[All photo credits to Gina Schock]
Gina Schock, the drummer of the Go-Go’s has created a coffee table book of personal photos and essays from band members arriving as Made In Hollywood: All Access with the Go-Go’s on October 26th. It’s described as a “photographic journey” from Schock’s point of view.
Schock comments on the genesis of the book:
“I truly had no idea that I was to become the Go-Go’s archivist. I’ve always loved photography, so taking photos of the band was a natural process. When you check out this book, I hope you feel like you were right there with me over the last forty years. From Baltimore to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, what a trip this has been. I am thrilled to finally share my personal collection with everyone.”
The photo book features a foreword by Go-Go’s bass player Kathy Valentine and essays by band members include Belinda Carlisle’s commentary:
“None of us had any money. I would cash my checks and put all my money in a Barbie thermos…While we were performing, I never left the Barbie thermos in the dressing room. I would bring it onstage with me and put it in Gina’s kick drum…I wouldn’t let it out of my sight because all the money I had in the world was in there, and it was usually around a hundred dollars…At the end of the night, everybody went home with whomever. I always went home with Barbie.”
The Go-Go’s have sold over 7 million records worldwide and have the distinction of being the only all-female band to write their own songs and play their own instruments on a No. 1 album. This October the quintet will celebrate their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Tina Turner, Carole King, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters and Todd Rundgren on October 30th. They will be continuing the celebration with a handful of west coast shows in December and January.