The all-female band known for “We Got the Beat” that entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 was The Go-Go’s.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1978, The Go-Go’s emerged from the city’s punk scene before developing a bright, sharply written blend of punk energy, new wave and pop. The classic lineup included Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock and Kathy Valentine. Their success helped challenge the industry’s assumption that women could not write, play and headline as a self-contained rock band.
“We Got the Beat” first appeared as a single in 1980 and became a major hit after a later release. Their 1981 debut album, Beauty and the Beat, reached No. 1 in the United States. The Runaways were an earlier hard-rock group, L7 became associated with alternative metal and grunge, and The Bangles were a separate Los Angeles band. The Go-Go’s were inducted in the performer category in 2021.