Born on January 17, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, Susanna Lee Hoffs grew up surrounded by creativity. Her mother, Tamar Simon Hoffs, a filmmaker, and her father, Joshua Hoffs, a psychoanalyst, introduced her to a world filled with art and introspection. Growing up, Hoffs fell in love with music from the 1960s, especially bands like The Beatles and The Byrds, which would heavily influence her career later on.

Hoffs discovered her musical talent early, learning to play the guitar as a teenager. During her time at Palisades High School and later at the University of California, Berkeley, where she majored in art, music became her refuge. After graduating, Hoffs returned to Los Angeles, ready to pursue her dream of becoming a musician.

In 1981, Susanna Hoffs co-founded The Bangles alongside sisters Debbi and Vicki Peterson. The band, initially called “The Bangs,” quickly developed a signature sound that blended jangly guitar riffs, lush harmonies, and infectious pop-rock melodies. With the addition of bassist Michael Steele, the lineup was complete.

The Bangles gained traction with their debut album, All Over the Place (1984), which featured tracks like “Hero Takes a Fall.” Their big break came when Prince, a fan of the band, offered them the song “Manic Monday.” The track became a hit, setting the stage for their second album, Different Light (1986), which catapulted them to international fame.

The Different Light album became a cultural phenomenon, featuring some of The Bangles’ most iconic songs:

• “Manic Monday”: A whimsical tune written by Prince, it climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
• “Walk Like an Egyptian”: This quirky, unforgettable anthem became a global hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a place in pop culture history.
• “If She Knew What She Wants”: A melodic ballad that showcased Hoffs’s distinct voice and the band’s harmonious blend.

These hits established The Bangles as one of the most prominent all-female rock bands of the 1980s, with Hoffs’s charisma as a frontwoman captivating audiences worldwide.

In 1988, The Bangles released their third studio album, Everything. Among its standout tracks was “Eternal Flame,” a romantic ballad co-written by Hoffs. The song topped charts globally and remains one of the band’s most beloved tracks. With its heartfelt lyrics and Hoffs’s emotive delivery, “Eternal Flame” became an enduring classic in pop music history.

Despite their success, creative tensions within the band led to their breakup in 1989. However, Hoffs’s journey was far from over.

Hoffs released her debut solo album, When You’re a Boy, in 1991. While the album didn’t achieve the commercial success of her work with The Bangles, tracks like “My Side of the Bed” showcased her pop sensibilities. Her second solo album, Susanna Hoffs (1996), demonstrated artistic growth, featuring a more introspective tone.

In 1999, The Bangles reunited, releasing Doll Revolution in 2003. The album rekindled their connection with fans, and tracks like “Something That You Said” showcased their timeless appeal.

Susanna Hoffs has remained active in recent years, collaborating with Matthew Sweet on the Under the Covers series, which paid homage to classic songs from past decades. In 2012, she released Someday, a solo album that revisited her 1960s pop influences. Hoffs also penned a memoir, This Bird Has Flown, offering fans a personal glimpse into her life and career.

Hoffs’s ability to create music that transcends generations solidifies her as a pop-rock icon whose influence continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.