TAKE TWO: BELINDA CARLISLE

Belinda Carlisle was the lead vocalist for the all-female, new-wave-rock group, The Go-Go's who burned brightly immediately after the release of their debut, "Beauty and the Beat" in 1981 before self-extinguishing shortly after their third 1984 album, "Talk Show". But the L.A. born and raised singer went on to have even wider acclaim as a solo artist with several charting pop singles that made a phenomenal impact worldwide.

During her time with the band, Carlisle was suffering from drug addiction and an eating disorder which was just one factor to the initial demise of The Go-Go's in 1985. After completing a rehab stint, she decided to continue her career in music as a solo performer. With former Go-Go's member, Charlotte Caffey on board to help contribute to the project, Carlisle's debut, "Belinda" was released in 1986. The collection featured a sunny 60's California vibe and was an immediate hit with the first single, "Mad About You".

Carlisle's follow-up, "Heaven On Earth" in 1987 featured a slicker power-pop sound and would become the biggest success of her career.  With the number one U.S. hit, "Heaven Is a Place On Earth", the Diane Warren penned, "I Get Weak" and "Circle In The Sand" reaching the top-ten in several countries, the album went on to sell over four million copies.

"Runaway Horses", Carlisle's 1989 third album, was more modestly received compared to her previous release and the record did best internationally with "Leave a Light On", "Summer Rain" and the title track becoming top-forty singles throughout Europe.

In 1990, Carlisle and The Go-Go's reunited to tour to promote their greatest hits record while Carlisle released her fourth solo album, "Live Your Life Be Free"  the following year. The record was another moderate success in Europe yet failed to chart in the U.S. Carlisle released a few more albums, including a set of French-language songs, "Voila" in 2007 and her last record-to-date, "Wilder Shores", a 2017 collection of Sikh chants, but none have reached the heights of her previous pop success.

The now sixty year old singer finally became completely sober in 2005 and began to practice Nichiren Buddhism, vegetarianism and yoga. She had continued to go on the road with The Go-Go's over the years and the group made their apparent final tour together in 2016. Carlisle has been married to film producer, Morgan Mason (son of actor, James Mason) since 1986 and they have a son, James Duke. Here are a couple of my favorite songs from this iconic pop vocalist: