The_Runaways

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Runaways The Runaways The Runaways Background information Origin Genre(s) Years active Associated acts United States Punk rock, hard rock[1] 1975–1979 Joan Jett & the Blackhearts Lita Ford The Bangles Sandy West Band Currie-Blue Band The Orchids Former members Joan Jett Sandy West (deceased) Micki Steele Peggy Foster Cherie Currie Lita Ford Jackie Fox Vicki Blue Laurie McAllister UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany. The career of the band was short (1975–1979), successful, and tempestuous. What made the Runaways unique was the musical strength and depth of influences each member brought to the group. Anchored by Sandy West’s muscular drumming, and fronted by Cherie Currie (Bowieesque in appearance and in terms of on-stage presence), the Runaways were the first ’girl band’ that showcased two great guitarists: Joan Jett’s ear-splitting rhythms and Lita Ford’s virtuoso leads gave them a sound that blended influences from Glam, Heavy-Metal, and Punk-Rock. Jackie Fox (heavily influenced by Kiss) augmented Sandy West’s drumming to give the band sufficient onstage power to pull it all off. Initially dismissed by American music critics and radio programmers as another one of Kim Fowley’s gimmicky acts, The Runaways proved in reality, to be excellent musicians[2], and "a young band whose vision has proved highly influential".[3] The Runaways have historical significance for being the first all-girl rock band to have hit songs, record platinum albums (at least 1,000,000 units sold), tour internationally, and acquire fame. The Beginning The Runaways were formed in late 1975 by drummer Sandy West and rhythm guitarist Joan Jett. They had introduced themselves (on separate occasions) to producer Kim Fowley stating their ideas to form an all-girl band. Fowley, who was always looking for the next big thing, gave Jett’s phone number to West. The two met on their own to discuss the possibilities. After rehearsing together, the pair contacted Fowley to let him hear the results. Fowley then helped the girls find the other members. Although Fowley, the ultimate hypemeister, would continue to take credit in the press for creating the band and the music, he would later admit, "I didn’t put The Runaways together, I had an idea, they had The Runaways were a teenage, American all-girl rock band that performed in the 1970s. The band is best known for the songs "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise", "Neon Angels (On the Road to Ruin)" and "Born to Be Bad". "Cherry Bomb" appeared on the movie soundtracks for Dawn, Portrait of a Teenage Runaway, Detroit Rock City, RV and Dazed and Confused. The band toured through America and Japan, also visiting the 1 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia ideas, we all met, there was combustion and out of five different versions of that group came the five girls who were the ones that people liked." Starting as a power trio with bassist Micki (Michael) Steele, the Runaways began the party and club circuit around Los Angeles. In 1976, they added 16-year-old lead guitarist Lita Ford and lead singer Cherie Currie to the lineup. Bassist Micki Steele left the group, later resurfacing in the hugely successful Bangles. An unknown local bassist named Peggy Foster took over on bass but also left after only a few weeks. Finally, Jackie Fox (who had originally auditioned for the lead guitar spot) was added on bass, and the line up was complete. The Runaways behind Led Zeppelin, ABBA, and Kiss in terms of album sales and popularity. The girls were unprepared for the onslaught of fans that greeted them at the airport. The mass hysteria was later described by guitarist Jett as being "like Beatlemania"[4]. While in Japan, The Runaways had their own TV special, did numerous television appearances and released a live album that went gold. While in Japan, bassist Jackie Fox left the band shortly before the group was scheduled to appear at the 1977 Tokyo Music Festival.[5] Jett temporarily took over bass duties and when the group returned home they replaced Fox with 17 year old Vicki Blue. Singer Cherie Currie then left the group and Jett, who previously shared vocals with Currie, took over lead vocals full time. The band released their 4th album, Waiting For The Night and started a world tour with their friends The Ramones. Currie released a solo LP Beauty’s Only Skin Deep, produced by Kim Fowley, and began a separate U.S. tour, which included her identical twin sister Marie. Fame The Runaways were signed to Mercury Records in 1976 and their debut album, The Runaways, was released shortly after. The band toured the US and played numerous sold out shows. They headlined shows with opening acts such as Cheap Trick, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, the Ramones, and Van Halen. The documentary Edgeplay revealed that each girl patterned herself after her idols: Currie patterned her look after David Bowie, Jett after Suzi Quatro and Keith Richards, Ford as a cross between Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and Jeff Beck, West after Queen drummer Roger Taylor, and Fox after Kiss bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons. Their second album, Queens of Noise was released in 1977 and the band began a world tour. The Runaways quickly became lumped in with the growing punk rock movement. The band (already fixtures on the west coast punk scene) formed alliances with east coast punk bands such as Blondie, The Ramones and The Dead Boys (via New York City’s CBGB’s) as well as the UK punk scene by hanging out with the likes of The Damned, Generation X and The Sex Pistols. Due to the band’s constant touring, they were in the unique position of being in the middle of the punk scene as it was breaking in two different countries, thus cementing their place in punk history. In the summer of 1977 the group arrived in Japan for a string of sold out shows. The Runaways were the number 4 imported music act in Japan at the time, only trailing Dissolution Due to disagreements over money and the management of the band, the Runaways and Kim Fowley parted ways in 1978. The group quickly hired new management, who also worked for Blondie and Suzi Quatro. When the group split with Fowley, they also parted with their record label Mercury/Polygram, to which their deal was tied. In the Edgeplay documentary, members of the group (especially Fox and Currie) as well as the parents of Currie and West, have accused Fowley and others assigned to look after the band of using divide and conquer tactics to keep control of the band, as well as verbal and sexual abuse of the band members. Bassist Vicki Blue left the group and was replaced by Laurie McAllister. The band reportedly spent much time enjoying the excesses of the rock n’ roll lifestyle during this time. They partnered with Thin Lizzy producer John Alcock, (after, ironically, Jett’s future partner Kenny Laguna turned down the job) to record their last album And Now ... The Runaways. The band played their last concert on New Year’s Eve 1978 and broke up in April 1979. 2 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Runaways Line-ups Lita (Joan Jett) Ford Lita 7-8 Vicki Blue Ford returned as a solo artist to Polygram in the 1980s, where she released sever8-12 al albums before pairing with manager Shar1978 1-9 on Osbourne. She also had success with 9-12 Laurie songs like "Kiss Me Deadly" and "Close My Eyes McAllister Forever" (the second a duet with Shar1979 1-4 on’s husband Ozzy Osbourne). She is currently married to former Nitro singer Jim Gillette. They have two young sons. After a long hiatus, Ford staged a comeback, performing at Rock The Bayou, and other hard-rock festJoan Jett ivals during the summer of 2008. Joan Jett went on to become a partner and work with producer and former Shondell (as Cherie Currie in Tommy James And The Shondells ) Kenny Cherie Currie went on to start an acting caLaguna. They formed The Blackhearts and reer. She appeared in movies with Jodie their own record label, Blackheart Records in Foster (Foxes), Demi Moore (Parasite), The 1980. The label still continues to release alTwilight Zone the Movie, as well as others bums by The Blackhearts, and also other new and released a 1978 solo music album enup and coming bands. Jett went on to have titled Beauty’s Only Skin Deep and a 1980 massive success with the Arrows song "I duet album with her sister Marie and the Love Rock ’N’ Roll" as well as other hits such band Toto called Messin’ With The Boys. Curas "Crimson and Clover", "Bad Reputation" rie married actor Robert Hays (Airplane); and "I Hate Myself For Loving You". Blackthey had a son together, but split up in 1997. heart Records was formed in response to Jett Currie still performs and records but her curgetting rejected by major record labels. Jett rent passion is chainsaw carving. She has an also co-starred in the 1987 film Light of Day art gallery in Chatsworth, California where [7] and appeared in the with Michael J. Fox, her works are currently on display. 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror 6-7 diagnosed with cancer in 2005 and, after many treatments, succumbed to the disease Year[6] Month Drums, Rhythm Bass in October 2006. A memorial tribute concert Lead Vocals & percussion guitar guitarfeaturing The Sandy West Band, Cherie guitar keyboards & vocals & Currie, The Bangles, The Donnas, Carmine vocals Appice, Vinny Appice, and several others, 1975 8-10 Sandy West Joan Jett Micky was held in Los Angeles[9]. Steele 10-11 Lita Micki Steele Ford 11-12 Peggy Cherie Micki Steele Currie the all girl band the joined Foster Bangles in the early 1980s and went on to 12 Jackie huge success with songs like "Walk Like an Fox 1976 1-12 Egyptian" and "Eternal Flame". 1977 1-6 Post-breakup Show as Columbia.[8] Sandy West Sandy West continued her association with John Alcock once the group disbanded. She and Lita Ford attempted to record some music, but nothing materialized. She formed the Sandy West Band and toured California throughout the ’80s and ’90s. She also did session work with John Entwistle of The Who and became a drum teacher. West was Jackie Fox Jackie Fox went to Harvard and became a lawyer. She has lived abroad and is an amateur photographer. Vicki Blue Vicki Blue, now known as Victory Tischler Blue, briefly had a band with singer Cherie Currie in the early ’80s (Currie-Blue Band), but never released an album, though they did 3 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia appear together in the film This is Spinal Tap. After leaving The Runaways, she shifted her focus to film & television production eventually becoming a producer/director for several reality and magazine based television shows, including Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood & Real Stories of the Highway Patrol - receiving an Emmy nomination along the way. She went on to form Sacred Dogs Entertainment - a motion picture production company and released a documentary on The Runaways called Edgeplay: A Film About The Runaways. "Edgeplay" went on to win numerous awards and became the highest rated rock documentary film on the Showtime Networks. In 2005, Victory Tischler-Blue directed "Naked Under Leather", a documentary about fellow female rocker, Suzi Quatro.[10] Focusing on music driven productions, she is currently executive producing a network special: The Bee Gees "Unbroken Fever" - The 30th Anniversary of Saturday Night Fever (2007). Additionally, Tischler-Blue and ex bandmate Lita Ford have teamed up together with Ford recording music for "El Guitarista", an animated series that Sacred Dogs Entertainment is producing. The Runaways musicians.[12] The Runaways success paved the way for many successful female artists and female bands over the past 30 years, including The Go-Go’s,[13] Sahara Hotnights,[14] L7,[15] and especially The Donnas, to enter the male dominated arena of rock music. They are named as influences by several male and female artists, including Courtney Love, White Flag,[16] and Rhino Bucket who acknowledged The Runaways influence on their music during their performance at the December 2006 tribute concert honoring Sandy West. The Runaways, a biographical film based on the band, is anticipated to begin production in spring of 2009.[17] Actress Kristen Stewart is signed to play Jett, and Dakota Fanning is in negotiations to play Currie. Art Linson, John Linson and Bill Pohlad are the film’s producers, and Jett is an executive producer.[17] The film is written and to be directed by Floria Sigismondi,[17] and is slated for a 2010 release.[18] Stewart said that she hopes to be able to sing some of the songs in the film.[19] Discography • • • • • • • • • The Runaways (1976), #194 US Queens of Noise (1977), #172 US Live in Japan (1977) Waitin’ for the Night (1977) And Now... The Runaways (1978), international release Flaming Schoolgirls (1980), compilation Little Lost Girls (1981), re-sequenced U.S. version of And Now... The Runaways The Best Of The Runaways (1982) Born to be Bad (1993), compilation of early demos Laurie McAllister Laurie McAllister joined another Kim Fowley all-girl band, The Orchids, who released one poorly received LP in 1980. The Original Orchids members were Laurie Bell on Drums, Jan King on Vocals, Laurie McAllister on Bass, Sunbie Sinn, and Sandy Fury (a 13 year old rocker from Beverly Hills on Rhythm Guitar and background vocals). Che Zuro replaced Sandy Fury (also see: Risciso ) who went on to appear on New Wave Theatre as The Clique with bassist Mark Frere from Steppenwolf. * Sandy Fury TV appearance on New Wave Theatre with Mark Frere Laurie McAllister lives in Oregon and no longer performs music. References [1] http://www.allmusic.com/cg/ amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:difwxqr5ldke [2] L.A. Weekly article announcing the Sandy West Benefit concert (December 8 - 14, 2006 issue) [3] The Guardian (United Kingdom) October 25, 2006 [4] notes and information from Edgeplay: A film about The Runaways [5] All Right You Guys (VIDEO) [6] Runaways Timeline | TheRunaways.com | The Official Runaways Website [7] Light Of Day at Internet Movie Database. Influence The Guardian-UK called The Runaways "a young band whose vision has proved highly influential"[11], and L.A. Weekly called The Runaways an "enormously influential band.", noting that after The Runaways success, everything had changed for female rock 4 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [8] Joan Jett bio at Internet Movie Database [9] Sandy West Memorial Concert details and list of performers. [10] Naked Under Leather (2004) [11] The Guardian UK (England). October 23, 2006] Obituary for Sandy West. [12] L.A. Weekly, December 8-14, 2006, p.127 [13] Allmusic.com entry for The Go-Go’s [14] Allmusic.com entry for Sahara Hotnights [15] Allmusic.com entry for L7 [16] White Flag’s Official site, and their Myspace web sites [17] ^ Fleming, Michael (March 4, 2009). "Dakota Fanning fronts ’Runaways’; Actress also set to play vamp in ’New Moon’". Variety. http://www.variety.com/ article/VR1118000849.html. Retrieved on March 20, 2009. [18] The Runaways (2010) at the Internet Movie Database [19] "Kristen Stewart: Jett-ing Through A Twilight Adventureland". The Runaways SuicideGirls.com. 1 April 2009. http://suicidegirls.com/interviews/ Kristen%20Stewart:%20Jetting%20Through%20A%20Twilight%20Adventureland Retrieved on 2009-04-01. . • Includes information from the official Website of The Runaways and the band members websites. External links • Official website • Michael Steele on the official Bangles Website • The Runaways on RollingStone.com • The Runaways on Rhapsody.com • Official Website for Edgeplay: A Film About the Runaways • The Runaways Allmusic.com entry • The Runaways Working title: Neon Angels (2009). Internet Movie Database page. Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Runaways" Categories: 1970s music groups, All-women bands, American female singers, Pre-punk groups This page was last modified on 15 May 2009, at 05:14 (UTC). All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details.) Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) taxdeductible nonprofit charity. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers 5