Lita Ford - Living Like a Runaway
by Lisa Torem
published: 9 / 6 / 2021
intro
In her ‘Raging Pages’ book column Lisa Torem reflects upon ex-Runaways’ guitarist Lita Ford’s 2016 autobiography, ‘Living Like a Runaway’.
In the foreword to ‘Living Like a Runaway’, the former Twisted Sister member Dee Snider recalls his first honest listen to the all-female band The Runaways. Although Snider was at first dismissive about the group, he got excited when “a driving, chugging guitar came blaring out of my speakers”. Twisted Sister and the Runaways were touring mates, and Snider came away with a clear comprehension of the metal queens’ talents. Ford moved on from being the Runaways’ lead guitarist to forge a career as a groundbreaking player who would far exceed what pop society expected from a female instrumentalist during her time. In fact, as Snider bluntly says: “Let’s face it, up to that point, with rare exception, a “female rocker” was pretty much viewed as an oxymoron.” To rise above these low expectations - and markedly sexist assumptions - Ford had to assume an aggressive stance. That defiance as well as her myopic vision is revealed, and then rekindled, in each chapter. At ten, she thumbed her nose at the nylon-stringed acoustic guitar her mother bought, and she also disparaged her conventional music teacher, deciding to teach herself. Ford seemed to thrive on danger. Although she had a choice of where to complete her secondary education, she settled in on the more dangerous option, describing her high school as “more a prison yard than a high school”. But as fate would have it this is where she met three young men who encouraged her musicianship. “Police helicopters were starting to circle,” she recalled about her unorthodox “sweet sixteen” party which ultimately attracted a raucous crowd, causing her card-playing relatives to shout above the noise. This was an early sign that showed how much Ford enjoyed bucking convention. Fast forward to a promising call from braggart Kim Foley, who got Ford situated with two other teens: drummer Sandy Pesavento (later West) and rhythm guitarist Joan Jett. Ford and Pesavento relished hard rock riffs and bonded immediately. With Jett, well, not so much: “Joan liked more glitter-rock stuff.” But there was more scouting to do. Foley’s search to find “a blond Mick Jagger” came in the form of singer Cherry Curie. Finally, bassist Jackie Fuchs came aboard and the Runaways were ready to be signed by Mercury Records. Their international touring days brought out weird behavior in their male fans: “The guys were going nuts, turning over cars, throwing knives and condoms on stage”. But behind the scenes, there was plenty of in-fighting. Ford frequently got upset with Cherie, whom she accused of blowing off interviews, leaving Lita and company with too much on their plates. Ford ultimately embarked upon a solo career and became a mother, but that latter part of her life, despite her devotion to her sons, was wracked with dramatic custody battles which left her misunderstood and emotionally depleted. The book includes a beautiful section of glossy black and white and color photos, which draw together stellar moments of Ford’s personal and professional life. The photo section also serves as a welcoming respite, as this fast-paced book rarely slows down. ‘Living Like a Runaway’ is a steroidal read which holds no prisoners. ‘Raging Pages’ thinks every metal-fan’s nightstand should hold Lita Ford’s lickety-split read.
Also In Raging Pages
Beatles (2022)
Benjamin Orr (2018)
Bernard Purdie (2015)
Billy Bragg (2017)
Billy J. Kramer (2016)
Bob Boilen (2016)
Bob Dylan (2018)
Bob Marley (2019)
Brian Wilson (2017)
Byrds (2024)
Clive Davis (2015)
Common (2020)
Damned (2021)
Don Short (2020)
Donovan (2022)
Elliott Murphy (2019)
Elvis Costello (2015)
Felix Cavaliere (2022)
Frank Sinatra (2023)
Frank Zappa (2017)
Gary Wright (2014)
Gene Simmons (2015)
Geoff Emerick (2018)
George Harrison (2022)
George Martin (2019)
Graham Nash (2023)
Ian Mclagan (2016)
Iron Maiden (2014)
Jann Wenner (2019)
Jerry Lee Lewis (2015)
Jerry Nolan (2018)
Jim Summaria and Mark Plotnick (2019)
Jimmy Webb (2022)
Joe Perry (Aerosmith) (2014)
John Lennon (2017)
Kinks (2014)
Lani Hall Alpert (2019)
Laurence Juber (2014)
Liberty DeVitto (2021)
Lisa Robinson (2021)
Little Anthony (2014)
Louise Harrison (2015)
Luke Haines (2024)
Manic Street Preachers (2017)
Mary Wilson (2021)
Michael Bloomfield (2020)
Michael Dorf (2019)
Miscellaneous (2014)
Ozzy Osbourne (2014)
Pamela Des Barres (2017)
Paul McCartney (2020)
Peter Doherty (2014)
Renee Rosen (2018)
Richard Balls (2018)
Rick Wakeman (2023)
Ringo Starr (2015)
Robby Krieger Band (2022)
Roger Daltrey (2020)
Rolling Stones (2016)
Ronnie Wood (2015)
Roy Bond (2023)
Sam Phillips (2018)
Sean Madigan Hoen (2014)
Silas House (2020)
Spencer Vignes (2017)
Spirit (2023)
Suzi Quatro (2023)
Sylvain Sylvain (2018)
Thin Lizzy (2016)
Tommy James (2021)
Tori Amos (2020)
U2 (2021)
Who (2014)
Will Romano (2015)
Woody Woodmansey (2018)
Zz Top (2014)
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/litaofficialhttps://twitter.com/litaford
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lita_Ford
Play in YouTube:-
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Madeline Bell - Interview
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Jimmy Nail - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Deep Purple - =1
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Popstar - Obscene
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart