The Bangles Guitarist Opens Up: ‘I Had to Put My Foot Down’ with Prince Over…read more…

The Bangles Guitarist Opens Up: ‘I Had to Put My Foot Down’ with Prince Over…read more…

Vicki Peterson, lead guitarist and founding member of the iconic all-female band The Bangles, has opened up about a pivotal moment in the group’s collaboration with the legendary Prince. Best known for their jangly guitar-driven pop and timeless hits like “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Eternal Flame,” The Bangles were a defining part of the 1980s music scene. But behind the glitz of their chart-topping success lies a story of creative control and standing firm—especially when it came to working with a superstar like Prince.

In a recent interview, Peterson revealed a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the band’s relationship with Prince, who famously wrote “Manic Monday,” one of The Bangles’ biggest hits. The track was initially written by Prince for his side project Apollonia 6, but he later offered it to The Bangles under the pseudonym Christopher. While the band was thrilled to receive such a gift from a musical genius, the collaboration wasn’t without its challenges.

“Prince was a visionary, no doubt,” Peterson said. “But he was also very particular about how his songs were interpreted. When we began working on ‘Manic Monday,’ he had ideas about how it should sound—and they didn’t quite match ours.”

Peterson explained that the band respected Prince’s artistry, but they had their own vision too. “We were trying to establish ourselves as a legitimate rock band. We weren’t just puppets to sing other people’s songs,” she said. “I had to put my foot down a few times. We had to make sure the song sounded like The Bangles—not just a Prince demo with female vocals.”

Her assertiveness paid off. The final version of “Manic Monday,” released in 1986, blended Prince’s melodic structure with The Bangles’ signature harmonies and guitar style. It became a global hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and solidifying the band’s place in pop music history.

Peterson’s role as lead guitarist has often been overshadowed by the band’s more visible frontwoman, Susanna Hoffs, but her contributions were critical to shaping The Bangles’ distinctive sound. From the shimmering guitar lines of “If She Knew What She Wants” to the power-pop riffs on deeper cuts, Peterson’s musicianship helped bridge the gap between 1960s-inspired jangle pop and modern rock.

Beyond her work with The Bangles, Peterson has remained active in music, collaborating with her sister-in-law Susan Cowsill in the duo Continental Drifters and continuing to tour and record with various artists. Her journey stands as a testament to artistic integrity in an industry that often pushes image over substance.

“It’s important to stand up for your creative instincts,” Peterson said. “Even when you’re working with someone as iconic as Prince. That moment taught me a lot about who I was—not just as a guitarist, but as an artist.”

As The Bangles’ music continues to inspire new generations, Vicki Peterson’s story reminds us that sometimes, putting your foot down is the first step to finding your voice.