"I remember that, having grown up in a hardcore Star Trek-loving family, I felt a bit like I had to choose sides when the first movie, Star Wars: A New Hope came out," Wiedlin recalls. "But seeing the movie turned me into an instant huge fan. The characters seemed totally real to me, and the technology of the special effects was mind-blowing. I fell in love with everyone and everything Star Wars."
From then on, Wiedlin was hooked, especially when The Empire Strikes Back hit the theaters. "Empire, to me, is by far the finest of the six films," Wiedlin says. "It is so exciting, so dramatic, and so full of pathos. Harrison Ford, as Han Solo, totally stole my heart and no one has ever outdone him in the scoundrel-as-hero role! Star Wars is a very rich universe, and there is always more to explore. George Lucas created a galaxy that seems fantastical yet probable at the same time. I have always been in love with science fiction and the idea of the future in general. I know that Star Wars is meant to be a long time ago in a galaxy far away, but to me, it is our future. Science fiction is a huge part of my life, my style and my imagination. You can see it in my home decor, my fashion sense, and my tastes in entertainment."
The saga left such an impression on Wiedlin that she boasts a rather impressive collection of Star Wars toys and books. "I have several toys -- my two favorites being my Yoda fortune-telling toy and my Jabba the Hutt who burped out those slimy creatures he liked to eat," Wiedlin laughs. "I also have probably 100 Star Wars books, including all of The New Jedi Order series. That series was fantastic! When I was living in the mountains of Panama without electricity (no TV) I survived by entertaining myself with those books! There has never been a sci-fi series with better spin-off books than Star Wars."
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It's no surprise that Wiedlin has a soft spot for music fit for a fun night at the cantina with her background as the guitarist and songwriter for The Go-Go's -- one of the most influential all-female bands of the '80s. Originally forming in the late '70s as a California punk band, the Go-Go's refined their sound with their IRS Records debut of the best-selling Beauty and the Beat, in 1981. Their hit singles "We Got the Beat," "Our Lips Are Sealed," "Vacation" and "Head Over Heels" made Wiedlin and the rest of her bandmates pop music icons thanks to the growing MTV generation. At the top of their game in 1984 after releasing their third album Talk Show, Wiedlin decided to leave the band and strike out on her own. She released numerous solo albums including Jane Wiedlin (1985), Fur (1988), Tangled (1990), and Kissproof World (2001). During the late '90s, Wiedlin also fronted the Los Angeles pop-punk band FroSTed and released the album Cold.
In 1990, Wiedlin organized a brief Go-Go's reunion, performing for a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals benefit show. The band reunited again in 1994 -- this time in the studio to record new material for their double-disc compilation Return of the Valley of the Go-Go's. In 2001, the band released the critically-acclaimed God Bless the Go-Go's. The band continues to play throughout the year for limited tour dates and appearances. Fans attending a Go-Go's show may want to look closely at Wiedlin's guitar which prominently displays a few Darth Maul stickers. Wiedlin also fronts a brand new jazz project called Jane Wiedlin and the Downtown Sensation. The band is a tribute to the great ladies of American song which include the works of Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee and more.
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Even with her busy acting and music projects, Wiedlin managed to catch the theatrical release of Revenge of the Sith on a very special day. "I saw it at 12:01 midnight, May 20, which happens to be my birthday!" Wiedlin reveals. "It was playing in Los Angeles at The Grove, and it's the first time I'd seen a movie there."
As she watched the film, Wiedlin says that she couldn't help but feel for the characters. "I was really sad that Padmé died," Wiedlin says. "But I think the most surprising thing was watching Hayden Christensen -- who in Episode II was kinda bratty -- get really evil and dark for Episode III. I was impressed with his acting. I have a lot of sympathy for Anakin, but ultimately, we all have to avoid the dark side, no matter how tempting. "
Now that the entire Star Wars saga is available on DVD, Wiedlin admits she's excited to watch them in a movie marathon. "It will be exciting to see them in order from Episode I to VI!" Wiedlin says. "But I don't believe in fast-forwarding; that's cheating!"
She might not approve of fast-forwarding through the films, but Wiedlin admits that the pause button might get a workout -- especially during the cantina scene in A New Hope, as well as the debut of Princess Leia's epic bikini scene in Return of the Jedi.
"That is the archetypal sci-fi bar scene!" Wiedlin says. "It's been copied many times but never bested! It still totally cracks me up, especially the musicians playing the horns. Too funny! I also loved Leia's metal bikini so much I had a similar costume fabricated for one of my music videos, 'World on Fire.'"
While Leia's fashion sense appeals to Wiedlin aesthetically, it's the dynamic droid duo that she identifies with the most. "The droids Threepio and R2-D2 are two of the most 'human' characters, in my mind," Wiedlin says. "Plus, they are these sort of innocents dragged into these crazy situations. Everyone else is so perfect and heroic; Threepio and Artoo are just regular people."
However given the choice of who would make a better member (or even groupie) of the Go-Go's, Wiedlin is quick to mention other characters. "I think Padmé would make an awesome Go-Go!" Wiedlin laughs. "And I would love to date Han Solo!"
The films' contribution to pop culture makes sense to Wiedlin who believes that Star Wars is more than just an epic space saga, but a gateway into the imaginations of millions of fans. "It's not just the special effects and the shoot-em-up battles," Wiedlin explains. "We as a culture have come to think of these characters and stories as part of our lives. The movies have a lot of heart, and the people involved in making them, from the actors to the behind-the-scenes folks, are some of the most gifted people of our time. George Lucas is my hero. I am so grateful he created Star Wars for us. I hope I can meet him one day and thank him personally."
To read more about Wiedlin and her upcoming projects (as well as her personal blog), visit the her official site here. Stay tuned to Star Wars Rocks for more interviews from some of your favorite bands and celebrities.
