The Runaways Pt 2

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Kim Fowley would like to take all the credit for what the Runaways achieved "they were guests in my idea." But its only half the story because it was the girls who made all the running and had the personalities while he was a sleazy little shit. Zero sales but cult status.  Sexy, competent musicians and an attitude. No wonder The Slits hated them. The Runaways kicked down the doors for women in Rock and they looked good and sounded good while they did it. Cynically manipulated by Fowley (constant threats of sackings to keep them submissive) and various managers (one of them was shagging three of them making the 16 year old Cherie Currie pregnant) they survived the odds and outgrew Fowley.

"The concept was Kim's. He wanted us to be young fuckable jailbait. Assholes still come up to us and think we get laid all the time. I just look at them and either I get angry or I think it's really funny. If they only knew..." Joan Jett Sounds 1.7.78

The Runaways though was the training ground for 2 out of 3 successful solo careers.

Joan Jett is just pure rock'n'roll; Youth, sex, rebellion all combine in her perfectly.  It was Joan who got into punk when they toured England, mixing with the Pistols and  overnight adopted the punk look and sound.  The Runaways covered the Pistol's Black Leather on their last album.

Joan Jett after borrowing from Suzi Quatro would help provide the look for Gaye Advert (see picture left). With the Runaways split, Joan produced the Germs and without doubt was a big influence on the '77 US punk scene and for later bands like the Bangles (one of whose members was originally in the Runaways) and L7.

Having achieved no success with the Runaways she deservedly reached the big time with 'I Love Rock 'N' Roll' and subsequent hits. She has knocked out some great songs including a great cover of 'Pretty Vacant'. She still plays and still looks horny as hell. Here latest stuff seems to be veering kind of sexual leftfield as cover cover right.
Lita Ford last remembered for her puppy fat teenage years would re-emerge mid eighties as a perfect figured American tanned blonde rock bitch with matching big hair to boot, have a hit album, sing with Ozzy Ozbourne, marry wildman Chris Holmes from WASP and disappear again.

 Click here for loads more Cherie

"I'm not a tough punk. My stage image was strictly theatrical....I'm ready to come back as a solo artist...I'd also like to get into films...I'm just tired of punk rock."
Sounds 20.8.77 On leaving the band.

Cherie's first project after leaving The Runaways was a solo album. The cover (right) continued her being sold as a wet dream, was produced by Kim Fowley and sank like a stone. .

In 1980 she was still releasing singles. The single right is with her sister Marie Messing With The Boys / Since You've Been Gone (a massive hit for Rainbow one year later). Later Cherie Currie got into acting in films and has had quite a few minor parts. Currently she has taken up chainsaw carving and still looks horny as hell!

The Runaways to reform? Rumours are always popping up? Joan Jett recently played again with Cherie Currie but seems uninterested in the whole thing. Vicki Blue made a film called Edgeplay about the Runaways that seems to have stirred up animosity again as Joan Jett refused to be in or to let any of her Runaways tracks be used in it.

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Respect To Mojo magazine May 2000 and Ben Edmonds excellent article.