The Four Aces

The group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001. They have since decided to continue performing and recording together. In 1975 a court awarded Diodati the right to the name in a court suit in which the original members tried to establish their right. In 2001, they released an album of new material entitled "God Bless the Go-Go's". Eventually the group broke up, but Diodati still has a group which he calls the Four Aces, though it contains none of the original members. In 1990, Wiedlin organized a reunion that began with a benefit for PETA, and again in 1994, when they released Return of the Valley of the Go-Go's. He was replaced as lead singer by Fred Diodati, who had attended South Philadelphia High School a few years after Alberts. Charlotte Caffey worked with Carlisle and then formed a band called the Graces for Perfect View (1990 in music).

Alberts, however, left the group in 1956 to try to make it as a soloist, but never made the charts. Belinda Carlisle had a successful solo career for most of the late 1980s, while Wiedlin did some recording and acting. They played locally in the Philadelphia area, and Alberts started his own record label, Victoria Records, when they could not find a distributor to release their first record, (It's No) Sin. It sold a million copies, and Decca Records soon signed the group, billing them as The Four Aces featuring Al Alberts.. After the drug treatment, neither could continue with the band anymore; Jane Wiedlin had previously departed. Originally, Alberts sang with Mahoney playing behind him, and later they added Vaccaro on trumpet and Silvestri on drums. In 1985, Caffey underwent treatment to rid herself of the heroin habit, and Carlisle followed suit. Alberts went to South Philadelphia High School, Temple University, and the United States Navy, where he met Mahoney. In 1983, a videotape surfaced showing Carlisle and Valentine at a post-gig party at which both were inebriated and uninhibited.

The original members were Al Alberts (originally Albertini), Dave Mahoney, Lou Silvestri, and Rosario "Sol" Vaccaro. They all came from Chester, Pennsylvania. Around 1983, Carlisle had a $300-a-day cocaine habit, and Caffey had a heroin habit. The Four Aces were a pop singing group. Rumor has it that what did in the band was excessive hedonism and drug abuse. In 1985 (1985 in music) the band broke up. 1984 saw a return to critical acceptance with the album Talk Show, but sales were poor.

The follow-up, however, Vacation, sold well but quickly ran out of momentum. "Our Lips Are Sealed" and a new version of "We Got the Beat" were extremely popular singles. After exchanging Olaverra for Kathy Valentine (the band's sound was turning from punk to pop, and Olaverra's punk persona was becoming a pop liability), the Go-Go's signed to IRS Records and released Beauty and the Beat, which was a surprise hit and topped the charts for six weeks. In 1980 (1980 in music), the Go-Gos' "We Got the Beat" became an underground hit.

They have had five top-40 hits. They played primarily pop punk and retro-1960s rock. They formed in 1978 and first rose to fame in the ska punk community supporting Madness on tour. The Go-Go's are an all-women band.

Jane Wiedlin, rhythm guitar and backup vocals. Kathy Valentine (replaced Margot Olaverra in 1980), bass guitar and rhythm guitar. Gina Schock, drums. Belinda Carlisle (real name: Belinda Kurczeski), lead vocals.

Charlotte Caffey, lead guitar and keyboards.