Entertainment BEAT EXTRA - ROCK N ROLLERS NEVER DIE

Lita Ford - James and Rocco Gillette photo Joan Jett - Photo courtesy of Stephanie Cabral

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

A blast from the past emerges as former Runaways Lita Ford and Joan Jett resurface with new projects. The biggest surprise is the Runaways co-founder Kim Fowley continues to rock as well.

Friday December 26, 2008

THE BEAT GOES ON!

We've said it before and we'll say it again… when you look back on some of the careers of some of the talent that we've written about two things come to mind (1) The saying what goes around comes around is applicable and (2) What a small world it is.

That is the case of two press releases we received and the names rang a bell but the clarity wasn't there. Their names are, Joan Jett and Lita Ford. Visually I could picture them but I wasn't sure of the name of the group they were with. Their press releases didn't reveal much of their history that I was familiar with. Of course the next step is to do some research on the Internet and BANG there it was… The Runaways.

More remarkable was the name Kim Fowley appeared and he was a character with whom I was very familiar with during the late sixties flower power era. Fowley was an eccentric type who had wild hair and a loud exuberant personality.

When I first me him was when I went into record at a studio to audition some groups and he was there being recorded as an artist by Michael Lloyd on my recording time. After he finished his session he went on his way complaining as he went out the door. He later popped up in my life when I was involved with some projects with members of the Sir Douglas Quintet.

Fowley was often around pitching recording ideas. In that circle was a famed rock star at the time Gene Vincent whom Fowley eventually produced a critically acclaimed comeback album entitled I'm Back and I'm Proud.

During the 1970s Fowley also co-wrote songs for acts as diverse as KISS, Helen Reddy, Slade, Alice Cooper, Leon Russell and Kris Kristofferson. He also co-produced, with John Cale, the debut album by cult new-wavers the Modern Lovers. His efforts as a solo artist since 1970 have sold poorly. Fowley is featured in Mayor of the Sunset Strip, a 2003 documentary about influential LA DJ Rodney Bingenheimer who was also in that clique of musician/entertainers. Bingenheimer was a double for the Monkees David Jones on their TV series.

But Fowley was always coming up with ideas some wild some reasonable. Then came the wildest thing of all he was asking us to come and see his all girl group at the famed Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood. At that time all girl groups were unheard of. They were the very first that I know of who became popular and had some semi hits. They were followed by the Go Go's and the Bangles.

The group was good with strong players and strong vocals. The most accomplished musician was Lita Ford on lead guitar. Joan Jett played a decent rhythm guitar. Vocalist Cherie Currie was the most attractive and Sandy West played decent drums. As a group they put out a solid entertaining sound and performance. Eventually the group broke up and went their separate ways.

Fast forward to today both Jett and Ford have resurfaced and Fowley is alive and kicking in the record business. As the song goes Rock N Roll will Never Die and these Rock N Rollers continue to rock. So what's up with Jett and Ford? Here's the latest deal.... Iconic Rock Performer Joan Jett & Lita Ford's Slinky Syren Latex Styles

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED