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EXCLUSIVE FEATURE, ROCKIN’ EVENTS

NEON ANGEL

In September, the Sunset Strip welcomes back music icon Cherie Currie to rock the Rainbow.

If you were lucky enough to catch Cherie Currie‘s electrifying performance during “Ultimate Jam Night” at the Whisky a Go-Go back in 2023, you already know the woman doesn’t simply perform Runaways songs—she detonates them.

For a couple glorious hours, the Sunset Strip wasn’t in 2023 anymore. It was 1977. The air felt smoky. The guitars sounded louder. The ghosts of platform boots, leather jackets, satin corsets, and teenage rebellion seemed to be hanging around the Whisky like they never left. And honestly, where else could this happen?

Cherie Currie

CHERRY BOMBS AWAY: Cherie Curry at the Whisky, 2023. 🍒

One minute you’re dodging tourists taking selfies outside the Whisky, and the next you’re watching the original voice of one of rock’s most influential all-female bands tear into songs that helped change music history.

Now, Currie is returning to her old Sunset Strip stomping grounds when she co-headlines the Rainbow Bar & Grill’s annual parking lot party on September 6 alongside Stephen Pearcy of Ratt. That’s right—the voice of The Runaways and the voice of “Round and Round” sharing a stage on the Sunset Strip. Somewhere, every cassette tape from 1984 is smiling.

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LIVE SHOWS, ROCKIN’ EVENTS

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Sunset Strip legends Stephen Pearcy of Ratt & Cherie Currie of The Runaways return to WeHo to rock the Rainbow, Sept. 6!

One of the Sunset Strip’s most historied rock ‘n’ roll institutions is pulling out all the stops once again. The iconic Rainbow Bar & Grill is bringing back its annual “Party in the Parking Lot” on Sept. 6, and this year’s lineup is absolutely stacked.

Headlining the free outdoor bash is Sunset Strip legend Stephen Pearcy of Ratt (seen above performing at Rainbow’s “Backyard Bash” in 2015), joined by the equally iconic Cherie Currie of The Runaways (pictured below at Whisky A Go-Go’s “Ultimate Jam Night” in 2023). The day also features performances by Eyehategod, Flotsam & Jetsam, Agent Orange, Murder One (Tribute to Motörhead), and a lineup of killer local and national acts.

Cherie Currie

If you’ve never experienced a Rainbow parking lot party, expect a full day of loud guitars, cold beer, and hundreds of rock and metal fans celebrating one of Los Angeles’ most famous music landmarks. These events have become a Sunset Strip tradition, and they always pack the house.

Admission is free, although a prepaid two-drink minimum is required at the gate. Get there early enough and you might even score one of the event’s coveted free T-shirts.

RATT N’ ROLL: Robbin Crosby, Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer, Stephen Pearcy, and Juan Croucier circa 1985.

The Rainbow Bar & Grill is located at 9015 W. Sunset Blvd. in the heart of West Hollywood. Gates open at 1 p.m., but don’t be surprised if the line starts forming hours beforehand. That’s what happens when one of L.A.’s most beloved rock ‘n’ roll parties comes to town.

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ROCKIN' NEWS

HOLLYWOOD HEAT

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The Runaways’ ‘Cherry Bomb’ has Cherie Currie clapping back at Joan Jett over who truly ‘owns’ respect for 1976 classic.

It’s a bombshell no one saw coming—a clash that threatens to tarnish the legendary camaraderie of rock’s first and greatest all-female band, The Runaways.

On November 25, Joan Jett’s official X account dropped a sleek, original video featuring explosive cherry bomb art layered over a live recording of Jett covering The Runaways’ 1976 classic “Cherry Bomb.” The clip has racked up nearly 14,000 views and 500 likes, but not everyone is cheering. Most notably, former Runaways frontwoman Cherie Currie. whose voice made the original track a timeless rock anthem, isn’t exactly thrilled.

Currie wasted no time sharing her frustration in the comments, firing off a searing reply:

“I OWN CHERRY BOMB! For f*ck sake…Why don’t you give credit where credit is due. Damn you ppl.”

The tension here is deeper than just a fiery tweet. While Jett co-wrote the track with the L.A. band’s notorious manager, Kim Fowley, it was Currie’s iconic vocals and kick-ass attitude that cemented “Cherry Bomb” as a cultural touchstone.

Cherie Currie helped The Runaways land their first hit in 1976 with “Cherry Bomb.”

The song itself has a spontaneous origin story: According to the 2005 documentary Edgeplay: A Film About The Runaways, it was written on the spot for Currie’s audition after the band struggled to play her prepared track.

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LIVE SHOWS

ROCKIN’ IS FUNDAMENTAL

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Cherie Currie
THE RUNAWAYS’ CHERIE CURRIE TALKS BOOKS & BEATS, JUNE 6 IN SANTA MONICA

The RunawaysOn June 6 in Santa Monica, the night will not be all about “Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!” when The Brady Bunch star Susan Olsen, who played Cindy on the classic TV show, interviews rock icon Cheri Currie of the groundbreaking all-girl rock band The Runaways (pictured right in 1977).

Beginning at 2 p.m. at the Santa Monica Bay Women’s Club Ballroom, the showcase is part of the Santa Monica Library‘s 2015 Adult Summer Reading series and will focus on Currie’s best-selling 1989 memoir, Neon Angel.

Dakota FanningThe special event is free to fans and will also feature a showing of the 2010 movie The Runaways, which stars Dakota Fanning as Currie (right) and is based on Neon Angel, followed by a chat between pop culture legends Currie and Olsen.

Currie is also celebrating the release of her rockin’ new album, Reverie, her first full-album release since 1980’s Messin’ with the Boys.

Get more information about the Santa Monica event here.

ROCKIN' NEWS

Reigniting the Cherry Bomb

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RUNAWAYS ROCKER CHERIE CURRIE DROPS DETAILS ON FIRST SOLO RELEASE IN THREE DECADES

Legendary Sunset Strip rock refugee Cherie Currie posted a Facebook update late Tuesday about her long-awaited new album, which was due in 2011 but had been pushed back indefinitely…until recently.

The Runaways singer’s last release was 1980’s Messin’ with the Boys, a polished pop-rock follow up to her 1978 solo debut, Beauty’s Only Skin Deep. Recorded with her twin sister, Marie Currie, Boys includes the dynamic duo’s killer cover of the rock classic “Since You Been Gone.”

“Just got home from another mixing day on my new record… IT’S SO F-ING FANTASTIC!!!!” Currie posted on October 9. “Never in my wildest DREAMS did I think is would be THIS AMAZING!! Thom Panunzio is mixing it. Yes, the legend and Matt Sorum has done an absolutely incredible job making this record! I’m SPEECHLESS! Thank you Kenny Laguna for getting Thom involved in what will be the greatest album I have ever participated in!! We are releasing the beginning of next year!!!”

Can’t wait to hear the new material, which Sorum has previously revealed will feature guest spots by his Velvet Revolver bandmates Slash and Duff McKagan and Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan.

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Cheri Currie’s Crusade

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Cheri Currie

ART WITH HEART: A ROCKIN’ TRIBUTE TO KELLY THOMAS

The Runaways‘ legendary frontwoman Cherie Currie is also a rockin’ chainsaw artist and made this bench to auction off to benefit a foundation set up in memory of Kelly Thomas, the mentally challenged homeless man that was beaten and killed by Fullerton police last year.

Currie had been keeping fans in the loop while creating the awesome work of art, posting pictures on her Facebook throughout her creative process.

Let’s hope Cherie also carves out some time for a potential Runaways reunion!

ROCKIN' NEWS

Runaways Talk Reunion

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Runaways

HELLO WORLD, THEY’RE YOUR WILD GIRLS…AND NOW, THE RUNAWAYS MAY BE COMING BACK TO ROCK YOU AGAIN

Rock fans have already witnessed once-feuding members of iconic superstar bands like Fleetwood Mac and L.A.’s Van Halen and the Eagles bury the hatchet and regroup for sold-out reunion tours.

And now comes word that another great L.A. group once torn apart by personal turmoil within the band is hinting at a reconciliation.

Lita FordHeavy metal vixen Lita Ford (right) mentions in a new Los Angeles Times interview that she has been in recent contact with her former Runaways bandmates Joan Jett and Cheri Currie and is jonsing for a rockin’ reunion with the iconic all-girl band that smashed sexiest stereotypes in music in the ’70s to become a successful hit-making machine that rivaled the best work of their macho rock and roll contemporaries.

“It had been decades,” says Ford in the interview about meeting up with Jett late last year. “It was weird. When I saw her, it was like seeing Joan. Same old. She looked great. We always got along.”

Ford is cited as the main holdout that previously squashed any plans for a Runaways reunion that occasionally surfaced in years past. Now it seems that the fate of a reunion rests in Jett’s hands.

“Now’s a perfect time,” Lita tells the Times. “I’m all for it. I just need Joan’s OK.”

Sandy_WestAlthough a Runaways reunion would be stellar, it, unfortunately, won’t be truly complete. Founding member and the band’s kick-ass drummer Sandy West (right) died of lung cancer in 2006. And no mention has been made as to who would be taking on bass duties in a reformed Runaways, original bassist Jackie Fox or her replacement Vicki Tischler-Blue. The band’s last bass player Laurie McAlister passed away in 2011 due to complications from asthma.

Ford, Jett and Currie, however, are now the holy trinity of the Runaways and their prospective reunion has the potential to make this the biggest and best comeback since David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen shook hands again last year and traded in trash talk for an arena tour.