This is an authorized biography of THE BANGLES by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike. Unfortunately, Micki (bassist) did not participate in the development with the author (which I didn't realize until I read a few reviews, bummer).
This memoir was a muddled, repetitive, and monotonous mess. As an audiobook, it didn't work at all, and it may be better as a physical or digital book. But, I wouldn't count on it.
Full disclosure, I saw THE BANGLES at the now-defunct Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre as the opener for THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS in 1984. This was after their first corporate record came out. Remember, Nancy?
OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars
Writing: 3.0 stars
The writing was stilted, repetitive, and uninteresting. Even the few juicy tidbits didn't make up for the bad writing!
This was not the right person to write this book. So many qualified writers could have done a better job.
Narration: 3.0 stars
The narration was by the author and was horrible. She tried to add sighs, groans, and the appropriate responses, which sounded silly. It was not her story to narrate.
Character development: 3.5 stars
The main characters are the band members, both current and former.
The secondary characters are the parents, record label, producers, and managers.
The tertiary characters are the fans - the good, bad, and the ugly.
There is a huge cast of characters, and so many names that it was hard to remember who was who.
Memorable: 4.0 stars
What was most interesting to me was that "The Girls" (as the band refers to themselves per the memoir) played their own instruments well, wrote many of their songs, harmonized well, and were from Los Angeles.
The ganging up on one another, whining, and not speaking up to resolve issues was sad. They broke up before their legacy could be fully established.
Entertaining/Educational: 4.0 stars
This book made me reminisce about the 1980s, as I was close in age to them. Many of the locations, clubs, and local places mentioned are very familiar to me as a native Angeleno. Also, I had similar hair, totally!
But if you are looking for gossip, this isn't the book for you. Other than the "Prince connection" and the band's infighting, THE BANGLES were solid.
Book cover: 4.0 stars
Okay.
Book title: 4.0 stars
Weird, as The Girls didn't like this song!
Recommend
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow: audiobook
11 hours, 58 minutes
Da Capo Press
Release date: 2/18/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL)
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Cursing, family dysfunction, sexism, misogyny, bullying
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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