BELINDA CARLISLE

From the heights of pop stardom to the depths of drug abuse—and back

“I always knew I had a good book in me,” says Belinda Carlisle. With a career that spans the heady days of L.A.’s early punk scene to pop superstardom, the Go-Go’s lead singer and solo pop star has plenty of rock ’n’ roll dirt to dish. But it was her recovery from cocaine addiction that prompted Carlisle to finally write her new memoir, Lips Unsealed. We caught Carlisle in New York just before she returned to her home in France to chat about writing, recovery and being a punk-pop pioneer.

Did you worry about saying too much in the book?

Anything I was hesitant about I left out. Everything in the book I felt very comfortable about revealing. It’s funny—I don’t think it’s that shocking, but everybody else seems to think it is! (laughs) Maybe it’s because I know that there are even more shocking tidbits that I left out. It’s the G-rated version of my life.

What has the reaction been like?

I’ve gotten a ton of letters from people who are struggling addicts, which is great. If I could make a difference in someone’s life like that, it’s all worth it. My bandmates were totally fine about it. In fact I talked to [Go-Go’s guitarist] Jane [Wiedlin] about it last week, and she was really supportive and impressed. Everybody in the band has a right to write their story.

What was the early punk scene like?

There were lots of clubs around at that time, and you could be terrible and get booked. The Go-Go’s played at least once or twice a week always, for two years. We learned as we went along, together, in front of people. We were all in the same boat when we started. Nobody knew how to do anything except for [guitarist and keyboardist] Charlotte [Caffey], and she was invited to join the band because she knew how to plug the guitar into the amplifier. (laughs) She was useful! Jane wrote by putting masking tape on her guitar to play the chords. We started from zero, and there just happened to be some natural talent in the band, and we had luck and timing on our side.

How did you evolve as a vocalist?

I didn’t train much. I didn’t take care of my instrument very well, and it shows in a few of the recordings I’ve made in my career. It’s something I really nurture now.

Do you have any regrets?

I don’t regret my addiction at all, because it’s led me to where I am now. One thing I do really regret is not being a present mom, and the hurt that I caused people around me. But not much else. I wish I played an instrument.

Have you ever tried learning one?

I started taking harp lessons about 10 years ago, but then my teacher moved away. It was a cool instrument to have in the living room, kind of eccentric and bizarre. But that’s one of those things that’s going to have to wait until my next life.

What’s next for you, music-wise?

I’m not really that interested in making a pop album. Living outside the U.S. has opened me up to a lot of things. I’ve thought about collaborating with Indian artists and rappers. I discovered opera, which was like discovering punk rock! Whatever I do, it will probably be weird and inspired.

–Katie Dodd