Rock and roll was just the beginning for the legendary vocalist Cherie Currie.  She is a pioneer who someday will reside in the rock hall of fame along with her seminal band The Runaways that included Lita Ford, Joan Jett, Sandy West and Jackie Fox.  The Runaways were not the first all-female band to enter rock and roll but the most noted as they gained international fame becoming the fourth most popular band in the world after the release of their second LP Queens of Noise back in 1977 on only their second supporting tour bringing jail bate rock to the fore front of the music headlines as teenage girls with Currie performing the band’s most noted song Cherry Bomb, dressed in a corset and stockings on stage.  Just as the Runaways sent shock waves throughout the music world with their style of music they set the stage for other women to follow and played hot and sweaty, dirty rock and roll.  That was something that challenged not just the music industry but society itself. Yes, a band that inspired generations to come.  

 

After leaving the Runaways Currie went on to acting, writing a best-selling book, drug counseling and chainsaw sculpting before getting back into music in 2010.  In 2010 with the release of the movie, The Runaways, based on her book Neon Angel: Memoir of a Runaway, Currie signed a record deal and recorded with an all-star cast only to have it never mastered and released.

 

Currie has overcome the struggles of the dark side of rock and roll, rape and drug addiction, yet has triumphed to set an example for girls (and guys) everywhere to follow in believing in yourself and finding a way to overcome obstacles and build a successful life.  She is a living example and if you ever get the opportunity to see her perform live or meet her in person—you will discover first hand why she rocks.  If anyone can attest to this, this writer had the opportunity to witness Currie perform with the Runaways on more than one occassion in the mid 70's and was equally blown away by her latest peformance with the Cherie Currie band in 2013.  She is one performer you need to witness and experience live.  There is plenty of great music  and many trips down the Runaways memory lane with a spectacular performance--and as Curry knows best--still sweaty rock and roll!!

 
The redemption tour was on In 2013 as Currie could wait no longer and  decided to walk away from her label and manager and go out on her own and play what she knows best- rock and roll.   After a successful slate of shows over the summer Currie is ready to kick off the second leg of the tour on November 6th in New York City at the Gramercy Theatre.

 
With her record release still in limbo and the demand for her performances building Currie posted the following message on her Facebook page stating, “There have been a lot of stories flying around, mostly negative about my album and why it isn't out. I feel I owe you an explanation since you have patently waited as I have since it was recorded late 2010-2011. "You see, I just wanted to get out there and play for you again. After 30 years, with the movie, my book, and then a successful show opening for Joan [Jett] in 2010, the time was right for me to make a record, if I was ever going to again. I was ready to get back in the game but when you put your hopes, dreams, and your career in someone else's hands, it's a risk that can be disappointing and frustrating so I have sat on the sidelines waiting for a record that still isn't mastered. That has been very, very hard since all I wanted was embrace and perform the music I loved from my past, of course by THE RUNAWAYS, the music you love to listen to with some new material. Had I known my record company would hold the record this long, I would have gone a different route, but that's water under the bridge.  It wasn't supposed to be this complicated. It was supposed to be fun. I did what my management told me to do and that meant I wait. No playing, no nothing. I don't think I'm unreasonable thinking three years is long enough. This record may never come out. I've [accepted] that now. It's a huge disappointment since it has some great songs that Matt Sorum, Nick Maybury, Grant Fitzpatrick, Jake Hays, Lanny Cardola, Billy Corgan, THE VERONICAS, Brody Dalle and many others worked hard on with RUNAWAYS fans in mind. I'm learning that even though you can't make others do what you think is right and you feel discouraged, it is our choice to get off the sidelines and back in the game.”

 

The Runaways were active from 1975 to 79 with Currie on lead vocals for the first 2 and a half years before leaving and falling to drugs and emotional distress.  For those who are new to the Runaways Currie said, “Well, you know there are people who are very young folks and they are listening to all of the albums and they really love the music.  What I loved about the Runaways and the difference between our band and what is happening today and you look at these programs like The Voice and American Idol and there are so many of those kids as extraordinarily talented as they are it is very hard to be like them unless you are extraordinarily gifted.  With the Runaways it was simple chords, hard hitting songs that any kid could do and I think that is what transformed the Runaways because you could play the songs and it resonates. It was raw and it was real.”
 
Today the idea of an all-female band is no longer out of the ordinary.  Many can thank Currie and the Runaways for opening the door for their success.  “I kind of think that the Runaways did that and especially when Madonna was up there and the corset and everyone was like she was the first one to be wearing a corset and I was like, NO, I was.  I was the first.  And for her to say that and she knew who we were but she never stepped up and said well, Cherie Currie was the first to wear the corset—you know, people always want to be the first.  If Madonna ever listened to the music and for sure new who we were it would have been nice to get a shout out from her but that never happened... And other bands like the Go Go’s that openly said the Runaways were an influence and that really set me back!  Wow, that is so neat!  Thank you!”  LOL
 
“I just want to pass along that the Runaways are a band that long after I thought we were dead and buried that I want to thank a lot of them for having a lot more faith in this band than any of the band members actually have.  Just for keeping the memory alive and I want to thank them for that.”
 

Currie has also teamed up with former Runaway Lita Ford and recorded a new song called Rock This Christmas Down to appear on Ford’s upcoming album. The two can be seen in photos on her Facebook page together with former Runaways manager Kim Fowley. While a Runaways reunion may not be a guarantee you can look forward to possibly more from the two rockers together in the future. Currie was honored recently at the 6th Annual Malibu Music Awards in October with a Rock Legend Award recognizing her achievement in music. The Malibu Music Awards honors the success and achievements of unique musical artists who have made significant contributions to the music industry in the past year.

 

For anyone who has never witnessed The Runaways or Currie mark your calendars because although years have passed her ability to rock with the best and put on a show that will leave audiences breathless--now is an opportunity to discover her music and energetic performance like never before. Delivering hard rock and roll that includes plenty of music of the Runaways in a way only she can perform, Currie will blow you away with an intense performance that you have to see. She is backed by a great band that includes her own son Jake Hays on drums, Nick Maybury on lead guitar, Grant Fitzpatrick on bass and Mayuko Okai on guitar.