“Six o’clock already. I was just in the middle of a dream.  I was kissing Valentino by a crystal blue Italian stream.”  Whenever I hear Susanna Hoffs sing this, my heart and memory banks simply swell with happiness. 

On October 11th, 2023, I was front row at the Verde Club in San Francisco to see Susanna being interviewed for Litquake. Just days before her promotional appearance I learned that Susanna had published her first novel “The Bird Has Flown”. I thought tickets were such a great deal at less than $45 to see her talk on stage about the creative process behind her book, read from it, AND do some acoustic singing.  

Dressed comfortably in a black pajama-like ensemble with white piping and clam digger pants with flats, she was adorable forthright and lightly sun kissed. 

It was such a treat to hear her talk about the genesis of the book, the protagonist Jane, and her creative process in writing it.  Her description of the main character - a female one-hit wonder whose single successful song was a cover of a song originally done by a musical legend - immediately made me think of Sinead O'Connor and “Nothing Compares to You” which was originally done by Prince.  Especially since Susanna has the Prince connection.  (Now this is just the first thought that came to my mind!  I still haven’t read the book and I absolutely love Sinead and consider her catalog to have more than one great song.  But stay tuned for more on Sinead.) 

During her time on-stage, Susanna also brought out her guitar and sang beautiful and slightly modified arrangements of “Manic Monday” (heart flutter) and “Eternal Flame” in addition to a great cover of the Rolling Stones “Under My Thumb” (which you can see on YouTube).   

Although a pre-signed copy of the book came with the event ticket, the organizers actually encouraged us to meet with Susanna after the show to have her personalize our book.  I had brought a few rare Bangles photographs and the original 5x7 postcard that welcomed me to Susanna's fan club in the 90’s. 

She was ultra sweet and nice when I introduced myself but became a little abrupt when I told her I had brought some other items for her to sign. She looked at the person next to her and said, "We're not doing this tonight … just the book, right?" 

I quickly pulled out my book and said yes, I did buy a book! And she said “Oh, I can sign this one” referring to her fan club postcard, and “Would you like the book personalized?” Thank you and yes, Susannah! 

It is completely understandable when an artist is promoting a new project that they may not be interested in autographing items from other parts of their career, or from the past, but I am always polite and prepared just in case they ARE in the mood! 

It is also interesting to note that she simply would not take the blue Sharpie that I proffered and insisted on signing the photo in black Sharpie; it's such a weird thing how so many celebrities will shun a blue Sharpie.  I also noted a few autograph collectors lingering outside and I wondered what kind of luck they would have as I jumped into my Jeep which was parked right in front.  Rockstar parking to see a rockstar! 

During our brief chat, I mentioned how much I loved her covers of Bowie’s “Boys Keep Swinging” and Steeler’s Wheel “Stuck in the Middle With You”.  You’ll see from the CD’s shown here that I’m a big fan of Susanna doing covers in general; both CD’s with Matthew Sweet are full of great covers.  You will also note that there are two CD covers and back inserts ONLY from Susanna’s 1991 self-titled debut.  That is because I used to have a removable CD player in my car which was stolen, not once – but twice, with Susanna’s CDs in the player each time.  Which is simply to say (A) I was a 26-year-old idiot living in the Haight Ashbury not even thinking that my car would be broken into AGAIN, (B) That I was a perseverant little effer and immediately replaced not only the CD player but Susanna’s CD and (C) For all those people that say San Francisco has such a problem with car break-ins.  Hi – it’s not a new thing. 

Susannah Hoffs is just a calm, bright, centered and intelligent beam of light. A lovely lady with such a sweetly unique voice. One of my favorite ladies from the 80’s. 

I also have a great story about the time that I met Susanna with all of the other Bangles after one of their performances in San Francisco in 2000.  That was a doozy. 

Here’s Susanna at the event singing “Under My Thumb”