Lita Ford, born on September 19, 1958, in London, is one of the two solo stars who emerged from the ’70s all-girl hard rock band the Runaways. Contrary to her former colleague Joan Jett, Ford’s musical approach subtly embraces feminism by showcasing guitar heroics at the level of any male metal icon. Despite criticism for appealing to male adolescent fantasies, Ford stands as a heroic figure in the male-dominated heavy metal genre. When backed by strong material, Ford demonstrates her ability to rock aggressively and assertively.
After joining the Runaways, a project aimed at blending punky hard rock with teenage bad-girl sex appeal, Ford transitioned into a successful solo career. Overcoming challenges through various jobs, Ford released her debut album, ‘Out for Blood,’ in 1983. Following a hiatus and label switch, Ford’s 1988 album ‘Lita’ marked her breakthrough, featuring hit songs like ‘Kiss Me Deadly’ and ‘Close My Eyes Forever’ with Ozzy Osbourne. Subsequent albums like ‘Stiletto’ and ‘Dangerous Curves’ faced mixed commercial success, leading to a label change and a pivot towards heavier music with ‘Wicked Wonderland’ in 2009. Ford’s personal life intertwined with her music career, as she married musicians and faced divorce, themes reflected in her albums like ‘Living Like a Runaway’ in 2012. Her tell-all autobiography and album ‘Time Capsule’ in 2016 solidified her legacy in the rock music scene.