Cherie Currie and The Runaways: One Helluva Wild Rock ’n’ Roll Ride

When you think about '70s rock ’n’ roll, few names bring to mind teenage rebellion and raw energy like Cherie Currie, the original lead singer of The Runaways. She was only 15 years old when she fronted one of the most groundbreaking all-girl rock bands of the era, making waves with her powerhouse voice, striking stage presence, and that iconic corset-and-chains outfit that became part of rock history.Cherie was born in California and grew up in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. Before she ever thought about fronting a rock band, she was just a music-obsessed teenager who idolized David Bowie. In fact, it was her love of Bowie’s glam-rock style that shaped her own look and attitude. Cherie was already performing in small gigs around L.A. when Kim Fowley and Joan Jett came calling. They were putting together a tough, edgy, all-female rock band that would soon shake up the male-dominated music scene.In '75, Cherie joined The Runaways, alongside Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Sandy West, and Jackie Fox. She quickly became the band’s lead singer, famous for belting out songs like “Cherry Bomb”, which became the group’s signature anthem and is still celebrated as one of the defining punk-rock tracks of the ‘70s. Currie’s onstage persona—provocative, fearless, and rebellious—made her a standout in the band and a poster child for teenage rock rebellion.The Runaways were groundbreaking. They weren’t just a novelty “girl band”—they could really play. The girls toured the world and in Japan they were treated like superstars. But behind the scenes, things weren’t always as glamorous. Tensions within the band, combined with the pressures of fame, the exploitation of young girls in the rock world, and substance abuse struggles, led to Cherie leaving The Runaways in '77—just two years after she’d joined.Life after The Runaways was a wild mix of ups and downs for Cherie Currie. She launched a solo music career, releasing the album Beauty’s Only Skin Deep in '78 and later teaming up with her identical twin sister, Marie Currie, for the duet album Messin’ with the Boys in '80. Cherie also explored acting. She starred alongside Jodie Foster in the cult classic film Foxes (1980) and appeared in other films throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s, including Parasite and Twilight Zone: The Movie.But Cherie didn’t stop there. She reinvented herself yet again—as a chainsaw artist. In the 2000s, she became an award-winning chainsaw carver, creating intricate wooden sculptures that stunned critics and fans alike.In 2010, interest in her story skyrocketed with the release of The Runaways movie, starring Dakota Fanning as Cherie and Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett. The film reignited global attention for the band, cementing Cherie’s legacy as a trailblazer for women in rock. Around the same time, she published her memoir Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway, a raw, honest account of her life in and out of the band.She’s continued to perform music into recent years, releasing the 2019 album Blvds of Splendor.Cherie Currie will always be remembered as the fierce blonde teenager who stepped onstage and screamed “Hello world, I’m your wild girl!” with The Runaways. She was part of a band that kicked open doors for future generations of female rockers—from Joan Jett’s later success with The Blackhearts, to the riot grrrl movement, to today’s women-led rock bands.Her story isn’t just about teenage fame—it’s about survival, reinvention, and proving that rock ’n’ roll really can be forever.This week Cherie joins us to share it all.I'd love to hear if you enjoy this episode. Please reach out with any comments or suggestions through the website: https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au