MovieChat Forums > The Runaways (2010) Discussion > Joan Jett destroyed The Runaways

Joan Jett destroyed The Runaways

posted 10 years ago by jingster6666
14 replies | jump to latest

I started to attend Runaways shows almost at the very beginning of their career in L.A. about 1975. At first they were really sloppy and didn't really know their instruments, but had a lot of energy and could really energize a room. Of course most of that energy came from the fact that they were 16-year old girls playing R'n'R., just like the guys. As time went on and they began to come into their own as a quality band and a marketable act with a recording contract, they showed real breakout potential. The key elements of this potential were Lita Ford on lead guitar and Cherie Currie as front person. Lita could hold her on with all but the very best male guitarists. And Cherie was truly talented as a singer and had a flair for the dramatic in her stage presentation. I have no doubt whatsoever that if Cherie hadn't left the band, and the girls had swallowed their pride about Cherie being the centerpiece, and they had gotten along with each other, that they would have become one of the biggest rock bands of all time, and definitely would be enshrined in the Hall Of Fame today. But Cherie did leave. And Joan Jett became the singer and de-facto front person. And therein lies the destruction of the band. It wasn't so much that Joan wasn't a good singer - - she was OK - - rather it was her limited ability to involve the audience in the band's music and the band's persona. In fact, with Joan leading the way, the band had no persona and very little personality. Jett could suck the energy out of an audience like she was a human vacuum cleaner. You could actually see it happening. The audience came to party and have a good time and suddenly it was snooze time. It was heartbreaking to watch because the girls were giving it all they had and were trying so hard. There's no doubt in my mind that Joan Jett almost single-handedly destroyed the Runaways. It was her dour, boring, creepy, staring attitude that put people to sleep. I probably saw the Runaways at least 75 times during their 6-year career and I still to this day bemoan the loss of what might have been had Cherie stayed.

[–] DavidStHubbinsUSA 10 years ago

There is no way, no matter how it worked out that they would have become one of the greatest bands of all time.. They would never have been able to produce enough original quality material, Their best stuff was written by Joan and Kim consisting of basic power chords. If it weren't for Joan's determination the band would have never formed in the first place or continued on for 3 years after Cherie left. While she's not a great presence on stage, it was her that was responsible for the band existing and lasting as long as it did. Fact is, Joan solo was and is bigger than The Runaways ever were. The Runaways have basically a cult following at this point and have for years but 5 out of 10 people have never heard of them. Most people have at least heard of Joan Jett.

Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man....

[–] jingster6666 10 years ago

If you love Joan Jett and take pride in being a fan, I have no problem with that. More power to you! As regards "original quality material" (your words) you must consider the fact that Joan Jett and The Black Hearts were and are (as far as I know) merely a visually interesting cover band. Even her biggest hit ("I Love R'n'R") was a cover (The Arrows). And possibly her biggest selling album was entitled "The Hit List" (all covers.) I have no problem with her being a cover artist, however when considering her place in the R'n'R pantheon, she hardly deserves the level of recognition she's received. And particularly not her election to the Hall of Fame. Her inclusion in that institution cheapens the whole place. The level of devotion she seems to have accrued with her female fans is a matter of some interesting speculation. (Does she have a whole lot of male fans?) Which brings up another facet of her popularity. She's a well-known, lifelong, hard-core lesbian. The Rocker Grrrrls seem to be attracted to this aspect of her general persona, quite apart from her music. I have no problem with this either, merely pointing it out as a fundamental part of her attraction. If I had to give Joan kudos for anything, it would simply be for her longevity. She's lived a R'n'R lifestyle over the entire course of her life and never wavered. She's still around and still rocking! I realize it, and I dig it, and I pay my respects to it. She represents a certain standard that is quite iconic in nature, and I can see where women hold her in such high regard. However, when considered solely within the context of R'n'R music - music as music - she falls far short of the mark. And as far as comparing her fame and success to that of the Runaways, apples and oranges. You're comparing developing young girls/women trying to figure things out to a seasoned performing artist with a hired, professional, all-male backup band. And much of that seasoning came via her work with the Runaways. I disagree with you about the Runaways ultimately becoming one of the greatest R'n'R bands of all time. All the pieces were there, and if Cherie hadn't left and Jackie had been a bit stronger and more stable, they could've gone to the moon. And the strong feelings you have for Joan now would be nothing compared to those you'd have for the Runaways as a fully-developed, ass-kicking R'n'R unit. Don't allow my male opinion to dim your enthusiasm for Joan. She's an admirable woman and I respect her enormously. However, I was around when R'n'R first started in about '55 and I've followed it closely through all the changes. I've seen the whole show from the beginning, live. And using that as my basis, I feel certain the Runaways could have topped out. Keep on rocking til the world ends!

[–] Redhooks 10 years ago

Cherie Currie was at best a mediocre singer. She had some stage presence but I think a lot of that was due to her working on her "act" with Kenny Ortega. She probably should have concentrated on being an actress as a teenager.

I think the Runaways best line-up based on musical talent would have been Sandy West, Micki (now Michael) Steele, and Lita Ford. Joan Jett is an average rhythm guitar player. Her best strength was her hit and miss song writing ability. Some of her songs were good, but just as many were bad. The problem with the first three is none of them were great songwriters. Lita and Michael wrote some OK songs later in their careers, but they were all collaborations with other people.

I don't know how Michael and Lita would have gotten along because I have never read any info on how they got along for the few weeks they both were in the band. The only info about Micheal's time in the band is from Joan, Sandy, or Kim Fowley. Michael's and Lita's later careers went in slightly different musical directions with the former's style more a mellow to medium rocker and the latter's style being a hard rock to heavy metal type.

Redhooks

"You don't get something for nothing, you don't get freedom for free." Neil Peart

[–] greenleea 9 years ago

^ This.

[–] jmiller1918 9 years ago

Very interesting point of view from an early eye-witness. Thanks for posting!

[–] jingster6666 9 years ago

Yeah, jmiller1918, but what's YOUR point of view - - if it's not too much trouble. Thanks!

[–] jmiller1918 9 years ago

I'm no authority on rock music history or the Runaways. I first became aware of Joan Jett around the early days of MTV- early 1980's. I was never a full-fledged rock and roll fan, liking and listening to some of it along with other genres I preferred, such as Classical.

So, all I really know about the Runaways I learned from this movie. That's why I was so interested to read your eye-witness account.

[–] jingster6666 9 years ago

To jmiller1918: I don't like to pile-on with negatives about any creative effort, especially a movie, which are so incredibly difficult to get made. However the movie, "The Runaways", was so amazingly lacking in intellectual integrity and equanimity, that it was quite literally laughable. In my judgement, it was a one-sided slap-in-the face to the other members of the band, especially Lita Ford, who supplied the RnR legitimacy which allowed the band to take off in the first place. Lita was the main cog in the band, with her soaring guitar, which made everybody sit up and take notice of them. If you should rewatch the movie, you'll see that Lita is hardly mentioned. The movie was an overt Joan Jett project because she owned the name, "The Runaways", and had "creative" control over every aspect. If you own the name, you can do and say whatever you like, short of slander. So, jmiller, if you're using the moivie, "The Runaways", as a means of edification, you're wasting your time. It's almost totally phonie-baloney. However, it was a smart move to feature Cherie Currie with Jett because that represented the perfect casting opportunity for the black-on-blonde yin and yang - - hopefully a winner with the two young starlets having a built-in fan following. It failed miserably, and justly so.

[–] lilmisstrooper 8 years ago

put away the thesaurus.

[–] jingster6666 8 years ago

Yes, the Thesaurus was quite a nice dinosaur, however I always preferred the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Of course, these things are simply a matter of personal taste, kinda like Joan Jett (you know, the woman who destroyed the Runaways?) It's comforting to know that she'll be extinct some day. Better sooner than later.

[–] elduderino09 8 years ago

I agree Ford, arguably the best musician, was pretty much ignored. But if you read the trivia, she never signed the rights to her life away to the films producers. She did meet with the actress assigned her role, and she gave approval for the choice. But it was probably legal reasons why they couldn't give her much, if any, showing in the script.

[–] jingster6666 8 years ago

ANY film or book about the Runaways which does not include a major part for Lita Ford is absolutely phony and should be immediately destroyed. The very concept is ridiculous. Joan Jett makes me sick on my stomach, what a two-bit unworthy creep. Every time I think about her being in the R'n'R Hall of fame, I laugh out loud. What were they thinking?

[–] duaneincali 9 years ago

I was around at that time. intelligent minds will differ on who was best, etc.
basically the formula they started with was their best shot. I love love love joan jett. jett and Cherie are like keith Richards and mick jagger-NOT IN QUALITY-but in styles. Richards would not really make it as a lead. but perfect in his role.
jett was wildly necessary, I like her more than Cherie. but, what they packaged in the beginning was the only formula that would work.
I actually preferred jett's solo career to the band; but that does not mean she was good at fronting THAT band called the runaways.
what she evolved into was great (watch the crimson and clover video-let's see Cherie do that!).
appreciate each person's strengths.

and yes, my crush on JJ has never abated.

[–] jingster6666 9 years ago

RE: duaneincall - -
Again I say, if you're a fan of Joan Jett - - GREAT!!! And if you'll re-read my various posts on this thread, you'll see that I respect her. She's been a real rock and roller for 41 years (age 57 as of 2016), and should be celebrated for that. However, I reiterate my two main talking points: that she destroyed the Runaways and certainly does not have the credentials to be elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But you go right on ahead and love you some "JJ" and be happy. Oh, and by the way, the Crimson and Clover song you referenced was yet another cover. Did she actually debut any hit songs herself? I don't remember.