VH1 TONY: Welcome to VH1 Online's chat with the legendary Belinda Carlisle. Belinda first came to my attention by way of a music video back in 1981. She redefined air-drumming while tooling around LA with the rest of the Go-Gos behind the wheel of a vintage convertible. She was the absolute coolest and I've been a fan ever since.

VH1 TONY: Belinda's survived her past, seeing her way through punk rock, mohawks, countless stalkers and even the unlikely name of Dotty Danger. She was once a reckless party girl who, according to The New Musical Express, "Could tell tales to make Courtney Love tremble," like waking up one morning to discover she'd bought a racehorse.

VH1 TONY: But the 90's find Belinda happily coupled with a former advisor to President Reagan and their beautiful baby boy, living abroad in locales as exotic as London and Cap d'Antibes in the South of France. She probably shares with Molly Ringwald the title of New Wave's most famous expatriate. But the good news for fans is she more than just settled, she's back with a brilliant new album on ARK 21 Records called A Woman And A Man.

VH1 TONY: The album, just released in the U.S., has been Europe little secret for well over a year with two singles in England's Top 10. It features some amazing guest stars, including Beach Boy Brian Wilson and Per Gessle of Roxette.

VH1 TONY: A Man & A Woman is finally here and so is Belinda, and so, without further ado, Let's welcome Belinda Carlisle.

BELINDA CARLISLE: Hi everybody.

QUESTION: When did you first start singing?

BELINDA CARLISLE: With the Go-Gos.

QUESTION: How did you get so beautiful?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Next Question.

QUESTION: What's your favorite song to perform?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Probably. . . "Summer Rain."

VH1 TONY: Who would you want to play you in "Belinda Carlisle: The TV Movie"?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Stockard Channing.

QUESTION: Did you write your own songs in the Go-Gos and do you write your own songs now?

BELINDA CARLISLE: The Go-Gos wrote their own songs and I wrote some of them. As far as my material goes now, I do write some of it.

QUESTION: You've got a birthday coming up in August. Does that make you a Leo?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Yes, a Leo with Libra rising. Being a Leo usually means that you're a Sherlock. I think the Libra rising sort of mellows it out a bit.

QUESTION: Hi Belinda, did you used to roller skate on the strand in Redondo Beach in the early 80's?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Yes I did.

VH1 TONY: Did you ever study singing?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I took vocal lessons after the Go-Gos started, just to strengthen my vocal cords, but I never took lessons before the Go-Gos. I had no intention of ever singing, really.

QUESTION: How old is your little boy? Does he like music?

BELINDA CARLISLE: He's 5 years old, and yes he does like music.

VH1 TONY: Do you have any big plans for the millennium?

BELINDA CARLISLE: No, I'm probably the only person that doesn't, yet.

QUESTION: What do you think of your success

BELINDA CARLISLE: Of course, I'm happy about it. I feel very fortunate to have it.

QUESTION: What is your favorite song you've written?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Probably "Skidmarks on My Heart" by the Go-Gos.

QUESTION: What's the craziest thing you ever did as a Go-Go?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I can't say.

QUESTION: What is the first album you ever bought?

BELINDA CARLISLE: "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys.

QUESTION: What was the most exciting time in your life?

BELINDA CARLISLE: There's been lots of exciting moments: when the Go-Gos reached # 1, as a solo artist it was very exciting when my albums went to #1 all over the world, but personally, I'd have to say the birth of my son was the most exciting thing ever.

VH1 TONY: Any underlying theme to the new album, A Woman & A Man?

BELINDA CARLISLE: No, the songs are for the most part very romantic. There's not really any sort of message or theme. The project took on a life of its own with the choice of the songs. It always takes on a life of its own in the studio.

QUESTION: Do you consider yourself a sex symbol as well as a performing artist?

BELINDA CARLISLE: No, I never thought of myself as that. I consider myself a singer, without any sort of gender thing. That's my profession - I sing.

VH1 TONY: Would you ever do a Broadway show? Which one? I'd love to see you as Roxy Hart in Chicago.

BELINDA CARLISLE: No, I'm not really a big theater fan. The last thing I saw was Dreamgirls and that was about 15 years ago! I never had any desire to act - I just stick to my singing and making records.

QUESTION: Have you ever lost your voice? What did you do?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I have a few times. The last time was when the Go-Gos played Las Vegas in 1995. I had to take steroids for my vocal cords, to shrink them. It was pretty severe.

VH1 TONY: You looked sooooo fabulous on Howard Stern last night. What do you think of him?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I love Howard Stern!

QUESTION: Hey Belinda! Do you think it's more important for an artist to move with the trends or stick with their own style and wait for the trends to come back around?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I think it's important for the artist to be true to themselves, if that means going with the trends that's great. Personally, I've never been too concerned with trends. As a solo artist I've pretty much stuck to my chosen style of music. Pop music does go in cycles, so I pretty much wait for the trends to come back around.

QUESTION: What's the oddest thing that ever happened to you while performing?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I pulled my skirt off on-stage with my heel, accidentally, in front of about 30,000 people.

QUESTION: Do you miss singing with a group and which do you enjoy more, singing solo or with a group?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I don't really miss being in a band. I miss the camaraderie, but I definitely do prefer being on my own.

QUESTION: Do you ever go on tour and will you tour the U.S. soon?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I don't really tour that much anymore. There are no plans for a US tour.

QUESTION: Why did you move to France? Do you like it there?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I moved because I always had a fantasy of living in Provence, which is where I lived after leaving LA in 1994. I felt very comfortable living there. I thought the riots were a sign I should be getting out of LA, and the earthquake was a big reason for me to leave too.

QUESTION: Do you still have much contact with the other members of your former group, The Go-Gos?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I talk to Jane and Charlotte.

QUESTION: Do you like Hanson?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Yes, I love Hanson.

QUESTION: Miss Carlisle, I saw you when I was in Italy last summer. I thought you were incredible. Do you remember what song you sang at the Festivalbar in Naples? And how did you like Naples?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I sang "In Too Deep" and I had a great time in Naples. I went to Pompeii for the second time and I loved it. I had a really great time.

QUESTION: Do you have any advice for someone who would like to pursue a singing career?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Just perseverance, and I think you have to have some sort of voice. But it just takes hard work and perseverance, really.

QUESTION: To which of your previous albums would you say the new one is most similar?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I can't really make any comparisons, because I like to think of them as all being a little bit different

VH1 TONY: I remember you as the jamboree singer in Swing Shift with Goldie Hawn. Have you done any other films and do you want to?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I haven't done any others, and I don't really have any desire to be an actress.

QUESTION: Belinda, who were your influences when you were a teenager?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Debbie Harry, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Roxy Music.

QUESTION: You are so gorgeous. What are your beauty secrets?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Next Question.

QUESTION: What is your favorite thing to do besides sing?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Doing absolutely nothing! But actually, I do have a passion for archeology. I've gone on several digs, in fact I just got back from a dig in South America. That really is my other great interest besides my family.

QUESTION: What is your favorite new singer or band?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I'm into the new album by the Scottish band called Texas right now. I love that band, I love the singer. Her name is Sharleen Spiteri and her voice is beautiful voice. The album is called White on Blonde. My tastes are pretty diverse, but I think that's my favorite at the moment.

QUESTION: Do you sing in the shower? If so, what songs?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I sing in the shower all the time, but I can't think of what. It's usually is show tunes.

QUESTION: Hey Belinda, will you be making any personal appearances on TV soon?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I have no plans. I finish with my promotion in the States tomorrow, and I'm heading back to Europe.

QUESTION: A Woman And A Man is your best CD! What is your favorite song on it?

BELINDA CARLISLE: "California." Brian Wilson worked on that with me. I've known him for quite a few years from working on his album. He came to Go-Gos' shows and to my solo shows. I thought it would be interesting to have both of us on a bittersweet song about California since we're both so associated with the place. Watching him was a great experience, just because he's such a genius. It was impossible to work after he had left the studio because it was so exhausting. He completely blew me away.

QUESTION: What's your favorite book?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Hmmm. . . I'd have to say non-fiction: My Wicked, Wicked Ways by Errol Flynn and fiction: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham. I prefer non-fiction, but occasionally I'll pick up a classic. I read about 15 books a year.

QUESTION: Do you have any pets?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I had 6 dogs, but 4 of them died. Two of the dogs we had to ship back to the States. They have a quarantine for animals in England, and we couldn't bear to put them in quarantine for 6 months. We did have 2 parrots, but one flew away. So I just have one parrot left.

VH1 TONY: Didn't you used to have a pet pig?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I did, but that was about 10 years ago and very briefly.

QUESTION: Who is your favorite fashion designer and who do you think is the most stylish singer?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I think my favorite designer is probably Anna Molinari and as far as stylish singers go, I think Madonna always looks great.

QUESTION: Did you know that you were mentioned in Madonna's movie, Truth or Dare? What did you think of that?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I wasn't bothered by it all. I thought it was funny. I know the girl who did the imitation of me, so I found it amusing.

QUESTION: Hello. I am a huge fan of your music! I was wondering if you had any good luck charms that you brought with you on stage?

BELINDA CARLISLE: No, I've never had any good luck charms. I'm not a very superstitious person.

QUESTION: Why did it take so long for A Woman And A Man to be released in America? I've been waiting since 1993 for something new and brilliant, now I've got it and love it.

BELINDA CARLISLE: Oh, thank you.

BELINDA CARLISLE: It was tough for me to release things simultaneously. It was released in England a year ago and I was very busy there. And there was some discussion as to what label it would come out on over here, so that took some time, too.

QUESTION: What three CD's would you take to a deserted island?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Crowded House's Reoccurring Dream, Roxy Music's Country Life and. . . The Best of the Shangri-Las.

QUESTION: How do you feel about the music scene now as opposed to that of ten years ago?

BELINDA CARLISLE: There was good stuff coming out then, and there's great stuff now. The English music scene is much better than it used to be. That's what I really know now since I live there. I can't really make any comparisons about what's going on here.

VH1 TONY: You've had your share of stalkers. In the wake of the Versace murder, do you have any advice for celebrities?

BELINDA CARLISLE: No, I'm sure a lot of people who have a public profile are somewhat concerned. I was thinking about it today, while I was driving. I've certainly had that experience, living in LA, and I had to have a bodyguard. It's a problem for anyone. I have a girlfriend who had a stalker after her for a while, and she's not even a celebrity. I'd say for anyone, the thing to do is just to try and be really aware of what's going on around you.

QUESTION: Do you ever miss just being a "regular" girl?

BELINDA CARLISLE: When I was living in France, I was completely anonymous. It was a great, a welcome change for me not having to be on my toes all the time. But I can change my appearance and blend in with other people very well. I go about my business almost like anyone else. I do my own shopping, I do my own dishes occasionally and I have a pretty normal life.

QUESTION: If you weren't a singer, what would you do for a living?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I don't know, I never really had any other ambitions. I had no ambitions, really. I never knew what I wanted to do, except I knew I wanted to travel around and see the world so whatever I would do would have to entail some travel.

VH1 TONY: Did you speak French well before moving to France and how were you received as an American?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I didn't speak any French. I learned when I moved there. I think everyone has this perception of the French being rude and cold. I had maybe one or two difficult experiences. I found everyone to be very warm and friendly. But I was living in the South of France, and I think Parisians are a lot tougher.

QUESTION: What's your favorite restaurant in LA?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Hamburger Hamlet.

QUESTION: Do you play any instruments?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I play piano by ear.

QUESTION: Belinda, have you considered recording an Unplugged-type CD?

BELINDA CARLISLE: The thought has crossed my mind, but I don't really have any plans to do it.

QUESTION: What do you think of this high tech age where things like this take place?

BELINDA CARLISLE: It's very bizarre. I'm not a computer person, so while it seems very normal to a lot of people, it doesn't seem normal to me at all!

QUESTION: I've enjoyed the pieces you've written for Details. Any plans for more literary endeavors?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Yes. There will be a Go-Gos' book. It's in the works. Jane, Charlotte and I are going to be writing it.

QUESTION: What is your son's name and age and does he have a passion for music?

BELINDA CARLISLE: His name is James Duke Mason and he loves the Spice Girls. He's five.

QUESTION: What are you most proud of in your musical career?

BELINDA CARLISLE: My longevity.

QUESTION: Welcome, Belinda. The last time I saw you was in LA with the Go-Gos, probably 10 years ago. You were great, when will you go on tour again?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I don't have any plans to go on tour again, I might do an occasional date here and there. I'm in the process of pre-production for my new album, which will go into production in the beginning of next year. There may be some dates after that, but nothing in the short-term.

QUESTION: I was lucky enough to see you perform with Tina Turner, what do you think of her?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I think she's great.

QUESTION: What inspired you to write "Summer Rain"? It is my favorite song.

BELINDA CARLISLE: I didn't write "Summer Rain," Maria Vidal and Robbie Simon wrote that.

QUESTION: Belinda, how has your style changed since the 80s?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Musically, I think it's a little bit more stripped down.

QUESTION: Belinda, you seem happy living abroad. Is making a comeback in America a major goal at this point in your life?

BELINDA CARLISLE: Not really, I don't put any pressure on my self about success or aspiring to that type of goal. Usually a record takes on a life of its own no matter what you do. I just do my work, and don't take on any extra pressure.

QUESTION: Where do u get your stage fashions from?

BELINDA CARLISLE: I think about comfort first, and of course it has to look a little flamboyant. Usually it's a combination of thrift store or vintage clothing and maybe a designer that I like.

QUESTION: Who's directed your new video?

BELINDA CARLISLE: The video was filmed a year ago in Italy and it was directed by David Nelson.

VH1 TONY: Of course a mere hour with Belinda Carlisle is so short it almost seems cruel, but we thank her for taking time out to answer questions from her fans. Be sure and check out Belinda's new release, A Woman & A Man and come back on Monday Night, July 28th at 10 pm est for our chat with the one and only Alice Cooper.

BELINDA CARLISLE: Thank you for being here!

Transmitted: 7/25/97 11:28 AM EDT