It produced rock legends in Joan Jett and Lita Ford and the classic “Cherry Bomb.” So, how can a band that opened the door for female rockers to kick butt Well, consider that The Runaways were more popular in Japan than in the United States. The band also released four studio albums in two years, leading to burnout and disdain with management. The Runaways deservedly got their due after the fact, when the time had gone by, and the story was willing to be told. Still, this was one special, trendsetting group that deserved to be taken more seriously in real-time. The newly comprehensive 5CD clamshell box set of this pioneering all-female rock band The Runaways, bringing together four of their studio albums plus the “Live in Japan” album in one package for the first time.
Critically acclaimed but never receiving their due, The Runaways were formed in Hollywood in 1975, with the help of music svengali / producer Kim Fowley, becoming the first all female rock and roll band to actually make an impression on the record buying public and musicians alike.
The Runaways were originally hailed as a manufactured band due to Fowley’s involvement, However, their eponymous debut album soon proved their worth as musicians. With Joan Jett on rhythm guitar, Sandy West on drums, Lita Ford on lead guitar, Jackie Fox on bass and Cherie Currie on lead vocals, “The Runaways” (1976) contained tracks such as the snarling “Cherry Bomb” and the brilliant “American Nights” prove The Runaways rocked with the best of them – and with an average age of 16!!
Respected in their day by bands such as Blondie and The Ramones, and now cited as a major influence by bands such as Courtney Love, Bikini Kill, L7, The Donnas and Babes In Toyland The Runaways time has finally come!
CD1 features the band’s debut album ‘The Runaways’, released in June 1976, containing the single ‘Cherry Bomb’ which would become the band’s signature track and be voted No. 52 in VH1’s 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs list.
CD2 contains the band’s sophomore album ‘Queens Of Noise’, released in January 1977, which found their musical skills honed and the volume raised. Producer and engineer Earle Hankey, who had previously worked with The Beach Boys, Sparks and Elton John, found a sound that helped ‘Take It Or Leave It’, ‘Neon Angels On the Road to Ruin’ and ‘Love Playin’ With Fire’ become fan favourites.
CD3 is the band’s third album ‘Live In Japan’ released in August 1977. The album is comprised of performances from the three concerts in June 1977 in Japan where the band had become a massive success. The only official audio document of the band playing live it features incendiary versions of ‘Cherry Bomb’ ‘Queens Of Noise’, and ‘California Paradise’. This was the last album to feature lead singer Cherie Currie and was a fitting farewell.
CD4 features their fourth album ‘Waitin’ For The Night’ which has the band as a quartet for the first time with Joan Jett taking over as lead vocalist. The trimmed down line-up created a lean, tough record as can be evidenced from opening track ‘Little Sister’, ‘You’re Too Possessive’ and the title track. This album would be the last the band made while under the stewardship of the controversial Kim Fowley.
CD5 is the band’s last album, ‘And Now…The Runaways’, and although there was a lot going on behind the scenes as the band were falling apart, they still managed to deliver. ‘My Buddy And Me’ and ‘I’m a Million’ are standout originals and there are great covers of ‘Black Leather’ and ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’.
The Fat Angel Sings 