Hachette Books provided an early galley for review.

I became a fan of the Bangles music in the mid-80's. So, this new book that encapsulates their history was something which very much interested me.

Bickerdike has several music-themed books to her credit, so she clearly has the credentials to deliver here. Having strong input from three of the four mainstays (a note in the foreword indicates that Michael Steele declined to be involved with the project) gives the book a more intimate voice. Debbi and Vicki Peterson and Susanna Hoffs (among others) paint the picture of the group's rise from the LA music scene to become world-wide superstars.

For me, I learned a lot from the various configurations of line-ups before the dust settled with the configuration that most people know. I always enjoy the behind-the-scenes details about recording, touring and video production. I liked when the author was able to touch upon the personal dynamics between the band members; everyone cannot always get along all of the time so it was good to see how the tension played out as the band was achieving fame.

Of course, one of my favorite parts was the interactions of the band and Prince, which led to the song "Manic Monday" which he wrote and the band took all the way up the charts in the late fall of 1985. These fascinating insights to the enigmatic artist come from the Bangles themselves, Prince's drummer Bobby Z and others.

All in all, this was a very in-depth look into the band. I recommend it to any fans of 80's music.

An advanced review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a non biased review.


Introduction
"Eternal Flame: The Authorized Biography of The Bangles" by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike is a comprehensive dive into the life and times of one of the most iconic all-female bands of the 1980s. Bickerdike, a well-known cultural historian with a penchant for music history, particularly in rock 'n' roll, brings her expertise to this detailed narrative. This book not only chronicles the journey of The Bangles from their inception in the vibrant Los Angeles music scene to their global stardom but also delves into the personal stories behind the band members, their struggles, and triumphs.

Summary
The book follows The Bangles from their first meeting in 1981, highlighting their ambition and focus which led to massive hits like “Manic Monday” and “Walk Like an Egyptian.” It discusses their ascent to fame, the dynamics within the band, the influence of MTV, and how they navigated the male-dominated music industry of the era. "Eternal Flame" also covers the band's split in the late 1980s due to internal tensions, artistic differences, and the pressures of fame. Bickerdike uses exclusive interviews and insights from founding members Debbi Peterson, Susanna Hoffs, and Vicki Peterson to offer an authentic portrayal of their journey.

Key Quotes from the Book
On their Beginnings:
"From their first meeting in 1981, the Bangles were ambitious, focused, and intentional; their hard-work and determination resulted in millions of records sold across the globe..." (Bickerdike, 2025, p. 1).
On the Impact of Fame:
"They seemed unstoppable—until tensions within the band, artistic differences, and the pressures of sudden celebrity tore them apart less than a decade later." (Bickerdike, 2025, p. 150).
On the Music Industry's Gender Dynamics:
"Certainly in the eighties, we were women making it in a man's world. I think that needs to be celebrated." (Debbi Peterson, as quoted by Bickerdike, 2025, p. 200).
The Role of MTV:
"The dawn of MTV was pivotal, offering them a platform unlike any before, showcasing their music and style to a global audience." (Bickerdike, 2025, p. 104).
On Legacy and Influence:
"Dynamic, daring, and deliciously entertaining from start to finish, ETERNAL FLAME is a tribute to one of the greatest pop bands of the 20th century—and a long-overdue corrective that restores The Bangles to their rightful place in music history as feminist trailblazers." (Bickerdike, 2025, p. 350).

Conclusion
Jennifer Otter Bickerdike's "Eternal Flame" is not just a biography but a homage to The Bangles' enduring legacy. It provides a nuanced look at the band's journey, their cultural impact, and the challenges they faced as women in music. Bickerdike's narrative is engaging, filled with personal anecdotes, and enriched by direct access to the band members' stories. This book is essential for fans of The Bangles or anyone interested in the history of music, particularly in understanding the complexities of fame and the music industry from a feminist perspective.

Detailed Ratings Breakdown
Content: 5/5 - The depth of research and personal insights from band members make this an invaluable resource for understanding The Bangles' story.
Writing Style: 4/5 - Bickerdike's style is both academic and engaging, though at times the narrative could be more concise.
Historical Accuracy: 5/5 - With authorized access, the book is a reliable source of The Bangles' history from their own perspective.
Entertainment Value: 4/5 - Engaging for fans, though the detailed recounting of events might be dense for those less invested in the subject.
Cultural Impact: 5/5 - Successfully places The Bangles in the broader context of music history, emphasizing their role as trailblazers.
Overall: 4.6/5 - A highly recommended read for its comprehensive coverage and insightful commentary on an influential band's journey.

This review encapsulates "Eternal Flame" as not only a biography but a significant cultural document, celebrating The Bangles' contribution to music and highlighting the often untold stories of women in rock.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

The Bangles were an all-female pop band in the 80s determined to succeed in a male-dominated music industry. This is an authorized biography of the Bangles given by Jennifer Bickerdike. This book also contains exclusive interviews, stories and much more with the assistance of the founding members of the band, Debbi Peterson, Susanna Hoffs, and Vicki Peterson. It is a tribute to an amazing pop band of their time!

I grew up listening to The Bangles. They were one of the bands that I first heard as a child. My mother would sing their songs right before bedtime. Eternal Flame was actually the only song I remember by heart, and it's also the song that would put me right to sleep! To be honest, I didn't know much of their background until I read this book! These women are such a talented bunch! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and you can tell that this was very well researched. When you read about the experiences the band had, it feels like you were there! I'm sure that this was just such a small glimpse into the lives of the band members.

This is a book I would have on my shelf for sentimental reasons. If there was one band I could always remember from my childhood, The Bangles were the first group that would always come to mind! If you haven't heard or if you want to read about an awesome girl pop group from the 80s, definitely check this book out!

I'm a Gen Xer, you know us- no internet no cell phones, but we had music thankfully! I would not have survived my west central Minnesotan existence without it. ( a town of 300 we barely had cable no MTV) but we had radio and i lived for the top 40 countdown with my two fingers on play and record to get the good songs, and The Bengles were it - we all know the songs Manic Monday, Walk Like an Egyptian on and on this book is recollections with 3 of the 4 band members as well as the ones in it leading up to the band we all knew- Susanna, and the Peterson sisters as well as others give a great recollection of their lives and the story of the bad- we all know how it ended? This is the story of how it happened....I love a good band book and this one was great i never knew much about them personally and this made me do a few internet dives (love anything with a Prince reference as wll) buy it for a music lover - especially a Gen X one

Thanks net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

The Bangles were the first concert I attended. I remember my bestie and her dad taking us and I loved it all. I used to listen to Eternal Flame over and over and over again thinking I could sing just like the band. When I saw this cover I knew I needed to read the book. I loved getting a glimpse inside the lives and mostly the early years of the member's stories. It is well researched and thorough. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

The authorized biography of one of the most well-known 80’s pop bands “The Bangles.”

Author @jenniferotterbickerdike does an incredible job telling their story in a compulsively readable way, beginning with their days in the underground scene and propelling to worldwide fame. Self-taught musicians, The Bangles had to fight their way through the misogynistic music industry to be taken seriously. Interviews with The Bangles (except for Michael Steele who opted out of being interviewed) bring their story to life making this a genuinely compelling read not only for those who grew up in the 80s, but for anyone who admires hardworking and amazingly talented badass women. Fully understanding how hard these women worked to be respected and acknowledged makes their music even that more special. Kudos to the author for an outstanding job!

Thank you @netgalley @hachettebooks @htp_hive for the advance copy!

A 5-Star Book about a 5-Star Band.

Susanna Hoffs and sisters Vicki and Debbie Peterson entrusted esteemed music author Jennifer Otter Bickerdike to pen this official Bangles biography.

Bickerdike wrote a compelling biography, capturing the young women in their earliest days as Beatles-obsessed self-taught musicians cutting their teeth in the early 80's LA Punk and underground scene to becoming an international sensation.

The Bangles were a scrappy, all-female band determined to succeed in a male-dominated music industry. The press initially dismissed them as a knock-off of the Go-Gos, another all-female band with a completely different sound.

The Bangles were originally an egalitarian band that primarily wrote their own songs. Once they signed to a major label, their record company swallowed them up to maximize sales. They became a hit machine behind a taskmaster producer who denigrated them in the studios and hired other musicians to play on their albums. This led to false media accusations that the Bangles didn't even play their instruments in the studio.

Despite the deep-rooted misogyny the Bangles faced, whether it be writers obsessed with their looks or outright dismissing them as a bland corporate band, they played to packed houses in enormous venues. They were a favorite of Prince, a musician who was not known to praise any band. He performed with them on stage several times and wrote their hit "Manic Monday."

The Bangles are an easy band to root for throughout the book. The three who agreed to be interviewed (Michael Steele did not; little is known about her private life) were well-educated musicians from families who supported their careers. They were the lowest on the popularity chain at their schools because they were into arts and music, so despite their eventual attractive looks, they did not enter the industry as high-maintenance Valley Girls.

This is not a sex, drugs, and rock and roll expose. Despite the Bangles' absurd touring schedule, they avoided excess. Instead, the book is about a band that earned everything they received and ascended to the top of an industry that was not female-friendly.

Unfortunately, the band's downfall was the egos and the mental and physical grind of constant touring. Still, Bickerdike does a fantastic job capturing the Bangles' remembrances in hindsight. As they all matured 40 years later, they can reflect on all their successes and friendships along the way. Heck, they reunited many years later without Michael Steele and released more albums on their terms.

This is a fantastic read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has listened to the Bangles or wants to learn more about them. Rock biographies sometimes get bogged down in minutiae, but Bickerdike avoids this, making the book a very accessible and compelling 300-page read, not counting notes and sources.

I want to thank Jennifer Otter Bickerdike for giving me a second draft of this book in November 2024 and trusting me to provide an unbiased review.

I would also like to thank Hatchette and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC. The pictures from the Petersons' and Susanna's personal collections are great.