The Runaways

Bio:

In the summer of 1974, a 15 year old Joan Jett was spending her free time at Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco in Hollywood getting turned on to glitter rock like Gary Glitter, David Bowie, and T. Rex. Joan told her friend Kari Krome, that she was looking to form an all girls band. Kari introduced her to, Kim Fowley, another frequent fixture at Rodney's. Soon, Sandy West, who's passions included surfing and drums, approached Kim Fowley on Sunset about forming an all girls band. Kim gave Joan's number to Sandy and the next week Joan was heading down to the beach to meet Sandy.

Kim agreed to help them find the other girls to join the band. By August the band had grown to four members with Micki Stelle on bass and Lita Ford on lead guitar. Lita had originally auditioned for the Bass player position, but since the position was filled, ended up as the bands lead guitarist.

With Kim as their manager, the three piece decided on the name, The Runaways and with in a few weeks had their first show at a local party.

That fall The Runaways played their first public show at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood.

In November, Joan and Kim met twin sisters Cherie and Marie Currie, not yet 16. Cherie came to audition for the band had no song to sing. On the spot, Joan and Kim wrote a song for Cherie to audition with....."Cherry Bomb". Singing the newly written song, Cherie got the job and became the lead singer. Shortly after, Micki Steele left the band and was replaced by Peggy Foster. By December, Peggy was replaced with Jackie Fox.

In February 1976 The Runaways are signed to Mercury Records and soon enter the studio to record The Runaways debut L.P. After their first album is rleased the band embarks on first U.S. tour. Highlights include the famous Agora Ballroom in Cleveland & CBGB's in NYC.

Band embarks on first European tour. Highlights include the famous Roundhouse in the UK and the Apollo in Scotland. Band returns to the U.S. and continues to tour. Highlights incldue the Royal Oak Theatre outside of Detroit with opening acts Cheap Trick and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.

The Band enjoyed features in numerous rock publications: such as Circus, Creem, Rolling Stone and even magazines like Playgirl and Choppers.

The Runaways second album, Queens of Noice, was co-produced by Sparks' guitarist Earle Mankey in 1977.

After wrapping up recording, they went out on the road again for their second US tour. Meanwhile, The Runaways were exploding in Japan. Cherry Bomb hit 1 in Japan and Australia, as well as being the 4 biggest selling act in Japan.

The mass hysteria of the arrival of The Runaways in Japan for their sold out tour, rivals the arrival of the Beatles in America. They were greeted by masses of adorning fans, screaming, crying, and pushing their way through the crowds for a chance to see the girls. Jackie quit the band and flew home to the states. Joan picjed up the bass for their biggest show to dat, the Tokyo Music Festival.

They released, Live in Japan, which became one of the highest selling imports of the '70s.

After returning home, the band returned to the studio to work on their third album, Waitin' for the Night. The band's lineup changed again, with Vicki Blue joining the band, replacing Jackie Fox. Joan took over lead singing duties replacing Cherie Currie, who left the band to pursue a solo career. Waitin' for the Night is the first release with Joan Jett on lead vocals. By the end of 1977, the band had parted ways with their manager, Kim Fowley.

The Runaways decide to disband in 1979, because of creative differences. Lita Ford and Sandy West started to do session work with John Alcock while Cherie Currie and her sister Marie released an L. P, Messin with the Boys on Capitol Records. Joan Jett returned to the UK to record a 3 song single with Sex Pistols' Steve Jones and Paul Cook.