The Go-Gos

They have since decided to continue performing and recording together. Artists that have joined Harris on the road for these dates include Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Bruce Cockburn, Steve Earle, Joan Baez, Patty Griffin and Nanci Griffith. In 2001, they released an album of new material entitled "God Bless the Go-Go's". The tour also benefits the VVAF's work to raise America's awareness of the global landmine crisis. 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. All proceeds from the tours support the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation's (VVAF) efforts to assist innocent victims of conflicts around the world. Charlotte Caffey worked with Carlisle and then formed a band called the Graces for Perfect View (1990 in music). Since 1999, Harris has been organizing an annual benefit tour called Concerts for a Landmine Free World.

Belinda Carlisle had a successful solo career for most of the late 1980s, while Wiedlin did some recording and acting. In 2002, Harris joined many of the same artists on the road for the Down From The Mountain Tour. After the drug treatment, neither could continue with the band anymore; Jane Wiedlin had previously departed. A documentary/concert film was also released about the making of the soundtrack, which is entitled Down From The Mountain. In 1985, Caffey underwent treatment to rid herself of the heroin habit, and Carlisle followed suit. The same year she joined an all star group of traditional country, folk and blues artists for the T-Bone Burnett produced soundtrack to the Coen Brothers film, O Brother, Where Art Thou?. In 1983, a videotape surfaced showing Carlisle and Valentine at a post-gig party at which both were inebriated and uninhibited. In 2000, Harris guested on Alternative country singer Ryan Adams' solo debut Heartbreaker.

Around 1983, Carlisle had a $300-a-day cocaine habit, and Caffey had a heroin habit. Also, in 1998, Tara MacLean eventually recorded the cover of the Emmylou Harris christmas single Light of the Stable. Rumor has it that what did in the band was excessive hedonism and drug abuse. In 1998, Harris released Spyboy, backed with a new band which included Nashville producer and songwriter Buddy Miller. In 1985 (1985 in music) the band broke up. An experimental album for Harris to say the least, the record included Harris' rendition of the Neil Young penned title track, Julie Miller's "All My Tears", Jimi Hendrix's "May This Be Love" and Gillian Welch's "Orphan Girl." U2's Larry Mullen, Jr showed up to play drums for the project. 1984 saw a return to critical acceptance with the album Talk Show, but sales were poor. In 1995, Harris released Wrecking Ball, produced by Daniel Lanois, best known for his work with U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

The follow-up, however, Vacation, sold well but quickly ran out of momentum. They recorded a Grammy-winning live album at the Ryman Auditorium that led to the 8 million dollars restoration of the facility into a premium concert and event venue. "Our Lips Are Sealed" and a new version of "We Got the Beat" were extremely popular singles. In the early 1990s, she dissolved The Hot Band in favour of a carefully selected group of acoustic musicians she named The Nash Ramblers. 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, she recorded "That Lovin' You Feelin' Again" with rock legend Roy Orbison for which they would win the Grammy Award for best vocal duo. In 1980 (1980 in music), the Go-Gos' "We Got the Beat" became an underground hit. About ten years later, Harris would team up once again with Parton and Ronstadt for the album Trio.

They have had five top-40 hits. In the mid-1970s, Harris began to work on albums for other major artists including Young, Rondstadt and Bob Dylan. They played primarily pop punk and retro-1960s rock. A Christmas single, "Light of the Stable," was released shortly after which featured backing vocals from singers Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Neil Young. They formed in 1978 and first rose to fame in the ska punk community supporting Madness on tour. The album included a number of cover songs, including The Beatles' "For No One," and Harris's first hit single, The Louvin Brothers' "If I Could Only Win Your Love." She created The Hot Band, a groups of studio and touring musicians that included Elvis Presley band alumni Glen D. Hardin and James Burton. The Go-Go's are an all-women band. He produced her debut album, released in 1975 on Reprise Records, entitled Pieces of the Sky.

Jane Wiedlin, rhythm guitar and backup vocals. Eventually, her path crossed with Canadian producer and future husband Brian Ahern (with whom she had another daughter, Meghann). Kathy Valentine (replaced Margot Olaverra in 1980), bass guitar and rhythm guitar. Parsons was found dead in his hotel room on September 19, 1973, from an overdose of drugs including alcohol. Gina Schock, drums. Harris toured as a member of Parsons' "Fallen Angels" band, and in 1973, Harris returned to the studio with Parsons to record Grievous Angel. Belinda Carlisle (real name: Belinda Kurczeski), lead vocals. Instead, in 1972, Hillman ended up recommending her to Parsons, who was looking for a female vocalist to work with on his first solo album.

Charlotte Caffey, lead guitar and keyboards. Hillman was so impressed by Harris that he briefly considered asking her to join the band. One night, in 1971, members of the country group the Flying Burrito Brothers happened to be in the audience, including former Byrds member Chris Hillman, who took over the band after the departure of its founder Gram Parsons. Harris soon returned to performing, as part of a trio with local musicians Gerry Mule and Tom Guidera. Harris, who lived for a brief time on her own with her newborn daughter Hallie in Nashville, Tennessee, was forced, after struggling financially, to move back in with her parents, who were now living in Washington, D.C..

Around that same time, Harris' marriage to Slocum began to fall apart and the couple were soon divorced. After the album's release, Harris' record label declared bankruptcy. Harris married fellow songwriter Tom Slocum in 1969, and recorded her first album the following year, Gliding Bird. It was around that time that Harris began to study music seriously, heavily influenced by artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez.

Harris graduated high school as class valedictorian and won a dramatic scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is a country music singer, songwriter and musician from Birmingham, Alabama, USA. ISBN 067941567X. In The Country of Country: A Journey to the Roots of American Music, Nicholas Dawidoff, Vintage Books, 1998.