While at Hollywood’s Newbury Park High School she became a cheerleader and began to transform herself into a glamorous young woman. In 1976, once she had graduated from high school Belinda left home with the sole intention of becoming a star.By 1977 Belinda had become firmly ensconced in the LA punk scene and it was while she was chasing after Freddie Mercury’s autograph that she was spotted and signed up with The Germs. The next two years saw Belinda’s band the Go-Go’s touring in the UK with punk band, Madness as they made the transition from punk to new-wave.

While with the Go-Go’s Belinda fell prey to drug and alcohol abuse and spent time in rehab until while on a blind date she met Morgan Mason, son of actor James Mason, who was at that time an advisor to President Ronald Reagan. Almost instantly Belinda and Morgan moved in together. At this time the Go-Go’s disbanded and Belinda was made to feel guilty for the breakup.In 1985 Morgan and Belinda married and the year was topped off with her being signed to IRS Records at the start of her solo career. Her first album as a solo artist was well received and went Gold in the USA. In 1987 Belinda was signed with Richard Branson’s Virgin Records in the UK where her career was ultimately most successful.

In April 1992 Belinda and Morgan had their first child, a boy, James Duke, whom she named in recognition of her reconciliation with her stepfather.During her solo career Belinda twice had her tracks featured as movie soundtracks, firstly the opening soundtrack to ‘Mannequin’ which starred Kim Cattrall and in the Whoopi Goldberg movie ‘Burglar’ where the track used was ‘Dancing in the City’.

Belinda’s only number one hit to date is “Heaven is a Place on Earth’ which was taken from her solo album, ’Heaven on Earth’ and accompanied her video which was directed by actress Diane Keaton. Her solo career saw her performing with Michelle Philips of ‘The Mamas and the Papas’ and Brian Wilson of ‘The Beach Boys’. On her album ‘Leave a light on’ Belinda employed the talents of George Harrison, formerly of The Beatles.

In later years Belinda began showing an interest in the writings of the Dalai Lama, and slowly embraced Buddhism. Since becoming a follower of Buddhism Belinda has refrained from smoking, drinking and drugs.

In August 2001, at the age of 42, Belinda posed naked for Hugh Hefner’s Playboy magazine, at the same time the Go-Go’s reformed and released their album, ‘God Bless the Go-Go’s’. Carlisle stated that the Playboy pictorial was very lucrative.

Belinda Carlisle made a string of TV appearances in 2006, having signed to appear on the Simon Cowell-produced ‘Celebrity Duets' show with singers like Carlisle, Michael Bolton, Jon Secada and Macy Gray.In 2007 Belinda Carlisle released her 7th album ‘Voila’. This was her first full-length album in over ten years.

ABB