A pioneering female rock musician known for her powerful vocals and guitar playing, particularly in the 1980s metal scene.
Lita Ford is renowned as the lead guitarist of the pioneering all-female rock band The Runaways and a successful glam metal solo artist. Her iconic 1989 single "Close My Eyes Forever", a duet with Ozzy Osbourne, reached No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100, cementing her status as a metal legend.
Born Lita Rossana Ford on September 19, 1958, in London, England, to a British father and Italian mother, Ford moved to Long Beach, California, with her family at a young age. Inspired by Ritchie Blackmore's work with Deep Purple, she began playing the guitar at 11, and her vocal range as a mezzo-soprano would later become an integral part of her music.
In 1975, Ford was recruited by recording impresario Kim Fowley to join The Runaways, an all-female rock band that would go on to secure a recording contract and release their debut album in 1976. Ford's lead guitar playing became a central element of the band's sound, garnering significant media attention and making The Runaways a successful recording and touring act during their late-1970s heyday.
Ford's solo career took off in the late 1980s, with her 1988 album "Lita" featuring the hit single "Kiss Me Deadly". Her 1989 album "Dancin' on the Edge" saw the release of "Close My Eyes Forever", a duet with Ozzy Osbourne that remains her most successful song. The album earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
Ford has been open about her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated industry, advocating for greater representation and opportunities for female musicians. Her autobiography, "Living Like a Runaway: A Memoir", published in 2016, offers a candid look at her life and career, including her time with The Runaways and her struggles as a solo artist.
Ford's impact on the music industry extends beyond her own success. As a pioneering female metal musician, she has inspired generations of women to take up the guitar and pursue careers in music. Her legacy continues to inspire artists across genres, from rock to pop to heavy metal.
Lita Ford's enduring legacy as a metal icon, trailblazing musician, and inspiration to generations of women in music solidifies her place as a true legend in the world of rock and roll.
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Lead vocalist of The Runaways, a pioneering all-female rock band in the 1970s, known for her raw, edgy sound and rebellious stage presence.
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