Eternal Flame - by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The authorized biography of the quintessential '80s pop band The Bangles, who scored massive hits with "Manic Monday," Walk Like an Egyptian," "Hazy Shade of Winter," and more From their first meeting in 1981, the Bangles were ambitious, focused, and intentional; their hard-work and determination resulted in millions of records sold across the globe, before becoming the first all-girl band to have five "Top 10" hits. Not long after coming together, they toured the world, released #1 records, and collaborated with the biggest artists of the day. They seemed unstoppable--until tensions within the band, artistic differences, and the pressures of sudden celebrity tore them apart less than a decade later.

ETERNAL FLAME is the story of those eight years: of a diverse and vibrant Los Angeles music scene, unfettered work ethics and self-belief, the dawn of MTV, the unpredictable consequences of fame, life as a touring band, and their rapid rise to global domination--then imploding at the height of success. But it's also a story of the very real challenges faced by women attempting to follow their artistic dreams in a media and music industry ecosystem which seemed set up for their failure from the start.

With unprecedented access to founding members Debbi Peterson, Susanna Hoffs, and Vicki Peterson, ETERNAL FLAME is the first authorized biography of this iconic group, featuring exclusive stories, input, and interviews from the pioneering band members themselves as well as those that knew them best. From playing the club circuit in 1980s' LA to bunking with Sting during a PR trip to the UK to topping the Billboard charts, to interludes with Prince and appearances on the definitive MTV, ETERNAL FLAME traces the band's rise to superstardom, taking readers behind-the-scenes and sharing with them never-before-shared anecdotes and personal ephemera.

As Debbi herself notes, "I think it's about time that our true story was told. People only see certain aspects of the Bangles, especially as the media has twisted the past and we have been misrepresented for a long time. Plus, certainly in the eighties, we were women making it in a man's world. I think that needs to be celebrated."

Dynamic, daring, and deliciously entertaining from start to finish, ETERNAL FLAME is a tribute to one of the greatest pop bands of the 20th century--and a long-overdue corrective that restores The Bangles to their rightful place in music history as feminist trailblazers.

Review Quotes

"In Eternal Flame noted biographer Jennifer Bickerdike recounts the story of the Bangles' success with such flair and sympathetic wit one might think she was their fifth member. From the crummiest gigs in a seedy Hollywood to their appearing onstage at the Hollywood Bowl after years of struggle, it is all here in black & white: the nightmares, the laughter, the tears, the fans' adulation. You can almost feel the warmth of the spotlight at times."--Sid Griffin of The Long Ryders, author of Shelter from the Storm and Million Dollar Bash

"Jennifer Otter Bickerdike's new biography is equal parts inspiring and chilling. As she dives into the history of the Bangles, it is breathtaking to learn in depth about the challenges the foursome faced, yet incredible to see how they overcame everything thrown at them to become world-wide icons. Eternal Flame is well-written and provides so much food for thought as to the realities, then and now, of what it means to be female in the entertainment industry."--Ione Skye, actor and author of Say Everything

"Make no mistake. The Bangles were the most proficient, professional, and driven of all the bands in our little Paisley Underground scene. This insightful book tells how they got there and what happened when those qualities began to hit paydirt, draw all the right and wrong attention, and the inevitable success and perils that followed. At times a rough ride and cautionary tale, but the good hearts of the protagonists always shine through."--Steve Wynn, The Dream Syndicate

"No one can deny the considerable talent of the Bangles, but that's not the real story here. Rather, it is this book's portrayal of the band's brave persistence in the face of (and ultimate triumph over) the naysaying male-dominated rock world that makes it a riveting must-read."--Milo Aukerman of Descendents

"The contributions of women are far too often buried beneath the patriarchal narrative that dominates cultural history, so the rarity of The Bangles' accomplishments contributes to making their story so important to tell. They made their mark as vanguards in the vast landscape that is pop music and this is their lurid tale, in their own words, from their multiple perspectives, aided and abetted by the perennially incisive Jennifer Otter Bickerdike."--Shirley Manson of Garbage

"This book rings true to the reality we faced as women daring to dream beyond what we were shown was possible. It also captures the visceral grittiness and simultaneous community of the 1980s Los Angeles scene with aplomb, the complications of fame, and the inherent misogyny often tainting the music business hierarchy."--Jane Wiedlin of The Go Go's

About the Author

Dr. Jennifer Otter Bickerdike is a rock & roll cultural historian and author, working across music heritage, fandom, broadcast and academia. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, she has appeared in over 50 documentaries about pop culture and is the author of a number of books on music, including YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND YOU ARE ALONE, BEING BRITNEY, and WHY VINYL MATTERS, among others. Bickerdike lives in Devon, UK with her husband and rescue dog, Woody.