Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Kathy Valentine was born on January 7, 1959, in Austin, Texas. Raised primarily by her single mother, Valentine had an unconventional upbringing that exposed her to music early. A pivotal moment came during a trip to England at age 16 when she saw the all-female rock band Girlschool perform. This experience inspired Valentine to pursue music seriously, showing her that women could rock just as hard as men. Upon returning to Austin, Valentine immersed herself in the city’s vibrant music scene, learning guitar and playing in various bands. She later moved to Los Angeles to further her musical career, joining the punk band the Textones, where she began to develop her songwriting skills.
Joining The Go-Go’s
Valentine’s life changed dramatically when she was recruited to join The Go-Go’s in late 1980. The band had already formed and was gaining traction, but needed a bassist after their original bass player departed. Despite being primarily a guitarist, Valentine learned the band’s entire repertoire on bass in just four days before her first show with them on New Year’s Eve 1980. Her addition completed what would become the classic Go-Go’s lineup with Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock, and Jane Wiedlin. Just months later, the band would release their debut album “Beauty and the Beat,” which made history by becoming the first album by an all-female band who wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to reach number one on the Billboard charts.
Songwriting
Valentine’s creative contributions to The Go-Go’s extended well beyond her bass playing. She wrote “Vacation,” which became one of the band’s signature hits, reaching the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982. Valentine had originally written the song with her previous band, the Textones, but brought it to The Go-Go’s where it was reworked and became a pop culture staple that continues to receive radio play decades later, particularly during summer months. Additionally, Valentine co-wrote “Head Over Heels” with Charlotte Caffey, another major hit that reached #11 on the charts in 1984. These songwriting credits ensured Valentine would receive ongoing royalties from two of the band’s most enduring songs. Her other writing contributions included “Can’t Stop the World” on the album “Beauty and the Beat” and, years later, “The Whole World Lost Its Head” during the band’s 1990s reunion period. The Go-Go’s enjoyed tremendous success during their initial run, releasing three albums before internal tensions and substance abuse issues led to their breakup in 1985. Throughout this period, Valentine’s steady bass playing and songwriting were key elements of the band’s distinctive sound.
Solo Projects and Bands
Following The Go-Go’s breakup, Valentine pursued various musical projects. She formed The BlueBonnets (initially called the Delphines), a blues-rock band that allowed her to return to her first love, the guitar. The group released several albums showcasing Valentine’s guitar skills and songwriting in a bluesier context than her Go-Go’s work. Valentine also worked as a session musician, collaborated with other artists, and released solo material, including her 2005 album “Light Years.” These projects demonstrated her versatility as a musician capable of working across multiple genres while maintaining her distinctive musical voice.
Memoir and Recent Years
In 2020, Valentine published her memoir “All I Ever Wanted: A Rock ’n’ Roll Memoir,” which received critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of her life in music, struggles with substance abuse, and experiences as a woman in the male-dominated music industry. The book was accompanied by a soundtrack of original songs that complemented the narrative, showcasing Valentine’s continued creativity. The following year, Valentine and her Go-Go’s bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a long-overdue recognition of their pioneering status and influence on generations of musicians. In recent years, Valentine has continued to perform with both The Go-Go’s during their reunion tours and with her own projects. She has also worked as a motivational speaker and advocate for women in music, drawing on her experiences to inspire new generations of female musicians.
Real Estate
For many years, Kathy owned a home in Studio City, California. She sold this home in 2006 for around $2.2 million. After selling her LA home, Kathy moved to her native Austin, Texas, where she purchased a home the West Lake Hills area. She sold this home in 2012 amid a divorce. She still lives in the Austin area.
