I finally saw the movie THE RUNAWAYS featuring Kristen Stewart [Joan Jett] and Dakota Fanning [Cherie Currie] which is about the all female teenage rock band The Runaways. Known as the pioneers of female rock n'roll, their famous hit "Cherry Bomb" catapulted them to international success, especially in Japan.
The Runaways were formed in 1975 by drummer Sandy West and rhythm guitarist Joan Jett who gave the idea of an all girl rock group to producer Kim Fowley who said, "I didn't put The Runaways together, I had an idea, they had 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." After adding lead guitarist Lita Ford and bassist Jackie Fox, their lead singer was found at Sugar Shack, a teenage nightclub.
After being signed to Mercury Records in 1976, they began playing numerous sold out shows they began headlining with opening acts like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Cheap Trick, and Van Halen. What's crazy is that each girl patterned themselves after their idols: Currie after David Bowie, Jett after Keith Richards and Suzi Quatro, Ford after a combination of Jeff Beck and Ritchie Blackmore, West after Roger Taylor, and Fox after Gene Simmons.
After Cherie Currie left the group, Joan Jett who also shared vocals took over as lead singer. The most notable members of the group was Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. Jett pursued her own solo career where she found success remaking the infamous song "I Love Rock n' Roll." She also made the list of Rolling Stone's "The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." After leaving The Runaways, she released a solo album in 1978 and a duet album with her sister Marie, as well as appearing in films. Besides working as a drug counselor for teens and personal fitness trainer, nowadays she is chainsaw carving while still doing music until Jett's label Blackheart Records.
The Runaways success has paved the way for many successful female artists and bands over the years in such a male dominated rock n' roll game.
CHERRY BOMB [live from Japan]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMDn6V7ZLhE
CALIFORNIA PARADISE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-uqYk4iFG0&feature=related
I LOVE PLAYIN WITH FIRE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-uqYk4iFG0&feature=related
QUEENS OF NOISE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-uqYk4iFG0&feature=related
I WANNA BE WHERE THE BOYS ARE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-uqYk4iFG0&feature=related
Seeing their concert footage is so amazing because they are known as one of the first if not thee first all girl rock band in a male dominated industry. Being all teenagers, they grew up quickly but held their own. Their style is raw and edgy, it's too intriguing for words. GIRLS ROCK!!!
You Just Do You, Imma Do Me
Camille
