The Runaways

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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.
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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 …

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