The rock star who was almost a footnote in her own band
In short: Kathy Valentine joined the Go-Go's as a last-minute substitute, learning their entire set in just four days. Yet, she would go on to co-write their biggest hits, navigate a high-profile legal battle over her share of the group's fame, and eventually reclaim her seat in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Valentine's entry into the Go-Go's was a matter of necessity. In 1980, the band needed a replacement for bassist Margot Olavarria. Valentine, who had not played the instrument extensively, stepped in on New Year's Eve at the Whisky a Go Go. She mastered the repertoire in four days and was quickly asked to remain a permanent member. Despite this 'substitute' origin, she became a primary creative force, co-writing the hit "Head over Heels" and reworking her earlier Textones material, such as "Vacation," for the band's second album.
Her career has been defined by a tension between her identity as a Go-Go and her desire for independent creative autonomy. After the band's 1985 breakup, she explored various projects, including the blues-based BlueBonnets and the Delphines. She even released a solo album, Light Years, in 2005, featuring collaborators like Ace Frehley and Lenny Kravitz. This drive for independence eventually led to a 2013 lawsuit against her former bandmates, where she alleged a breach of fiduciary duty and an attempt to deprive her of her 20% share of the group's reputation and revenue. The suit was settled out of court in early 2014.
Valentine eventually reconciled with the Go-Go's, rejoining them in 2018 following the debut of a Broadway musical featuring her songs. Beyond her musical output, she has pursued academic and creative goals, earning an inter-disciplinary degree in English and Fine Arts and publishing a memoir, All I Ever Wanted, in 2020.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Kathy Valentine
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