. The album received generally positive reviews, but peaked only at #127 POP. Only one single was released, "Blue Kiss" (#30 Dance, #77 POP, Billboard).

Leaving IRS, Wiedlin signed to EMI and released "Fur" in 1988. The album charted at #105 (POP); wielding the hit single "Rush Hour", charting impressively at #9 (POP) in the US and #12 (POP) in the UK. The video was rotated heavily on the MTV network and featured Wiedlin swimming with dolphins. Another single, "Inside a Dream," followed in October (US #52, UK #64). A remixed version of the LP title track, "Fur" would later be released on the P.E.T.A. benefit album "Tame Yourself", along with her fellow Go-Go Belinda Carlisle (who covered the Carpentar's "Bless The Beast and the Children")

During the period of the first Go-Go's reunion in 1990, Wiedlin released "Tangled". In May of 1990 the single "World on Fire" was released with a semi-controversial video. The single surprising failed to chart. The title track, "Tangled" appeared on the multi-platinum soundtrack for the film "Pretty Woman". Many in the industry wondered why it was never released as a single despite the heavy radio rotation. Due to the dismal sales of "Tangled", Wiedlin was soon dropped from EMI roster. [EMI executive at Go-Go's concert Universal Amphitheater 1990 who wished to remain anonymous] In late 1993, EMI compiled her singles and standout tracks from all of her previous solo efforts and issued "The Very Best of Jane Wiedlin (... From Cool Places to World's on Fire)".

After the 1994-5 Go-Go's reunion, Wiedlin returned to her punk roots fronting the band froSTed. Their first and only album was recorded for Geffen Records. The new sound recordings received mixed reviews.

The ever resilient Wiedlin released the critically acclaimed album "Kissproof World" (2000) on her own Painful Discs label. The album featured Matthew Sweet and photos of the soon to be famous Dita Von Teese. Wiedlin herself was seen topless inside the CD liner notes. The album received a glowing review from Rolling Stone Magazine.

Currenty, Wiedlin is working with a new backing band in Madison, WI. They are performing under the name Lady Robotica and features the full lineup of the Madison band, Whore Du Jour. Wiedlin is also producing both of the upcoming Lady Robotica and Whore Du Jour albums.

Acting career

Wiedlin has also acted in movies and provided the voice for several characters on TV and the big screen, including a one-liner role in "". Her other roles include Joan of Arc (with no spoken lines in English) in the time travel comedy "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" and an ill-fated singing telegram girl in the cult comedy/mystery film "Clue".

In a "St. Petersburg Times" online interview, Jane said this about her acting career in the 80s: "It turned out to be much harder than it looks, and as much as I enjoyed those experiences, I don't think I'm very good at it." [http://blogs.tampabay.com/80s/2008/02/the-beat-goes-o.html The beat goes on for the Go-Go's] , a February 2008 interview with the "Stuck in the '80s" blog on the "St. Petersburg Times" website]

In 2000, she sang in the choir on the "Frasier" episode "They're Playing Our Song." In 2001, she had a regular role in MTV's "Spyder Games", playing the "ex-rock chick who runs the local coffee house" where everyone hangs out. [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5921375/jane_wiedlin_goes_solo_and_gogo/print Jane Wiedlin Goes Solo and Go-Go] from a November 2000 article in "Rolling Stone"]

She appeared as herself on the fourth season of VH1's "The Surreal Life" in 2005, wherein she talked about her interest in BDSM. [Wiedlin reveals (and demonstrates) her BDSM predilections in the "Surreal Life" episode "I'm With Cupid". First aired February 20, 2005. Prod Code: SL406.]

Wiedlin also appeared as the bus station lady wearing a neck brace in Steve Balderson's 2005 surrealist crime drama "Firecracker", a film Roger Ebert named on his list of the year's best films. [ [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051218/COMMENTARY/512180302 Ebert's Best 10 Movies of 2005: Special Jury Awards] from Roger Ebert's website]

Wiedlin has done voice acting work, such as appearances on the animated program "Mission Hill" as Gwen, Andy's girlfriend.

olo discography

Other releases

*"Pretty Woman" soundtrack — 1990
*"The Very Best of Jane Wiedlin" — 1993 (EMI Records)
*"Cold" — 1996 (Geffen Records) - as froSTed

ingles

Personal life

Wiedlin is a long-time animal rights activist, and has worked with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals since at least 1989 when she performed as part of a "Rock Against Fur" concert in New York City. [ [http://www.peta.org.uk/about/milestones.asp Milestones: 1989] from the PETA UK website] She is friends with PETA's Dan Mathews.

Wiedlin had what she called a "short but dramatic romance" with Terry Hall of the Specials during their 1980 tour in England; Hall later sent her some lyrics prompted by their relationship, inspiring Wiedlin to write "Our Lips Are Sealed", a song on which Hall has co-writer credits.

In 2005 and 2006, Wiedlin supported the fight against breast cancer by promoting and participating in "Bowling for Boobies", a fund-raising event. For 2006, Wiedlin auctioned off three positions on her team on eBay, allowing fans to bid online for a chance to participate on her team. [ [http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/8/prweb431003.htm Bowl with Go-Go's Jane Wiedlin for Breast Cancer Charity “Bowling For Boobies” 2006] , a 2006 press release at prweb.com] Wiedlin calls herself a tightlacing fan and told one tightlacing website that she has been part of the fetish scene since 1996. [ [http://www.staylace.com/pinups/jane/index.html Singer Jane Wiedlin] from the website of the Long Island Staylace Association] When "Rolling Stone" asked in 2000 about "those Jane Weidlin S&M Dominatrix stories that came out over the summer", Wiedlin was less straightforward::Well, it all kind of happened around the same time, which is kind of why that story came out. I mean that story was just a joke I was having with my friend Dan Mathews. He writes this comedy column for a gay magazine, and I gave him this funny story about, "Yeah, I just got off my dominatrix gig." So he prints it, and then, because he's also the head guy at PETA, he decides to use it for his PETA campaign — "You can be a dominatrix without using leather!" And the whole thing just got absolutely out of hand. But, if people want to believe I'm a dominatrix in my spare time, that's fine with me — I mean, I'm definitely happy to smack people around if that's what they really want " [laughs] ".

Wiedlin currently spends half of her time living in Madison, WI with her dogs Peanut and Jeordie, and the other half working in Los Angeles.

References

External links

*MySpace|wiedlinjane
*imdb name|0005553