Tag Archives: the runaways

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.

Continue reading NEON ANGEL →
LIVE SHOWS, ROCKIN’ EVENTS

BACK FOR MORE

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.

Continue reading BACK FOR MORE →
ROCKIN' NEWS

HOLLYWOOD HEAT

Leave a comment

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.

Continue reading HOLLYWOOD HEAT →
LIVE SHOWS

ROCKIN’ IS FUNDAMENTAL

Leave a comment

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

LOVIN’ THAT ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

Leave a comment

Billie Joe Armstrong - Joan Jett

“I’M SO HAPPY FOR HER…THE WAY THAT SHE IS JUST THIS BADASS WOMAN AND PROBABLY THE SH*T SHE HAD TO DEAL WITH IN A MALE-DOMINATED ROCK SCENE, IT’S JUST AN HONOR TO BE SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH HER.”

— BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG on fellow 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee & Sunset Strip-launched music legend JOAN JETT (Rolling Stone)