INTERVIEW: Lita Ford lives life like a Runaway
British-born and Los Angeles-raised Lita Ford has built an unparalleled music career in the unique profession of rock. As a member of the influential 1970s band The Runaways, she made an impact with her lead-guitar playing over several albums. Her solo career, which includes the new album Time Capsule, brings her around the world on a seemingly nonstop tour. From Sweden to the United Kingdom to the United States, the location of her gigs are far and varied, evidence of her continued power in the industry and obvious adoration from scores of fans.
This year is shaping up to be a banner one for Ford. In addition to Time Capsule, which finds her releasing archival collaborations with Billy Sheehan, Roger Carter, Dave Navarro, Jeff Scott Soho, Rick Nielsen, Robin Zander and Gene Simmons, Ford recently released her memoir, Living Like a Runaway. The book takes the same name as her 2012 album. Inside these pages is a behind-the-scenes look at her time with The Runaways, her solo career, the music industry in the 1970s and 1980s, her struggles and her triumphs.
On a PledgeMusic.com page for the memoir, Ford writes that her life has seen “ups and downs, each turn more extreme than the last.” Today, she has the perspective to look back on these life experiences and life lessons as she continues to bring her rock to fans in 2016.
“Time Capsule [features] some very special songs I had waiting in the wings, to be released whenever the time was right,” Ford wrote Hollywood Soapbox in an email. “They have so many wonderful musicians on these songs that I had to share it with the fans. It’s a gift basically. I know how many people miss or missed those days in music.”
As far as the memoir, Ford stated that her one-of-a-kind story is one she knew people needed to read. As she put it, in a man’s world, she was able to break through the fire and carve a path for others. The memoir features her thoughts on the good times and the bad times, encompassing bullies, jealousy and her support over the years.
For the guitarist, The Runaways are in the past, but she admitted they helped shape today’s rock ‘n’ roll scene. They were the first all-female band to “come out and stir up trouble,” she stated. “I am proud to have been their lead guitarist.”
She is hoping that Life Like a Runaway will one day be adapted for movie theaters.
In between releasing new albums and writing her memoir, Ford is on the road, touring throughout the world. “The excitement of touring is really what it’s all about; the energy that comes off the stage and the fun we have keeps me going,” she stated. “[T]he airlines suck. Touring is a challenge; it keeps us tight as a band, our chops up, and the fans keep coming back for more. Ya gotta love that.”
Ford, whose catalog includes many songs in the 1980s, believes that decade has been unfairly criticized for its musical output. She said the 1980s had a vibe unlike any other decade. She pointed out its real arena rock, great music and the sex, drugs and partying.
“So the ’90s everyone rebelled by going bald, cutting off their hair as short as can be and started looking like nerds, not rock stars,” she stated. “Personally, I’d rather have a beautiful head full of hair than be bald.”
Ford doesn’t like the ongoing talks of the 1980s and 1990s competing against each other. In her mind, the two decades had different styles of music. “The ’80s ruled and always will,” she stated. “I don’t know too much about the ’90s music scene. I wasn’t interested because not much was interesting to me then. I didn’t like being put down for decades of hard work and for simply having hair. Plus, I had already been on the road for two decades and had seen and heard a lot more than most. I walked away from the music scene in the ’90s when I became pregnant with my first son. I went on to be a mother to my two sons whom were a whole lot more important to me.”
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Click here for more information on Lita Ford. Answers have been slightly edited for style.
