Annie Golden

Vocalist Annie Golden is one of the unsung heroes of the late-‘70s New York punk scene. Although her new wave band <a href="spotify:artist:7Hv3fGuzZr7vBvfWltuPyb">the Shirts</a> acquired a number of critical accolades and even a major-label deal, they didn't receive the national or historical recognition of their peers such as <a href="spotify:artist:4tpUmLEVLCGFr93o8hFFIB">Blondie</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2x9SpqnPi8rlE9pjHBwmSC">Talking Heads</a>, or <a href="spotify:artist:0S7Zur2g8YhqlzqtlYStli">Television</a>. Golden was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 19, 1951. As a child, she learned how to sing in school and church choirs. In 1971, she met guitarist Art LaMonica from the covers act Lackeys & Schemers. After hearing her voice, the group asked her to join. The band then merged with Starry Messengers and renamed themselves <a href="spotify:artist:7Hv3fGuzZr7vBvfWltuPyb">the Shirts</a>, performing original material. <a href="spotify:artist:7Hv3fGuzZr7vBvfWltuPyb">The Shirts</a> made their debut in 1975 at the legendary New York underground club CBGB's. Unlike many other punk groups, <a href="spotify:artist:7Hv3fGuzZr7vBvfWltuPyb">the Shirts</a> were actually technically skilled musicians and didn't attire themselves in outré clothing; consequently, they didn't seem hip or radical enough for the punk movement. Nevertheless, the critics raved about Golden: the Soho Weekly News described her as a "gutsy Earth mother and ethereal angel." In August 1978 <a href="spotify:artist:7Hv3fGuzZr7vBvfWltuPyb">the Shirts</a> released their self-titled debut LP on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Capitol+Records%22">Capitol Records</a>. After seeing Golden perform at CBGB's, director Milos Forman cast her in the film version of the stage hit Hair. After recording three unsuccessful albums, <a href="spotify:artist:7Hv3fGuzZr7vBvfWltuPyb">the Shirts</a> broke up. Golden went solo, contributing songs to movie soundtracks like Sixteen Candles and Pebble & the Penguin; she also appeared in plays, films, and TV shows. In the ‘90s, she collaborated with guitarist Frank Carillo, releasing three records with him as Golden Carillo. Golden reunited with <a href="spotify:artist:7Hv3fGuzZr7vBvfWltuPyb">the Shirts</a> for one CBGB's gig in 1993 for the bar's 20th anniversary. Although her punk days had been overshadowed by the accomplishments of her contemporaries, Golden found acclaim as a Broadway actress. ~ Michael Sutton, Rovi