Susanna Hoffs

Biography

Susanna Lee Hoffs, born January 17, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actress best known as a founding member of the Bangles. Raised in a creative household with a love for 1960s music, she studied art at UC Berkeley, where she was influenced by punk and new wave and formed her first band with David Roback. Returning to Los Angeles, Hoffs placed a want ad that led to meeting sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson, and together they formed the Bangles in 1981. The group became a defining force in 1980s pop, blending jangly guitars, lush harmonies, and power pop sensibilities, and scored international hits with songs like 'Manic Monday,' 'Walk Like an Egyptian,' and 'Eternal Flame.'

After the Bangles' initial split in 1989, Hoffs embarked on a solo career, releasing several albums including 'When You're a Boy' (1991) and 'Susanna Hoffs' (1996), and collaborating with artists such as Matthew Sweet on the acclaimed 'Under the Covers' series. She also formed the faux-1960s band Ming Tea for the 'Austin Powers' films and contributed to numerous soundtracks. The Bangles reunited in 1999, continuing to tour and record, while Hoffs pursued solo projects and collaborations with notable musicians across genres. In 2023, she published her debut novel, 'This Bird Has Flown,' which received critical acclaim and was optioned for a film adaptation.

Hoffs' musical style is characterized by melodic power pop and jangle pop, drawing heavily from 1960s rock and pop influences. Her clear, expressive voice and knack for catchy songwriting have made her both a pop icon and a respected figure among peers, with a career spanning over four decades and a lasting impact on female-fronted rock bands.

Fun Facts

• Susanna Hoffs played the fictional band member Gillian Shagwell in all three 'Austin Powers' films as part of Ming Tea.
• Her mother, Tamar Simon Hoffs, is a film director who directed Susanna in the 1987 film 'The Allnighter.'
• Hoffs' signature move—tilting her head to the side while performing—became an iconic part of her stage presence.
• She released her first novel, 'This Bird Has Flown,' in 2023, which was quickly optioned for a film adaptation by Universal Pictures.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• 1960s pop and rock artists - Hoffs was raised on a steady diet of 1960s music, which shaped her melodic sensibility and vocal style. (Influence evident throughout Bangles and solo discography) [Childhood through career]
• David Roback - Early bandmate at UC Berkeley; Roback later co-founded Mazzy Star. (First band together (pre-Bangles)) [Late 1970s]

Key Collaborators

• Vicki Peterson - Co-founder of the Bangles; guitarist and vocalist. (All Bangles albums) [1981–present]
• Debbi Peterson - Co-founder of the Bangles; drummer and vocalist. (All Bangles albums) [1981–present]
• Matthew Sweet - Frequent collaborator on the 'Under the Covers' album series and Ming Tea (Austin Powers films). ('Under the Covers' Vols. 1–3, Ming Tea) [1990s–2010s]
• Prince - Wrote 'Manic Monday' for the Bangles. ('Manic Monday') [1986]
• Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly - Songwriting partners for Bangles hits. ('Eternal Flame', 'In Your Room') [1988]
• Mike Myers - Bandmate in Ming Tea for Austin Powers films. (Ming Tea) [1997–2002]
• Rufus Wainwright - Collaborated on recordings. (Various) [2010s–2020s]

Artists Influenced

• Haim - Cited the Bangles as a major influence on their sound and approach as an all-female band. (General stylistic influence) [2010s–present]
• The Like - Inspired by the Bangles' harmonies and pop sensibility. (General stylistic influence) [2000s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Eternal Flame
2. Eternal Flame (Everything)
3. Eternal Flame (Everything)
4. Eternal Flame (Everything)
5. In Your Room (Everything)
6. The Only Thing - feat. Susanna Hoffs (10 Songs)
7. In Your Room (Everything)
8. Eternal Flame
9. Eternal Flame
10. Eternal Flame

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #aln-sh, #glamour-rock, #pop