Guitarist in large band faced resistance for embracing pop music

In a recent interview, Vicki Peterson, a guitarist in the popular ‘80s power-pop band The Bangles, reflected on the band’s biggest hit, Eternal Flame, expressing her initial reservations about its pop sound. Despite being a rebel determined to maintain the band’s rock roots, Peterson had doubts about the overtly pop nature of the track. She recounted her mindset, saying, “I was a freakin’ rebel. I was determined to make The Bangles the rock band that we started out as. And I knew that to do something so blatantly pop … there was a resistance [on my part].”

The Bangles, consisting of Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson, Debbi Peterson, and Michael Steele, enjoyed immense success during the ‘80s but eventually disbanded shortly after the release of Eternal Flame. The song, featured on their 1988 album, Everything, marked a departure from their earlier power-pop/rock style and was brought to the table by Hoffs, who collaborated with renowned songwriters Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg on the track. Despite the label’s positive reception, Peterson remained skeptical about the song’s direction.

While Peterson now recognizes the quality of Eternal Flame, lingering disagreements over the band’s musical trajectory were one of the contributing factors to their eventual break-up. A new authorized biography, entitled Eternal Flame, delves into the band’s history and suggests that issues surrounding Hoffs’ perceived rise to prominence within the group might have also played a role in their disbandment. There were speculations that Prince’s offer of the song Manic Monday to the band after seeing Hoffs in their music videos caused a shift in media focus towards her, potentially causing friction within the group.

Furthermore, the biography hinted at tensions within the band, with suggestions that Hoffs’ ambitions for a solo career, the band’s evolving musical style, and the subtle dynamics of jealousy and competition within the group might have strained their cohesion. Despite these challenges, Hoffs dismisses any characterization of her as more ambitious than the rest of the band, attributing the tensions to normal interpersonal struggles that arise within any group dynamic.

Debbi Peterson added her perspective on the band’s internal dynamics, stating that unresolved conflicts and lack of communication were prevalent within the group. She humorously remarked that if they were a boy band, physical altercations would have been more common, but their conflicts often remained unaddressed. Peterson recalled an incident where Michael Steele, the band’s bassist, threw a chair in frustration during a heated moment, highlighting the underlying tensions that persisted within the group.

In retrospect, the story of The Bangles serves as a reminder of the complex interpersonal dynamics that can influence the success and longevity of musical groups. Despite achieving immense popularity and critical acclaim, internal conflicts, evolving musical directions, and shifts in individual ambitions can all contribute to the eventual disbandment of a musical ensemble, leaving behind a legacy that continues to captivate audiences to this day.