"Queens of Noise the Real Story of the Runaways" is a royal rhythm of raunchy music wonderfully translated by author Evelyn McDonnell.
Five teenage girls not old enough to vote in 1975 who didn't know one another began their first world tour as a rock 'n' roll band in Europe, Sept. 1976. Inspired by then President Richard Nixon's signing of the Title IX bill in 1972 which basically deemed; 'girls must be allowed to do what boys do', the five teenage girls set off to play hard rock music. Guitarist / vocalist Joan Jett, drummer Sandy West and 35-year-old Kim Fowley manufactured the first all girl hard rock band to sign a multi year record deal and tour the world.
Fuelled by free love from the 60s, Quaaludes as prevent as crime and corruption in politics and the 70s pre herpes and aids era, the Runaways were a true representation of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll who lived loud.
For a brief time (three years) the Runaways defined rock 'n' roll. They were outlaws, outcasts, abusers of alcohol, drugs, frequent fornicators and rebels who shredded the envelope. When they toured, they snuck out of hotels early to avoid paying the bill and stole cars for their use on entire tours from time to time which they returned after the tour.
The 2010 "Runaways" movie has its similarities and vast differences from McDonnell's book. One intriguing thing for me was that in the movie, an all male band headlining a show at Detroit's Cobo Center in 1977 treated the girls (Runaways) like total garbage. Jett and another of her band mates went into the other groups dressing room and pissed on their guitars. In the "Queens of Noise" novel, the girls neither snuck into the other bands dressing room nor peed on their guitars. "Queens of Noise" claims that arrogant band who were very mean to the Runaways was Rush.
I do remember reading a magazine article about Rush back in the 90s, and the journalist who was back stage with the Rush trio during sound check stated that bassist / vocalist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson exuded a cooler then thou attitude. The magazine article I read stated that drummer Neil Peart was down to earth and very personable. "Queens of Noise" quotes the Runaways then co-manager;
"Rush was one of the most dreadful bands ever, they treated us like shit," Kent Smythe said.
Rush is still my favorite rock band, and for those of you who hate Rush, the way they treated the Runaways in Detroit was indeed horrible, so now you have good reason to hate Rush even more, but they are still my boys.
McDonnell's book, despite the unsavory facts about Rush, still nets a solid three and half star read. I would have liked to have read more quotes from band members and co-founder Kim Fowley, but "Queens of Noise," released in July embellished upon many intriguing details and opened my eyes to what teenage girls have to struggle with, regardless of whether their rock icons or not.
"Queens of Noise" raises some questions that are never truly answered, but in real life, no one or group of people can possible know everything. Some individuals in the music business claim that 35-year-old Fowley was a creep who used the music business to have sex with underage teenage girls. Fowley claims he never slept with any of the runaways during their three year tenure as a band. None of the Runaways confirm nor deny he had sex with any of them in "Queens of Noise."
Many people referenced in the book who knew Fowley referred to him as a legendary prick. Others referred to him as a good person who was all talk and no bite. One thing is made clear, he was indeed eccentric and despite not knowing how to play music, nor having any formal training as a band manager, he knew how to co-write songs with the band and get them touring the world. Fowley never once went on the road with the girls.
McDonnell's book has Fowley quoted from a magazine article saying he was in the music business to F-word teenage girls. It's also stated in "Queens of Noise" that by 1977, the Runaways were sick of Fowley and vis-a-vis. Their 5th and final album, "And Now...The Runaways," released in 1979 was done with 0 percent contribution from Fowley.
Very impressive how five teen aged girls including lead guitarist Lita Ford who was the old lady in the band by 1977, 18-years-old at the time, met each other for the first time in 1975 and by 1979 produced four studio albums, one live one and toured the world twice.
