Lita Ford

Lita Rossana Ford born 19 September 1958 is an Englishborn American rock guitarist actress vocalist and songwriter who was the lead guitarist for the Runaways in the late 1970s before embarking on a solo career in the 1980s Lita Ford was born to an English father and an Italian mother in London England When she was in second grade she moved with her family to the United States eventually settling in Long Beach California Inspired by Ritchie Blackmores work with Deep Purple she began playing the guitar at the age of 11 Her vocal range is mezzosoprano In 1975 at age 16 Ford was recruited by recording impresario Kim Fowley to join the allfemale rock band he was assembling called the Runaways The band soon secured a recording contract and released their first album in 1976 The band garnered significant media attention and The Runaways became a successful recording and touring act during their late 1970s heyday Fords leadguitar playing became an integral element of the bands sound until their eventual breakup in April 1979 In 1977 internal conflicts were erupting within the Runaways who had by that time already parted ways with producer Fowley lead singer Cherie Currie and bassist Jackie Fox Vocalistguitarist Joan Jett wanted the band to shift to a more Ramonesinfluenced punk rock sound while Ford and drummer Sandy West wanted to continue playing the hard rockoriented songs the band had become known for With neither faction willing to compromise the band finally broke up in April 1979 Wikipedia