The Runaways

Play Radio
Listen to The Runaways Radio, featuring artists like Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Runaways, Joan Jett, Suzi Quatro and more…

2,635,902 plays (164,298 listeners)

Shop now at Amazon | Send The Runaways Ringtones to Cell
Buy
Add to my Library

Los Angeles, United States (1975 – 1979)

The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band from Los Angeles, California, who performed from 1975 to 1979. Believed at the time to have been a novelty act formed by producer Kim Fowley, who thought the notion of five teenage girls dressed in leather and lingerie performing heavy metal music was highly marketable, the band released its eponymous first album in 1976.

The band’s lineup was:

* Cherie Currie, lead vocals and keyboards
* Joan Jett, rhythm guitar and vocals
* Lita Ford, lead guitar

* Jackie Fox, bass guitar and vocals
* Sandy West, drums and vocals

Despite the apparent “jailbait on the run” gimmick, the girls in the band were proficient at playing their instruments and wrote or co-wrote most of the band’s material and, as later became obvious, were serious about their music. Their best known song is 1976’s “Cherry Bomb” which has been covered by many other bands, including the punk band Bratmobile.

The Runaways made five albums and went through several personnel changes. Michael Steele was briefly part of the band before their first album, and later joined The Bangles. In 1977 Vicki Blue replaced Jackie Fox on bass guitar and Joan Jett took over as lead singer after the departure of Cherie Currie. In 1978 Laurie McAllister replaced Vicki Blue. The band broke up in 1979.

Jett and Ford both went on to achieve substantial success as solo artists in the 1980s.
Read more… Edit bio

Popular tags: , , , ,  See more

Share this artist:

Top Albums

See more

Top Tracks

1
1,807
2
487
3
373
4
277
5
272
6
266
7
263
8
250
9
241
10
230
11
225
12
224
13
222
14
204
15
184
Buy all tracks at Amazon MP3
See more

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).
See all 860 shouts

Videos

See more

News

Laurie Hoyt-McAllister

30 Aug 2011 | from therunaways.com

Laurie Hoyt-McAllister, the last bassist for The Runaways and bassist for The Orchids, passed away on August 25th, 2011. Our greatest sympathy goes out to Laurie’s family and loved ones during …

Add comment

See more

Listening Now

Top Listeners

See more

More Information

Links
Band Members
Labels

Email Newsletter

Universal Music Group Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on The Runaways from Universal Music.