Anyone who knows The Go-Go's knows they got the beat.
But in the recent television documentary about them, fans also learn the true story of how they got it, lost it, and found it again. The film shows where The Go-Gos are today: making new music together for the first time in 20 something years.
We catch up with drummer, Gina Schock and listen, mesmerized as she tells her incredible story.
Gina Schock, born Regina Ann Schock in Baltimore, Maryland, is celebrated as the powerhouse drummer of The Go-Go's, one of the most influential all-female rock bands in history.
Raised in a working-class neighbourhood, Gina discovered her passion for drumming as a teenager, teaching herself the craft and dreaming of a life in music. Her ambition led her to move to Los Angeles in the late 1970s, where she joined The Go-Go’s in 1979, just as the band began making waves in the punk scene.
The Go-Go’s were pioneers, becoming the first all-women band to achieve mainstream success while writing their own music and playing their own instruments.
Gina’s hard-hitting, high-energy drumming became a key element of the band’s signature sound, driving hits like We Got the Beat, Vacation, and Our Lips Are Sealed. The band’s debut album, Beauty and the Beat (1981), topped the Billboard 200 for six weeks, establishing The Go-Go’s as trailblazers in both pop and rock music.
Despite their success, the band faced challenges, including grueling tours and internal tensions, leading to their initial breakup in 1985. During this time, Gina underwent heart surgery for a congenital defect, a personal challenge that underscored her resilience.
Post-Go-Go’s, she pursued songwriting and producing, contributing to projects for stars like Miley Cyrus (Breakout) and Selena Gomez. She also ventured into acting and photography, showcasing her multifaceted creativity.
The Go-Go’s reunited several times over the years, maintaining their legacy through tours, new music, and a Broadway musical, Head Over Heels, which featured their songs.
Their enduring influence was cemented when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, a milestone highlighting their groundbreaking achievements.
Beyond music, Gina is also known for her vivacious personality, humour, and advocacy for women in the arts. She remains an inspiring figure, balancing her love for music with personal passions like photography and sharing her life story to empower future generations of musicians.
Gina Schock joins us this week to provide an insight into her amazing world. If you'd like to know what songs she wrote, how she got her start, what life has been like for her over the years ... then you've come to the right place.
I'm certain you'll enjoy hearing Gina Schock tell her story.
