The Bangles: General Trivia Quiz

Answer: Debbi Peterson

"Walk Like An Egyptian" only had three verses, and all four of the Bangles were able vocalists. Their producer at the time, David Kahne, had them "audition" for the verses, and although Debbi Peterson was originally supposed to sing the entire song, she was cut from lead vocals entirely, and sang backup throughout the song.

In addition, she wasn't allowed to drum for the song, and instead stood at a microphone next to the other three and shook a tambourine.

Answer: Hazy Shade of Winter

Although the band had played their adaption of Simon and Garfunkel's song, "Hazy Shade of Winter" many times before in concerts, it wasn't released as a single until late in their career (1987).

Answer: Susanna Hoffs

In the years that the Bangles were apart, Susanna Hoffs was the only one to pursue a solo career. Vicki Peterson played as a guitarist and vocalist in Continental Drift, Debbi Peterson drummed in a group called Kindred Spirit, and Michael Steele played bass in the short-lived group, Crash Wisdom.

Answer: The Anklets

As a garage band, the Bangles' original name was The Colors, which was then changed to the Supersonic Bangs, and shortened to The Bangs. When they signed with a record company, another band known as The Bangs threatened to sue if they didn't change their name.

After thinking it over, the band decided instead of completely changing it, they would just add three letters, and dropped "The", and therefor, became Bangles.

Answer: Michael Steele

When Annette Zilinskas left the band, the Bangles needed a bass player, and they had to get one fast so the record company didn't walk out. Luckily, the band soon discovered Michael Steele, who was experienced in all-girl bands, as she had been in the original lineup of the Runaways. Steele proved to be the perfect addition, and performed with the band through the 80s, and joined again when the band reunited, until she quit the band in 2005.

Answer: Prince

"Manic Monday" was the first smash hit for the Bangles. It was penned by the 80's megastar Prince, under the pseudonym of Christopher. He had listened to the band's earlier album, "All Over The Place", and liked it so much he wrote a song for them.

Answer: Susanna Hoffs

Although the other band members were certainly not without fan clubs, Susanna Hoffs had by far the most exposure to the public, and before long, it wasn't so much, the Bangles, as it was Susanna Hoffs and the Bangles. Hoffs had lead vocals most often, on hits such as "Eternal Flame", "Manic Monday", and "Walking Down Your Street".

When the band disbanded, she was the only one to follow up with a solo career, and ironically, was far less popular on her own than when she was with the Bangles.

Answer: Hero Takes A Fall

"Hero Takes A Fall" was penned Vicki Peterson and Susanna Hoffs, lead guitarist and rhythm guitarist, respectively. "Hazy Shade of Winter" was written by Simon and Garfunkel, "Tear Off Your Own Head (It's A Doll Revolution)" by Elvis Costello, and "September Gurls" by Big Star.

Answer: Prince

Although Prince penned "Manic Monday", he did not appear in the music video, or any others by the Bangles. Leonard Nimoy had a cameo in "Going Down To Liverpool", and Little Richard and Randy Quaid both appeared in the music video for "Walking Down Your Street".

Answer: Sliding into a split while playing guitar

Susanna Hoffs had grown up wanting to be a dancer, but ended up going into music. She didn't forget what she could do though, and would often slide into a split onstage while playing guitar. She has recently acknowledged that they are one of the things from the 80s that won't be coming back.