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Living Like a Runaway
“Heavy metal’s leading female rocker (Rolling Stone) bares all, opening up about the Runaways, the glory days of the punk and hard-rock scenes, and the highs and lows of her trailblazing career
Wielding her signature black guitar, Lita Ford shredded stereotypes of female musicians throughout the 1970s and ‘80s. Then followed more than a decade of silence and darkness—until rock and roll repaid the debt it owed this pioneer, helped Lita reclaim her soul, and restored the Queen of Metal to her throne.
In 1975, Lita Ford left home at age sixteen to join the world’s first major all-female rock group, the Runaways—a “pioneering band” (New York Times) that became the subject of a Hollywood movie starring Kristen Stewart ad Dakota Fanning. Lita went on to become “heavy rock’s first female guitar hero” (Washington Post), a platinum-selling solo star who shared the bill with the Ramones, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Poison, and others and who gave Ozzy Osbourne his first Top 10 hit. She was a bare-ass, leather-clad babe whose hair was bigger and whose guitar licks were hotter than any of the guys’.
Hailed by Elle as “one of the greatest female electric guitar players to ever pick up the instrument,” Lita spurred the meteoric rise of Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, and the rest of the Runaways. Her phenomenal talent on the fret board also carried her to tremendous individual success after the group’s 1979 disbandment, when she established herself as a “legendary metal icon” (Guitar World) and a fixture of the 1980s music scene who held her own after hours with Nikki Sixx, Jon Bon Jovi, Eddie Van Halen, Tommy Lee, Motorhead’s Lemmy, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi (to whom she was engaged), and others.
Featuring a foreword by Dee Snider, Living Like a Runaway also provides never-before-told details of Lita’s dramatic personal story. For Lita, life as a woman in the male-dominated rock scene was never easy, a constant battle with the music establishment. But then, at a low point in her career, came a tumultuous marriage that left her feeling trapped, isolated from the rock-and-roll scene for more than a decade, and—most tragically—alienated from her two sons. And yet, after a dramatic and emotional personal odyssey, Lita picked up her guitar and stormed back to the stage. As Guitar Player hailed in 2014 when they inducted her into their hall of fame of guitar greats: “She is as badass as ever.”
Fearless, revealing, and compulsively readable, Lita Ford’s Living Like a Runaway is the long-awaited memoir from one of rock’s greatest pioneers—and fiercest survivors.
Wielding her signature black guitar, Lita Ford shredded stereotypes of female musicians throughout the 1970s and ‘80s. Then followed more than a decade of silence and darkness—until rock and roll repaid the debt it owed this pioneer, helped Lita reclaim her soul, and restored the Queen of Metal to her throne.
In 1975, Lita Ford left home at age sixteen to join the world’s first major all-female rock group, the Runaways—a “pioneering band” (New York Times) that became the subject of a Hollywood movie starring Kristen Stewart ad Dakota Fanning. Lita went on to become “heavy rock’s first female guitar hero” (Washington Post), a platinum-selling solo star who shared the bill with the Ramones, Van Halen, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Poison, and others and who gave Ozzy Osbourne his first Top 10 hit. She was a bare-ass, leather-clad babe whose hair was bigger and whose guitar licks were hotter than any of the guys’.
Hailed by Elle as “one of the greatest female electric guitar players to ever pick up the instrument,” Lita spurred the meteoric rise of Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, and the rest of the Runaways. Her phenomenal talent on the fret board also carried her to tremendous individual success after the group’s 1979 disbandment, when she established herself as a “legendary metal icon” (Guitar World) and a fixture of the 1980s music scene who held her own after hours with Nikki Sixx, Jon Bon Jovi, Eddie Van Halen, Tommy Lee, Motorhead’s Lemmy, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi (to whom she was engaged), and others.
Featuring a foreword by Dee Snider, Living Like a Runaway also provides never-before-told details of Lita’s dramatic personal story. For Lita, life as a woman in the male-dominated rock scene was never easy, a constant battle with the music establishment. But then, at a low point in her career, came a tumultuous marriage that left her feeling trapped, isolated from the rock-and-roll scene for more than a decade, and—most tragically—alienated from her two sons. And yet, after a dramatic and emotional personal odyssey, Lita picked up her guitar and stormed back to the stage. As Guitar Player hailed in 2014 when they inducted her into their hall of fame of guitar greats: “She is as badass as ever.”
Fearless, revealing, and compulsively readable, Lita Ford’s Living Like a Runaway is the long-awaited memoir from one of rock’s greatest pioneers—and fiercest survivors.
262 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2016
About the author
Lita Ford
6 books51 followersLita Ford is a British-American rock guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. She was the lead guitarist for the all female rock band The Runaways in the late 1970s before starting a solo career in the 1980’s. Her most successful song is the rock ballad "Close My Eyes Forever", a duet with Ozzy Osbourne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
December 11, 2017
I loved Lita growing up so I was stoked to get this book. Of course, I have had it since it came out a million years ago and sitting with the other not so new books in my stacks. But I digress
I actually loved Lita and Joan Jett all of my life.
I very much enjoyed this book and the stories Lita had to tell. Some things I didn't agree with but it's all good.
We get to learn about the younger childhood years and her years with The Runaways. All leading up to life in 2015/16.
It was like walking through the 80's and 90's with all the talk about the rocker bands and dudes she hung out with.
I also (because I truly live under a rock & never REALLY know what's going on) had no idea she wrote the song "Lisa" for her mom while she was dying of cancer. Her mom loved it. I damn cried!! And I'm not going to get out my cd's and listen to it either!!
I love the fact that Lita's parents supported her in what she wanted out of life. Not all rock stars or people in general get that. Lita's mom was Italian and her dad British.
It was also cool to find out that at one time Lita was managed by Sharon Osbourne and that Sharon and Ozzy would come to Lita's parents house for dinners. They were pretty close until things with south with drugs and what not.
Anyway, it was fun for me to read. Most of it at any rate.
Happy Reading!
Mel ❤️
I actually loved Lita and Joan Jett all of my life.
I very much enjoyed this book and the stories Lita had to tell. Some things I didn't agree with but it's all good.
We get to learn about the younger childhood years and her years with The Runaways. All leading up to life in 2015/16.
It was like walking through the 80's and 90's with all the talk about the rocker bands and dudes she hung out with.
I also (because I truly live under a rock & never REALLY know what's going on) had no idea she wrote the song "Lisa" for her mom while she was dying of cancer. Her mom loved it. I damn cried!! And I'm not going to get out my cd's and listen to it either!!
I love the fact that Lita's parents supported her in what she wanted out of life. Not all rock stars or people in general get that. Lita's mom was Italian and her dad British.
It was also cool to find out that at one time Lita was managed by Sharon Osbourne and that Sharon and Ozzy would come to Lita's parents house for dinners. They were pretty close until things with south with drugs and what not.
Anyway, it was fun for me to read. Most of it at any rate.
Happy Reading!
Mel ❤️
March 8, 2016
I debated upping this to 2 stars because, after all, it gives you a little bit of a picture of the rock scene of the late 70s and 80s and also because Lita Ford loves dachshunds and someone who has a soft point for dachshunds cannot be bad, but I just can't because I hated everything about this book.
It's just terrible... it keeps telling you Lita Ford was the only Runaway who was serious about music (with, maybe, Sandy West), all the others were, I don't know, just teenage girls looking for fame?
Also, Lita Ford was the first woman EVER playing hard rock. I mean, no woman before Lita Ford ever played that kind of music. Do you think I'm repeating myself? Well, it's exactly what the book is doing and about 100 times. I'm not even sure she considers there were other female rockers after her, because, she is, and will remain the Queen of Rock'n'Roll (I mean, she just tells you about it about a dozen times at the very least).
The whole thing is dripping with internalized misogyny and although I know it's super common in Lita's generation, she's taking it to quite a high level and I just couldn't deal with that page after page.
The rest is filled with totally tedious anecdotes (it feels like she picked the most random ones without even trying to keep the reader interested...) and a lot of victimisation.
If you want to read a Runaway memoir, I'd recommend Neon Angel a million times over this one!
It's just terrible... it keeps telling you Lita Ford was the only Runaway who was serious about music (with, maybe, Sandy West), all the others were, I don't know, just teenage girls looking for fame?
Also, Lita Ford was the first woman EVER playing hard rock. I mean, no woman before Lita Ford ever played that kind of music. Do you think I'm repeating myself? Well, it's exactly what the book is doing and about 100 times. I'm not even sure she considers there were other female rockers after her, because, she is, and will remain the Queen of Rock'n'Roll (I mean, she just tells you about it about a dozen times at the very least).
The whole thing is dripping with internalized misogyny and although I know it's super common in Lita's generation, she's taking it to quite a high level and I just couldn't deal with that page after page.
The rest is filled with totally tedious anecdotes (it feels like she picked the most random ones without even trying to keep the reader interested...) and a lot of victimisation.
If you want to read a Runaway memoir, I'd recommend Neon Angel a million times over this one!
April 25, 2016
I have always been a Lita Ford fan. She's talented, she's beautiful and she shreds on the guitar better than most male guitarists I never knew much about her life, but this book was great to get an idea of what life was like for her and how she worked her way up the ranks to the Queen of Metal. It's heart breaking regarding her family and children and you really feel for her, but wow. What an inspiration!
January 12, 2018
I feel a little bit guilty rating this book so low. Lita comes across as a genuine person who has suffered a lot in the last 20 years. But the truth is, this book is badly written. Her co-writer must have worked for cheap.
The storytelling is amateurish, with confusing chronology even from paragraph to paragraph. It starts with Dee Snider's smoke-blowing preface (though the story he tells does take on some more emotional heft when we hear the same one from Lita's perspective towards the end of the book), and it just stays on a low level from there. I understand that Lita's not highly educated -- but then, that's why you get a good editor and co-writer.
The Runaways period is the best in the book for me, especially since we have heard the stories from Joan and Cherie. It's nice to see Lita's side of things. Once that period ends, it becomes half music memoir and half groupie memoir. I swear Lita must have slept with every rockstar that existed in the 80's. Not true, of course, but her "and then Edward Van Halen and I had sex; and then my friend and I had a 5-way with Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi and some dude; and then I met up with Glenn Tipton once a year for a good shagging" and so on.
She's constantly talking about how no one respected her as a musician because she was a girl. But I have to wonder if her actions made it easy for them to think of her as just another groupie who happened to play guitar. She also has a real tendency to blame everyone else for her career not working as well as she'd hoped, especially following the success of "Kiss Me Deadly". It's always someone else who screwed her over, starting with Kim Fowley and moving through Sharon Osborne and RCA records and so many others.
By the end of the book, Lita's in a much more positive place. That's coming out of the most intriguing portion of the book - a chronicle of her horrific 20 year marriage (that recently ended). She leaves out a lot of details -- out of disrespect for her ex and respect for her two sons, she says. But it's a gripping story just the same. It's nice to read about her putting her life and career back together following those events, even if she does have an exaggerated view of her own importance in rock history. Outside of The Runaways and a handful of good singles, her music isn't all that. Yes, the woman can play guitar. Doesn't mean her albums are any good. (Give me Joan's catalog over Lita's anyday.)
I am going to give this book an extra star that it probably doesn't deserve because I am always eager for more Runaways tales. And that's a good part of the book. But the rest of it, I could take or leave. I wish it had been better-written.
The storytelling is amateurish, with confusing chronology even from paragraph to paragraph. It starts with Dee Snider's smoke-blowing preface (though the story he tells does take on some more emotional heft when we hear the same one from Lita's perspective towards the end of the book), and it just stays on a low level from there. I understand that Lita's not highly educated -- but then, that's why you get a good editor and co-writer.
The Runaways period is the best in the book for me, especially since we have heard the stories from Joan and Cherie. It's nice to see Lita's side of things. Once that period ends, it becomes half music memoir and half groupie memoir. I swear Lita must have slept with every rockstar that existed in the 80's. Not true, of course, but her "and then Edward Van Halen and I had sex; and then my friend and I had a 5-way with Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi and some dude; and then I met up with Glenn Tipton once a year for a good shagging" and so on.
She's constantly talking about how no one respected her as a musician because she was a girl. But I have to wonder if her actions made it easy for them to think of her as just another groupie who happened to play guitar. She also has a real tendency to blame everyone else for her career not working as well as she'd hoped, especially following the success of "Kiss Me Deadly". It's always someone else who screwed her over, starting with Kim Fowley and moving through Sharon Osborne and RCA records and so many others.
By the end of the book, Lita's in a much more positive place. That's coming out of the most intriguing portion of the book - a chronicle of her horrific 20 year marriage (that recently ended). She leaves out a lot of details -- out of disrespect for her ex and respect for her two sons, she says. But it's a gripping story just the same. It's nice to read about her putting her life and career back together following those events, even if she does have an exaggerated view of her own importance in rock history. Outside of The Runaways and a handful of good singles, her music isn't all that. Yes, the woman can play guitar. Doesn't mean her albums are any good. (Give me Joan's catalog over Lita's anyday.)
I am going to give this book an extra star that it probably doesn't deserve because I am always eager for more Runaways tales. And that's a good part of the book. But the rest of it, I could take or leave. I wish it had been better-written.
September 28, 2017
If you're a fan of Lita Ford's style of raucous, high octane rock and roll, you will not be disappointed by her autobiography. Lita has never been shy, and she delivers a book filled with all of the sex, drugs and rock n' roll adventures that take us through the genesis and downfall of The Runaways, her ascendancy to become the Queen of Shredding during the 80's Hair Metal era, and her turbulent and tragic family life after leaving the music scene for 15 years. While Lita was certainly my teenage crush, I always respected her legitimate skills as a bona fide Guitar Hero. I was saddened to read how many of her peers, many who were also my teenage rock idols, did not respect her talent, and treated her with distain and sexism. Nevertheless, she persisted. While many of those who stood in her way are long forgotten, Lita is still touring, recording and wearing the crown as the "Queen of Metal!"
May 28, 2018
Actual Rating 2.5 stars
I rounded up because it was Lita fucking Ford! This rating is for the book/writing not the person. I have always been obsessed with The Runaways. I wanted to be the Runaways, unfortunately I never learned how to play an instrument so there you go. Being apart of such an iconic band is amazing and then to go on and continue to pursue your career in such a male dominated field is extremely impressive. Even more impressive is the fact that Lita seems to have remained true to herself. She is a Hard Rocking/ Metal loving musician when that has been out of fashion for some time now. So learning about Lita and her fantastic adventures were great. Unfortunately, the writing made it difficult to enjoy the book as a whole. Maybe now that I'm done I can get the song Kiss me Deadly out of my head.
I rounded up because it was Lita fucking Ford! This rating is for the book/writing not the person. I have always been obsessed with The Runaways. I wanted to be the Runaways, unfortunately I never learned how to play an instrument so there you go. Being apart of such an iconic band is amazing and then to go on and continue to pursue your career in such a male dominated field is extremely impressive. Even more impressive is the fact that Lita seems to have remained true to herself. She is a Hard Rocking/ Metal loving musician when that has been out of fashion for some time now. So learning about Lita and her fantastic adventures were great. Unfortunately, the writing made it difficult to enjoy the book as a whole. Maybe now that I'm done I can get the song Kiss me Deadly out of my head.
September 1, 2017
Lita Ford proclaims herself the queen of rock and roll.
I can only assume because she, by her own admission, consumed copious amounts of drugs and alcohol with the who`s who of the rock scene in the 70s and 80s, even a few of whom she didn't have sex with.
Ford complains throughout the book how she wasn't taken seriously as a musician, and hypothesizes this is because she is female.
All setbacks Ford experienced in the music business seem to be because of misogyny, because managers screwing over doped up musicians is unheard of if they are males, record labels miss- or under promoting an artist or group never happens in the music business and musicians getting dropped by labels when management switches and want to take things in another direction... Well, reality is, these things happen all the time, to every musician, penis or no penis.
Ford is also constantly telling us of the countless awards and nominations she received. The exposure in the biggest magazines and Tv shows. Playing the biggest arenas in the world. So how anti-female can it really be? That glass ceiling seems pretty permeable for her to me.
She also seems to forget that the Runaways was put together by the original manager (who really seems to have been a major creep who posthumously has been accused of raping one of the band members, but who Ford praises on several occasions and states ”Even though you want everyone to think you are one of the most frightening people in the world, you're the exact opposite. You actually have a heart.”) as a female rock group. So her start in the music business was not for being a musician but for being female. No doubt have her sex worked against her at times but it has also worked in her favor. Opening doors to opportunities that she would not have had, had she been male.
The funny thing is in midst of this supposed male oppression Ford dismisses most of the other female musicians as unskilled, unfocused and difficult to work with.
A common thread throughout the book is whenever something doesn't go her way she portrays herself as the victim. So both divorces, and falling out with most of her managers and many of her band mates its because how wrong they are and how bad they treat her for no reason what so ever. At the same time she proudly proclaims how she got a friend to drive her around looking for a girl who mouthed off to her at a sandwich shop so she could attack her, how she threw her plate of food at a waitress for not letting her have a knife to cut her burrito (both instances while being sober) and many other violent outbursts at friends as well as strangers. And just all around irresponsible and immature behavior in general. This should give pause for thought.
Ford also claims to have been made to live a self-sufficient lifestyle against her will by her second husband. And that her kids was brainwashed and tuned against her by their horrible father, to whom she was married for 16 YEARS! On Wikipedia it says that ”she claimed that her sons physically attacked her, encouraged by Gillette, after which she decided to divorce him.” in an interview, we can also learn that her husband (a former heavy metal front man himself) was awarded sole custody of the children. I cant help thinking there is good reason for that.
(As a former BJJ practitioner I also found her description of Gracie jiu-jitsu as a cult to be pretty funny, which does not help her credibility in convincing us of her victim status. Yet again.)
All in all Lita Ford comes of as being unstable to say the least, not unlike most other rockers, but unlike most rockers she wants to wear the rebellion as a badge of honor when it suits her but want to portray herself as a innocent victim at other times. Reading the book you get the picture of someone with a complete lack of self-awareness to the point that she ceases to be an agent in her own universe and just a ting that is effected by other agents of change. Always blaming someone or something else for her troubles and struggles. No doubt, have she gone though many difficult times in her life, most of which is the natural outcome of the choices she made.
Postmodernism is bliss.
I can only assume because she, by her own admission, consumed copious amounts of drugs and alcohol with the who`s who of the rock scene in the 70s and 80s, even a few of whom she didn't have sex with.
Ford complains throughout the book how she wasn't taken seriously as a musician, and hypothesizes this is because she is female.
All setbacks Ford experienced in the music business seem to be because of misogyny, because managers screwing over doped up musicians is unheard of if they are males, record labels miss- or under promoting an artist or group never happens in the music business and musicians getting dropped by labels when management switches and want to take things in another direction... Well, reality is, these things happen all the time, to every musician, penis or no penis.
Ford is also constantly telling us of the countless awards and nominations she received. The exposure in the biggest magazines and Tv shows. Playing the biggest arenas in the world. So how anti-female can it really be? That glass ceiling seems pretty permeable for her to me.
She also seems to forget that the Runaways was put together by the original manager (who really seems to have been a major creep who posthumously has been accused of raping one of the band members, but who Ford praises on several occasions and states ”Even though you want everyone to think you are one of the most frightening people in the world, you're the exact opposite. You actually have a heart.”) as a female rock group. So her start in the music business was not for being a musician but for being female. No doubt have her sex worked against her at times but it has also worked in her favor. Opening doors to opportunities that she would not have had, had she been male.
The funny thing is in midst of this supposed male oppression Ford dismisses most of the other female musicians as unskilled, unfocused and difficult to work with.
A common thread throughout the book is whenever something doesn't go her way she portrays herself as the victim. So both divorces, and falling out with most of her managers and many of her band mates its because how wrong they are and how bad they treat her for no reason what so ever. At the same time she proudly proclaims how she got a friend to drive her around looking for a girl who mouthed off to her at a sandwich shop so she could attack her, how she threw her plate of food at a waitress for not letting her have a knife to cut her burrito (both instances while being sober) and many other violent outbursts at friends as well as strangers. And just all around irresponsible and immature behavior in general. This should give pause for thought.
Ford also claims to have been made to live a self-sufficient lifestyle against her will by her second husband. And that her kids was brainwashed and tuned against her by their horrible father, to whom she was married for 16 YEARS! On Wikipedia it says that ”she claimed that her sons physically attacked her, encouraged by Gillette, after which she decided to divorce him.” in an interview, we can also learn that her husband (a former heavy metal front man himself) was awarded sole custody of the children. I cant help thinking there is good reason for that.
(As a former BJJ practitioner I also found her description of Gracie jiu-jitsu as a cult to be pretty funny, which does not help her credibility in convincing us of her victim status. Yet again.)
All in all Lita Ford comes of as being unstable to say the least, not unlike most other rockers, but unlike most rockers she wants to wear the rebellion as a badge of honor when it suits her but want to portray herself as a innocent victim at other times. Reading the book you get the picture of someone with a complete lack of self-awareness to the point that she ceases to be an agent in her own universe and just a ting that is effected by other agents of change. Always blaming someone or something else for her troubles and struggles. No doubt, have she gone though many difficult times in her life, most of which is the natural outcome of the choices she made.
Postmodernism is bliss.
May 13, 2016
1. This is not a good book.
2. But I read it in all my spare moments over the course of two days.
3. I disliked her immensely at the beginning, especially her dismissive attitude towards Jackie Fox, who, it is now known, was a victim of a terrible sexual assault in the era of The Runaways.
4. But then I felt for Lita later on with her parenting woes. More detail about her bad marriage would have made this a better book, but I understand her wanting to leave it out.
5. The book is full of ridiculous anecdotes that come out of nowhere. But the eating cake under a table at the Scorpions show one was my favourite.
6. No, Lita. Decline of Western Civilization was not responsible for ruining Chris Holmes' career.
2. But I read it in all my spare moments over the course of two days.
3. I disliked her immensely at the beginning, especially her dismissive attitude towards Jackie Fox, who, it is now known, was a victim of a terrible sexual assault in the era of The Runaways.
4. But then I felt for Lita later on with her parenting woes. More detail about her bad marriage would have made this a better book, but I understand her wanting to leave it out.
5. The book is full of ridiculous anecdotes that come out of nowhere. But the eating cake under a table at the Scorpions show one was my favourite.
6. No, Lita. Decline of Western Civilization was not responsible for ruining Chris Holmes' career.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
Lita Ford the "Queen of Heavy Metal" opens up and talks about her life as a female in the rock n roll industry. She doesn't go much into her childhood, which is fine, because of course we all want to know about the sex, drugs and rock n roll part of her life anyway, right? And, there was a lot of that going on.
She tells us when she had an abortion as a teen without her parents ever knowing, her first STD after having sex with one of the Ramones.
Oh and by the way she's had sex and many one night stands with a lot of well known rock stars and she names names! Jon Bon Jovi, Edward Van Halen, Nikki Sixx, and oh so many more, you'll have to read the book.
She was so well known for sleeping around that when Sharon Osborne was managing her, Sharon was convinced Lita was having an affair with Ozzy, but Lita denies this. Apparently Sharon was a horrible b**ch
She talks about hanging out and partying with Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy, and what both were really like, and the events that followed after the death of Nancy.
She moves on to the 1980s and her solo career, her marriages and the birth of her two sons who are not allowed to see her or be in contact with her because of her controlling ex-husband and the brain washing they got from the rules of being members in the UFC martial arts, which sounds a bit like a cult, not allowing the members to eat chocolate, they are only allowed vanilla cake once a year, and they must be loyal, but because Lita filed for divorce she is considered unloyal.
The Runaways movie that came out a few years ago focus mainly on Cherie Currie and Joan Jett's relationship, I think Lita's life should be made in to a movie. Lita Ford is definitely a survivor in an industry that can eat you up if you're not strong enough.
She tells us when she had an abortion as a teen without her parents ever knowing, her first STD after having sex with one of the Ramones.
Oh and by the way she's had sex and many one night stands with a lot of well known rock stars and she names names! Jon Bon Jovi, Edward Van Halen, Nikki Sixx, and oh so many more, you'll have to read the book.
She was so well known for sleeping around that when Sharon Osborne was managing her, Sharon was convinced Lita was having an affair with Ozzy, but Lita denies this. Apparently Sharon was a horrible b**ch
She talks about hanging out and partying with Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy, and what both were really like, and the events that followed after the death of Nancy.
She moves on to the 1980s and her solo career, her marriages and the birth of her two sons who are not allowed to see her or be in contact with her because of her controlling ex-husband and the brain washing they got from the rules of being members in the UFC martial arts, which sounds a bit like a cult, not allowing the members to eat chocolate, they are only allowed vanilla cake once a year, and they must be loyal, but because Lita filed for divorce she is considered unloyal.
The Runaways movie that came out a few years ago focus mainly on Cherie Currie and Joan Jett's relationship, I think Lita's life should be made in to a movie. Lita Ford is definitely a survivor in an industry that can eat you up if you're not strong enough.
February 18, 2021
Okay, look... the writing here isn't all that impressive. It's a straightforward recounting of events and is entertaining enough. Many parts of the book read more like a detailed letter from a good friend telling you all about some crazy adventure they had last weekend. And as far as The Runaways go, I'm more of a Joan Jett girl than a Lita Ford girl, though both have been important to me at different times in my life.
*deep breath* And, sure... there are a few places here and there where Lita (and the foreward written by Dee Snider) are rather dismissive of her Runaways bandmates. Lita's the only credible musician. Lita's the only one who was serious about music. Ugh... whatever.
That said, she doesn't hold anything back. Not her opinions, her regrets and bad decisions, or her resentment and love for the people in her life. As a teenager in the 80s wearing out my Lita Ford cassettes, I had no idea the misogyny she dealt with - I just assumed she was respected because me and my friends respected her. But I got older and realized what a joke that is.
Another thing she doesn't hold back on is her sex life and the fact that she liked dressing in sexy tight leather outfits while shredding on her guitar. I've read rock memoirs from male musicians much more graphic than this one. I guess the main difference is that with those books, there weren't as many reviews on this site complaining about how much sex the author had, or any comments using the word "slut," or "groupie with a guitar."
As long as there are people complaining about a woman doing things it's okay for men to do, we need more Litas telling their stories.
*deep breath* And, sure... there are a few places here and there where Lita (and the foreward written by Dee Snider) are rather dismissive of her Runaways bandmates. Lita's the only credible musician. Lita's the only one who was serious about music. Ugh... whatever.
That said, she doesn't hold anything back. Not her opinions, her regrets and bad decisions, or her resentment and love for the people in her life. As a teenager in the 80s wearing out my Lita Ford cassettes, I had no idea the misogyny she dealt with - I just assumed she was respected because me and my friends respected her. But I got older and realized what a joke that is.
Another thing she doesn't hold back on is her sex life and the fact that she liked dressing in sexy tight leather outfits while shredding on her guitar. I've read rock memoirs from male musicians much more graphic than this one. I guess the main difference is that with those books, there weren't as many reviews on this site complaining about how much sex the author had, or any comments using the word "slut," or "groupie with a guitar."
As long as there are people complaining about a woman doing things it's okay for men to do, we need more Litas telling their stories.
January 5, 2017
I enjoyed the first part of the book but the end takes a decidedly weird tone as she enters her marriage with Jim Gillette. She paints herself as a victim in every aspect of her life with little explanation on how she got there. She describes the various moves, including the one to Turks & Caicos, homeschooling her boys, and other decisions as if they were just made and she just followed along. The whole thing is completely bizarre. I hate to say it, but she seems unstable and lacking in self-awareness. She thought Nancy Spungen was a sweetheart? As in Nancy of Sid & Nancy? What planet would that be on. She talks about throwing a burrito at someone for a minor infraction but then paints herself as this person who didn't want any drama. I liked the book, but I ended up liking Lita less.
February 26, 2016
An easy conversational read that grips with its sincerity as well as with the sex and drugs and rock and roll, Lita Ford’s memoir Living Like a Runaway revolves around content and tone. Edgy. Confrontational. Honest. Lots of swearing. Lots of run-on sentences. The writing falters at times. Most won’t be reading it for its scholastic merits. 80s heavy metal icon Lita Ford dishes about The Runaways, her solo career, being a woman in rock and roll, her romantic hookups—with Eddie Van Halen, Nikki Sixx, Dee Dee Ramone, Toni Iommi of Black Sabbath and others-- and more. The chapters on The Runaways run flat and lack energy. The passion-fueled intense guitarist fails to draw those emotions and details to the page.
read complete review here: http://entertainmentrealm.com/2016/02...
read complete review here: http://entertainmentrealm.com/2016/02...
March 11, 2016
I was too young to be a fan of the Runaways, but I have in interest in Rock Star biographies - especially if it covers the 80's and 90's. You do learn a little about her time in the Runaways and how they were ahead of their time (true). I am fine with the name dropping and stories - that's what I want in a rock star biography. I just wish there was more about her as a person, a little more depth to her thoughts at the time and maybe a little bit more detail about the albums she put out and how successful they were.
I am happy she is happy now. I was glad to see the mention of Eddie Trunk and That Metal Show and her comeback. She seems genuine - I've always enjoyed the singing Happy Birthday story for ET in Wyoming - I followed that on Twitter. She is just not a good writer (repetitive, run on sentences, etc).
I am happy she is happy now. I was glad to see the mention of Eddie Trunk and That Metal Show and her comeback. She seems genuine - I've always enjoyed the singing Happy Birthday story for ET in Wyoming - I followed that on Twitter. She is just not a good writer (repetitive, run on sentences, etc).
September 21, 2019
Very good biography, although there are a few themes she keeps going to, i.e. a woman playing guitar and trying to make it, all the famous people she slept with, and her abuse at the hands of men (one she is frank and talks about but the other she says she can't talk about).
The early days with The Runaways was very interesting as was her interactions with people in the music business.
The early days with The Runaways was very interesting as was her interactions with people in the music business.
January 20, 2017
Entertaining - needed better editing.
January 28, 2018
Pretty typical rock star autobiography. The most interesting stuff was glossed over because of litigation with her ex husband Nitro singer Jim Gillette. A fun read overall.
September 20, 2018
This is difficult: do I review the Lady or the book? I sure hope they are different.
Very similar to American Black people who run around still insisting they are oppressed victims. (Like my favorite Youtuber "Some Black Guy" roughly said: "We just had a Black President. There are endless Black athletes/actors/comedians making a Gazillion dollars. Black people have their own TV networks and Awards shows. There are Black Police officers everywhere. Endless successful Black business men, politicians, lawyers, Real-estate agents, Even a Black Nascar driver in Richard Petty's ol' 43 car (who I cheer on weekly), WE AIN'T NO OPPRESSED VICTIMS."
Yes, Lita Ford is the hugely successful female Rock guitar musician version of this crying insanity.
So, Lita had help writing her life story (Martina Fasano). I don't think either of them sat down and said, "How should we steer this book? What should we emphasis and present you as? Do we want people to think you are a Slutty Bimbo moronic emotional disaster, or a Free-Rebellious woman conquering obstacles and leaving a proud dent in the world?
The book appears to honest. And filled with endless mayhem and irresponsible romances and relationships... as well as business decisions and Rockstar behavior. I'm sure an Axle Rose book would be somewhat similar. But would Axle label himself an oppressed Victim with the world against him??? No. All of Axle's problems are 100% his own. A real man would own up to them. So the problem is that Lita doesn't seem to own up to her self inflicted onslaughts of rebellion and poor decisions. Queen of METAL? Maybe the BARBARELLA BIMBO OF METAL would be more accurate. (I still consider Lee Aaron to be the Metal Queen.)
As other Goodreads reviewers have said, "Lita keeps telling us how she's the First and Greatest female Metal-shredder, GUITAR HERO, Punkrocker, Sex-Kitten, Designer Wardrobe creator EVER!" Yes, there's not much humbleness in this book. I'm okay with that ---- but please stop whining about how difficult and unfair your life and career have been. YOU WON! (kind of...)
Okay, I just watched a few hours worth of Lita Ford Videos on Youtube. And lots of interviews and live concert footage. Sorry Lita: Your guitar-playing is pretty good for a girl. But nothing better than a thousand bar band 80's rockers weekend coverband guys. You spend a good deal of the book trying to convince us you are all about the guitar. Yet most of your videos you spend half the time taking your guitar off and prancing about like a Kitten in heat. (I'm pretty sure that's what you were going for. So congrats!). But while you are acting like a Stripper THE OTHER GUITAR PLAYER in your band is doing the real work. Go watch the live Wembley concert footage for more than a few examples of this. If you want respect from MUSICIANS: keep your guitar on. You are a good picker after all.
But you're no Bonnie Raitt or Sue Foley or Nancy Wilson or (Raging Slab guitarist Elyse Steinman)
But your singing is very cool. And so is your dancing and prancing. Which is mostly what made your career. You also wrote some pretty good songs. Your videos and hits seem to be more Rock Pop tunes --- So I don't know where this Queen of Metal thinking is coming from. Other than your outfit and BC Rich guitars... you're not really much heavier than Pink or Avril Lavigne.
This book has very little info for serious guitar players or musicians. It's mostly about the parties and hookups. She doesn't mention Amps or much guitar techie stuff at all. This book is more useful to help young girls become Groupies than musicians. Yes, we get tales of her sleeping with Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore, Nikki Sixx, etc. (and then even Lemmy from Motorhead. Gah!)
We hear endlessly about her quest for RESPECT as a female musician... but the book just shows us her USING HER SEX APPEAL to leave her mark. At least guy rockstars are honest about this.
There's rather boring details about her failed marriage to Chris Holmes from W.A.S.P.. That's okay. He's rather scary news nowadays anyway. Go watch his latest music video if you dare.
There's a strange oppressive Twilight Zone mentioning of her failed 16 year marriage with Jim Gillette from the band Nitro. She's says very little and mumbles about there being court issues and childcare legal restrictions. (he had custody of the kids)
Here's some advice: If you want your children back (or to respect you?): don't write books about ALL OF YOUR behaviors past and present. Or at least do it maturely like Rod Stewart or Slash did. You're fighting for your children against professional adults with degrees and language skills --- maybe use your big girl words and cut down on the potty mouth profanities and embarrassing alcohol and Drug related mishaps. Just so you can play the game more efficiently. You should have maybe waited a few more years to put this book out. For the sake of your children.
Oh well, this is a wild ride through the 70's, 80's, 90's etc.
But there's nothing to be proud of here. Which reminds me of Tom Petty's song "Joe".
(about a CEO from a record company).
"Go get me a kid with a good lookin' face
Bring me a kid can remember his place
Some hungry poet son-of-a-bitch
He gets to be famous, I get to be rich
Or bring me a girl
They're always the best
You put 'em on stage and you have 'em undress
Some angel whore who can learn a guitar lick
Hey! Now that's what I call music!"
AS much as Lita doesn't admit it: that's what she calls a music career as well. Lita keeps complaining about how hard and difficult achieving success was and IS. Yet she made numerous albums, boasts of her hits, Legendary in 2 bands, toured the world numerous times, bought an island and lived on it, owned 10 properties and cool cars, guitar and amp sponsors, was in a tv show band with Clarence Clemons, jammed and slept with A-list music industry celebrities... and still does interviews and festivals all over the planet.
And she's still pouting and writing about it. Most musicians would sell their soul to the devil for a 10th of what Lita got and ruined. (not me! I just want some local respect and an awesome family)
Very similar to American Black people who run around still insisting they are oppressed victims. (Like my favorite Youtuber "Some Black Guy" roughly said: "We just had a Black President. There are endless Black athletes/actors/comedians making a Gazillion dollars. Black people have their own TV networks and Awards shows. There are Black Police officers everywhere. Endless successful Black business men, politicians, lawyers, Real-estate agents, Even a Black Nascar driver in Richard Petty's ol' 43 car (who I cheer on weekly), WE AIN'T NO OPPRESSED VICTIMS."
Yes, Lita Ford is the hugely successful female Rock guitar musician version of this crying insanity.
So, Lita had help writing her life story (Martina Fasano). I don't think either of them sat down and said, "How should we steer this book? What should we emphasis and present you as? Do we want people to think you are a Slutty Bimbo moronic emotional disaster, or a Free-Rebellious woman conquering obstacles and leaving a proud dent in the world?
The book appears to honest. And filled with endless mayhem and irresponsible romances and relationships... as well as business decisions and Rockstar behavior. I'm sure an Axle Rose book would be somewhat similar. But would Axle label himself an oppressed Victim with the world against him??? No. All of Axle's problems are 100% his own. A real man would own up to them. So the problem is that Lita doesn't seem to own up to her self inflicted onslaughts of rebellion and poor decisions. Queen of METAL? Maybe the BARBARELLA BIMBO OF METAL would be more accurate. (I still consider Lee Aaron to be the Metal Queen.)
As other Goodreads reviewers have said, "Lita keeps telling us how she's the First and Greatest female Metal-shredder, GUITAR HERO, Punkrocker, Sex-Kitten, Designer Wardrobe creator EVER!" Yes, there's not much humbleness in this book. I'm okay with that ---- but please stop whining about how difficult and unfair your life and career have been. YOU WON! (kind of...)
Okay, I just watched a few hours worth of Lita Ford Videos on Youtube. And lots of interviews and live concert footage. Sorry Lita: Your guitar-playing is pretty good for a girl. But nothing better than a thousand bar band 80's rockers weekend coverband guys. You spend a good deal of the book trying to convince us you are all about the guitar. Yet most of your videos you spend half the time taking your guitar off and prancing about like a Kitten in heat. (I'm pretty sure that's what you were going for. So congrats!). But while you are acting like a Stripper THE OTHER GUITAR PLAYER in your band is doing the real work. Go watch the live Wembley concert footage for more than a few examples of this. If you want respect from MUSICIANS: keep your guitar on. You are a good picker after all.
But you're no Bonnie Raitt or Sue Foley or Nancy Wilson or (Raging Slab guitarist Elyse Steinman)
But your singing is very cool. And so is your dancing and prancing. Which is mostly what made your career. You also wrote some pretty good songs. Your videos and hits seem to be more Rock Pop tunes --- So I don't know where this Queen of Metal thinking is coming from. Other than your outfit and BC Rich guitars... you're not really much heavier than Pink or Avril Lavigne.
This book has very little info for serious guitar players or musicians. It's mostly about the parties and hookups. She doesn't mention Amps or much guitar techie stuff at all. This book is more useful to help young girls become Groupies than musicians. Yes, we get tales of her sleeping with Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore, Nikki Sixx, etc. (and then even Lemmy from Motorhead. Gah!)
We hear endlessly about her quest for RESPECT as a female musician... but the book just shows us her USING HER SEX APPEAL to leave her mark. At least guy rockstars are honest about this.
There's rather boring details about her failed marriage to Chris Holmes from W.A.S.P.. That's okay. He's rather scary news nowadays anyway. Go watch his latest music video if you dare.
There's a strange oppressive Twilight Zone mentioning of her failed 16 year marriage with Jim Gillette from the band Nitro. She's says very little and mumbles about there being court issues and childcare legal restrictions. (he had custody of the kids)
Here's some advice: If you want your children back (or to respect you?): don't write books about ALL OF YOUR behaviors past and present. Or at least do it maturely like Rod Stewart or Slash did. You're fighting for your children against professional adults with degrees and language skills --- maybe use your big girl words and cut down on the potty mouth profanities and embarrassing alcohol and Drug related mishaps. Just so you can play the game more efficiently. You should have maybe waited a few more years to put this book out. For the sake of your children.
Oh well, this is a wild ride through the 70's, 80's, 90's etc.
But there's nothing to be proud of here. Which reminds me of Tom Petty's song "Joe".
(about a CEO from a record company).
"Go get me a kid with a good lookin' face
Bring me a kid can remember his place
Some hungry poet son-of-a-bitch
He gets to be famous, I get to be rich
Or bring me a girl
They're always the best
You put 'em on stage and you have 'em undress
Some angel whore who can learn a guitar lick
Hey! Now that's what I call music!"
AS much as Lita doesn't admit it: that's what she calls a music career as well. Lita keeps complaining about how hard and difficult achieving success was and IS. Yet she made numerous albums, boasts of her hits, Legendary in 2 bands, toured the world numerous times, bought an island and lived on it, owned 10 properties and cool cars, guitar and amp sponsors, was in a tv show band with Clarence Clemons, jammed and slept with A-list music industry celebrities... and still does interviews and festivals all over the planet.
And she's still pouting and writing about it. Most musicians would sell their soul to the devil for a 10th of what Lita got and ruined. (not me! I just want some local respect and an awesome family)
August 15, 2016
Overall, what I take away from this is that Lita Ford loved drugs, sex, her parents, her dogs, and most importantly, her talent. The rest is just random obnoxious filler.
I would think Lita Ford who is in her late fifties would look back as a mature adult and have something of substance to say about a remarkable career in a male dominated genre. I get the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll lifestyle, but give me more than just sex and drugs. The first half of this book reads more like a tell-all. She meets famous guy, snorts cocaine, has sex with famous guy, snorts cocaine, “shreds” guitar, and inserts stupid irrelevant story. Repeat. I liked her story about the Runaways, but she came off as being petty, jealous and slightly homophobic.
Other than tons of talk about her famous sexual partners , she offers random silly stories, for example, a flying cockroach, craving English chocolate, or stuffing her face with cheesecake. I read a detailed nauseating description of her experience with crabs (the STD). There is also a glamourous story of her having diarrhea while holding on to her tampon string. Really, that’s what Ford wants to share? What about her guitars, her equipment, her experiences on stage, her many tours, her personal motivation in songwriting, or her obstacles other than chauvinistic men? There are some small glimpses into songwriting (like the song “Lisa”) and she expresses how tiring touring with the Runaways was. She also mentions a touring prank with Poison, but there’s not enough substance or depth overall.
Eventually she gets serious when she marries Jim Gillette, but she shuts up about the divorce. Sorry, Lita sells it, but I’m not buying it. She doesn’t have enough power, money or fan base to sway law enforcement, judges, psychiatrists, or an entire court system. I don’t get the whole alienation thing. Her ex-husband has sole physical and legal custody. I’m guessing for a reason. (Out of curiosity I googled Jim Gillette and found some of the court documents posted on-line. Lita admits in court documents that Jim never hit her. So ummm? Plus, Ford writing lyrics wanting her ex-husband crucified and left to die as in the song “Mother” isn’t smart.) After her talk of Gillette and his evil ways, she goes on with her career and tosses out more random stories that I guess are supposed to have meaning. Like her infestation of black widows, her expired Visa and a switchblade knife. (Snore) In between such stories, her reunions with Cherie Currie and Joan Jett were interesting. I love Joan Jett.
What really got me was when she said the award she received from Guitar Player magazine in 2014 made her life “complete”. Really? That was it? Not her kids? Hmmm… I also highly question her statement that she and Michael Dan Ehmig “would go on to write some of the era’s greatest hits.” Seriously? Like what? I believe the biggest hits came from Madonna, Michael Jackson, Journey or Pat Benatar. I also take issue with her comment that the rock band Vixen was a bunch of Lita Ford “wannabes”. You’re not all that Lita.
What I did like about this telling was her relationship with “Edward” Van Halen and I was fascinated and shocked by her relationship with Tony Iommi, but after completing this book, I wonder how much I should believe. Although it was very brief, I loved what she had to say about Ronnie James Dio. He was one of my favorites. Plus, her love for her parents was deep. I could feel Ford’s loneliness after their deaths, but her decisions afterwards were her own and did not belong to anyone else.
This could have been so much more. Drop all the silly and gross stories, add some depth and detail about actually being the “queen of metal”, express more emotion other than the love and loss of her parents, and if she would have been open about her divorce, it would have been an entertaining memoir.
I would think Lita Ford who is in her late fifties would look back as a mature adult and have something of substance to say about a remarkable career in a male dominated genre. I get the sex, drugs and rock n’ roll lifestyle, but give me more than just sex and drugs. The first half of this book reads more like a tell-all. She meets famous guy, snorts cocaine, has sex with famous guy, snorts cocaine, “shreds” guitar, and inserts stupid irrelevant story. Repeat. I liked her story about the Runaways, but she came off as being petty, jealous and slightly homophobic.
Other than tons of talk about her famous sexual partners , she offers random silly stories, for example, a flying cockroach, craving English chocolate, or stuffing her face with cheesecake. I read a detailed nauseating description of her experience with crabs (the STD). There is also a glamourous story of her having diarrhea while holding on to her tampon string. Really, that’s what Ford wants to share? What about her guitars, her equipment, her experiences on stage, her many tours, her personal motivation in songwriting, or her obstacles other than chauvinistic men? There are some small glimpses into songwriting (like the song “Lisa”) and she expresses how tiring touring with the Runaways was. She also mentions a touring prank with Poison, but there’s not enough substance or depth overall.
Eventually she gets serious when she marries Jim Gillette, but she shuts up about the divorce. Sorry, Lita sells it, but I’m not buying it. She doesn’t have enough power, money or fan base to sway law enforcement, judges, psychiatrists, or an entire court system. I don’t get the whole alienation thing. Her ex-husband has sole physical and legal custody. I’m guessing for a reason. (Out of curiosity I googled Jim Gillette and found some of the court documents posted on-line. Lita admits in court documents that Jim never hit her. So ummm? Plus, Ford writing lyrics wanting her ex-husband crucified and left to die as in the song “Mother” isn’t smart.) After her talk of Gillette and his evil ways, she goes on with her career and tosses out more random stories that I guess are supposed to have meaning. Like her infestation of black widows, her expired Visa and a switchblade knife. (Snore) In between such stories, her reunions with Cherie Currie and Joan Jett were interesting. I love Joan Jett.
What really got me was when she said the award she received from Guitar Player magazine in 2014 made her life “complete”. Really? That was it? Not her kids? Hmmm… I also highly question her statement that she and Michael Dan Ehmig “would go on to write some of the era’s greatest hits.” Seriously? Like what? I believe the biggest hits came from Madonna, Michael Jackson, Journey or Pat Benatar. I also take issue with her comment that the rock band Vixen was a bunch of Lita Ford “wannabes”. You’re not all that Lita.
What I did like about this telling was her relationship with “Edward” Van Halen and I was fascinated and shocked by her relationship with Tony Iommi, but after completing this book, I wonder how much I should believe. Although it was very brief, I loved what she had to say about Ronnie James Dio. He was one of my favorites. Plus, her love for her parents was deep. I could feel Ford’s loneliness after their deaths, but her decisions afterwards were her own and did not belong to anyone else.
This could have been so much more. Drop all the silly and gross stories, add some depth and detail about actually being the “queen of metal”, express more emotion other than the love and loss of her parents, and if she would have been open about her divorce, it would have been an entertaining memoir.
March 21, 2016
I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this book, but I'll say it wasn't what I expected. The only writer credited to this book is Lita herself, and that would explain a lot of the way it was written (i.e. Lita is almost always the hero or the victim in her stories, she's the first rock n roll chick and the only one who has ever shredded on guitar, etc.). She does thank Martina Fasano for helping her co-write, but her name's certainly not on the cover.
The foreword by Dee Snider just served to annoy me right off the bat. He refers to Lita as "the only serious musician" in the Runaways, which is total bullshit. The world is not split into Lita Ford fans vs. Joan Jett fans, much as they would have us believe. While I am sure it was difficult for her to gain respect as a female musician, reminding us in every single chapter that "girls can rock!" seemed a bit overkill.
Let me say that I do consider myself a Lita Ford fan, and I think she deserves a certain amount of respect for her place in rock n roll. I also know that her marriage to Jim Gillette (whose name only comes up as "Gillette" or "my husband" in the book) was a very unhappy one that left her stifled for a very long time. Having said that, it's not that great a read. I wanted to know more about her as a person and as a musician, but I don't think there's anything particularly new presented here. Some of the stories are arbitrary, and I kept forgetting who a lot of these names were that she'd randomly throw out. I appreciate that she couldn't talk about her second marriage for 1.) the sake of her sons (who have been cut off completely from her since the divorce), and 2.) possibly legal reasons, but she could have expanded more on so many other things. Perhaps this just wasn't the time to write her memoirs, or perhaps she needed an active co-writer/editor to make it more cohesive and interesting.
Fun tidbits
-Lita acknowledges sleeping with the following:
* Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)
* John Entwhistle (The Who)
* DeeDee Ramone (The Ramones - gave her an std)
* Paul Cook (Sex Pistols)
* Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
* Eddie Van Halen
* Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue)
* Mick Cocks (Heaven)
* Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath - abusive relationship, were briefly engaged)
* Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi & Aldo Nova
* Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P., married, then divorced)
* that control freak she was married to for 17 years.
- She bought Nikki Sixx his first tattoo when they were in a relationship, just before Motley got big. He also told her that he wrote "Looks That Kill" about her.
- She also feels that the video for "Hungry" was awful and inappropriate (THANK YOU, LITA). Glad to know that wasn't her call.
- She disavows that horrible album she co-wrote with Jim.
I felt like this book could have been so much more than it was, or perhaps needed a few years to be written. It seems that the pain of her divorce and her children being cut off from her (so heartbreaking) is still very fresh. I do hope that her sons will be back in her life again some day, and then maybe that will inspire her to write more to fill in the blanks from this one. I still think Lita is as genuine as they come (even if some of the stories she tells seem a little puffed up), and I hope she continues rocking for as long as she's able.
The foreword by Dee Snider just served to annoy me right off the bat. He refers to Lita as "the only serious musician" in the Runaways, which is total bullshit. The world is not split into Lita Ford fans vs. Joan Jett fans, much as they would have us believe. While I am sure it was difficult for her to gain respect as a female musician, reminding us in every single chapter that "girls can rock!" seemed a bit overkill.
Let me say that I do consider myself a Lita Ford fan, and I think she deserves a certain amount of respect for her place in rock n roll. I also know that her marriage to Jim Gillette (whose name only comes up as "Gillette" or "my husband" in the book) was a very unhappy one that left her stifled for a very long time. Having said that, it's not that great a read. I wanted to know more about her as a person and as a musician, but I don't think there's anything particularly new presented here. Some of the stories are arbitrary, and I kept forgetting who a lot of these names were that she'd randomly throw out. I appreciate that she couldn't talk about her second marriage for 1.) the sake of her sons (who have been cut off completely from her since the divorce), and 2.) possibly legal reasons, but she could have expanded more on so many other things. Perhaps this just wasn't the time to write her memoirs, or perhaps she needed an active co-writer/editor to make it more cohesive and interesting.
Fun tidbits
-Lita acknowledges sleeping with the following:
* Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)
* John Entwhistle (The Who)
* DeeDee Ramone (The Ramones - gave her an std)
* Paul Cook (Sex Pistols)
* Glenn Tipton (Judas Priest)
* Eddie Van Halen
* Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue)
* Mick Cocks (Heaven)
* Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath - abusive relationship, were briefly engaged)
* Richie Sambora, Jon Bon Jovi & Aldo Nova
* Chris Holmes (W.A.S.P., married, then divorced)
* that control freak she was married to for 17 years.
- She bought Nikki Sixx his first tattoo when they were in a relationship, just before Motley got big. He also told her that he wrote "Looks That Kill" about her.
- She also feels that the video for "Hungry" was awful and inappropriate (THANK YOU, LITA). Glad to know that wasn't her call.
- She disavows that horrible album she co-wrote with Jim.
I felt like this book could have been so much more than it was, or perhaps needed a few years to be written. It seems that the pain of her divorce and her children being cut off from her (so heartbreaking) is still very fresh. I do hope that her sons will be back in her life again some day, and then maybe that will inspire her to write more to fill in the blanks from this one. I still think Lita is as genuine as they come (even if some of the stories she tells seem a little puffed up), and I hope she continues rocking for as long as she's able.
August 23, 2023
I enjoy reading memoirs by members of a band and getting multiple versions of events, a la the Japanese movie classic Rashomon. Who will I end up believing the most? What parts of the band's history are highlighted in the memoir? What parts are ignored or downplayed?
I've read Cherie's uber depressing memoir(it's like the book equivalent of Shoah, that 8 hour documentary about the Holocaust, tragic story after tragic story) and I've read a biography of Joan so figured I should get Lita's version of events. Sandy didn't write a memoir before she died. Still waiting on Jackie's memoir, which I imagine would be well written, considering that after performing in The Runaways she went back to college and ended up with a law degree from Harvard. Wow. Really highlights just how different the five members were from each other. Lita mentions that in the book, that the girls were not ever friends and were strangers when Fowley formed the band. They were very different people which made for a generally unpleasant experience for all involved. The band seemed to bring out the worst in all involved.
We would walk into radio stations and destroy the place with fire extinguishers and use the fruit platters in dressing rooms to see if they'd stick on the walls or the ceiling. The deli trays were good for ceiling decor, especially the cheese. Eyeroll. So lame to leave people to clean up your mess.
I would empty my refrigerator through the window into the open sunroof of a guy's Porsche parked below on the street. Cantaloupes, chocolates, Filet-0-Fish, whatever we weren't going to eat.
We thought it was hilarious More completely not funny antics.
We only had peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches that whole summer, and when we were finished with them, everyone would throw the plates out the window and into the river. We never had to do dishes that way. Hardy har har.
Once, there was a bee on the tour bus and I used the Aqua Net hairspray we had bought Martin as a blowtorch to kill it. The bus driver wasn't too impressed with me.
Men would throw condoms onto the stage, breaking down the barricades.Sometimes they'd jerk off into a rubber, add some bizarre ingredients like cooked noodles, and throw it onstage. It was both terrifying and thrilling. Thrilling?
Lita is such an unreliable narrator to the degree that I was entertained and not irritated. Everything she wrote I took with a grain of salt. Her ghostwriter really captured her lack of self awareness and general ignorance about life. I get it, she dropped out of high school at 16. She was an alcoholic for years and existed in a coddled rock star world for her teens and twenties. When would she have a chance to learn practical life skills? I do look amiss at her parents. They should have been more savvy but alas they were not. On a personal level her parents came across as loving and kind. I felt terrible for Lita when they died. They were her rock, her stability, in the batshit crazy world she lived in. However, they really dropped the ball in terms of life skills - why didn't they hire a lawyer to overlook her contracts? Help her invest her money? Help her buy real estate? Get her into rehab? Like many many rock stars, Lita was constantly dicked over by record labels, managers, producers etc. It's rare to read a rock star's memoir where they were not taken advantage of. Gene Simmons of KISS is one of the few I can think of who was savvy enough to protect his interests and make a ton of money.
At night we were beating off cockroaches and sleeping all day.When Gordon's wife, Lorraine, got there, she went to management and had the place sprayed. Why hadn't we thought of that? about a rental house she was in that had a pest infestation. That poor wife, having to do all the adulting.
At the time I did not know Don Arden was her father and her rival You are kidding me. She was so out of touch about how the music industry worked that she didn't know who Sharon Osbourne's dad was.
Lita has a hard time admitting any culpability, ever. She is always the innocent victim. Her versions of the many fights she was in over the years are really funny. For 'some reason' people attack her out of the blue. Mmmhmm. Sure. I got the impression she had a hair trigger temper. That could be a plus in her line of work, she doesn't write of any sexual assaults happening to her, but she came across as being a lot, really exhausting to deal with. I've read Nikki Sixx's memoir and he was a real piece of work too - I cannot imagine how awful the two of them together must have been, when they were dating. Yikes.
I laughed out loud when Lita was writing about the punk scene in London and she wrote about how great Nancy Spungen was. Oh yeah, you read that correctly. Nancy - of Sid & Nancy fame - Nancy, who in literally every single other book I have read about that period comes across as a nightmare, is depicted by Lita as being cool. Even in the book Nancy's mom wrote about her, Nancy is depicted as a terrible human being. Reading that Lita liked her.....hahaha, OMG it proved that I couldn't take her word about anything. Go watch the music documentary D.O.A. and the interviews with Nancy & Sid. That voice! Like nails on a blackboard. But Lita was ok with her.
Nancy was standing next to me. She was gorgeous, normal, and kind-hearted. What?!
Lita acts like she is the only woman to ever succeed in the music business. I get it, she needs to toot her own horn because no one will do it for her. However, she should have not made such blanket statements about how amazing it was when she was on the cover of a rock magazine, that she was the first one. Uh....a quick google search proves her wrong. Maybe she meant that one heavy metal magazine I had never heard of? Because in terms of well known rock magazines like Rolling Stone and Cream, there were female musicians on their covers. She didn't hang out with any other female musicians but they were definitely around.
She barely touches on the swivel in the music world from heavy metal to grunge & rap and how that was a huge impactful event. She makes out that her lack of success was due to her gender or due to crappy management. In reality, it was due to changing popularity in music genres. I was in my early/mid twenties at that point and vividly recall how dumb and lame those make up metal bands looked. It was a big change in terms of style. Her type of music seemed out of date and square. It was like the change from early rock bands with short hair and matching suits to long haired psychedelic bands. The difference between Motley Crue and Nirvana was vast. Lita couldn't seem to grasp that.
I appreciated that she glossed over her bad marriage and her 'lost' years - at least with her music stories I could figure out what was really going on. In her marriage it's very much a he said/she said thing. It does sound like they were not a fit and she married him because she was depressed and rudderless and he was bossy and took over. I am happy for her that she was able to divorce him and move back to LA.
I've read Cherie's uber depressing memoir(it's like the book equivalent of Shoah, that 8 hour documentary about the Holocaust, tragic story after tragic story) and I've read a biography of Joan so figured I should get Lita's version of events. Sandy didn't write a memoir before she died. Still waiting on Jackie's memoir, which I imagine would be well written, considering that after performing in The Runaways she went back to college and ended up with a law degree from Harvard. Wow. Really highlights just how different the five members were from each other. Lita mentions that in the book, that the girls were not ever friends and were strangers when Fowley formed the band. They were very different people which made for a generally unpleasant experience for all involved. The band seemed to bring out the worst in all involved.
We would walk into radio stations and destroy the place with fire extinguishers and use the fruit platters in dressing rooms to see if they'd stick on the walls or the ceiling. The deli trays were good for ceiling decor, especially the cheese. Eyeroll. So lame to leave people to clean up your mess.
I would empty my refrigerator through the window into the open sunroof of a guy's Porsche parked below on the street. Cantaloupes, chocolates, Filet-0-Fish, whatever we weren't going to eat.
We thought it was hilarious More completely not funny antics.
We only had peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches that whole summer, and when we were finished with them, everyone would throw the plates out the window and into the river. We never had to do dishes that way. Hardy har har.
Once, there was a bee on the tour bus and I used the Aqua Net hairspray we had bought Martin as a blowtorch to kill it. The bus driver wasn't too impressed with me.
Men would throw condoms onto the stage, breaking down the barricades.Sometimes they'd jerk off into a rubber, add some bizarre ingredients like cooked noodles, and throw it onstage. It was both terrifying and thrilling. Thrilling?
Lita is such an unreliable narrator to the degree that I was entertained and not irritated. Everything she wrote I took with a grain of salt. Her ghostwriter really captured her lack of self awareness and general ignorance about life. I get it, she dropped out of high school at 16. She was an alcoholic for years and existed in a coddled rock star world for her teens and twenties. When would she have a chance to learn practical life skills? I do look amiss at her parents. They should have been more savvy but alas they were not. On a personal level her parents came across as loving and kind. I felt terrible for Lita when they died. They were her rock, her stability, in the batshit crazy world she lived in. However, they really dropped the ball in terms of life skills - why didn't they hire a lawyer to overlook her contracts? Help her invest her money? Help her buy real estate? Get her into rehab? Like many many rock stars, Lita was constantly dicked over by record labels, managers, producers etc. It's rare to read a rock star's memoir where they were not taken advantage of. Gene Simmons of KISS is one of the few I can think of who was savvy enough to protect his interests and make a ton of money.
At night we were beating off cockroaches and sleeping all day.When Gordon's wife, Lorraine, got there, she went to management and had the place sprayed. Why hadn't we thought of that? about a rental house she was in that had a pest infestation. That poor wife, having to do all the adulting.
At the time I did not know Don Arden was her father and her rival You are kidding me. She was so out of touch about how the music industry worked that she didn't know who Sharon Osbourne's dad was.
Lita has a hard time admitting any culpability, ever. She is always the innocent victim. Her versions of the many fights she was in over the years are really funny. For 'some reason' people attack her out of the blue. Mmmhmm. Sure. I got the impression she had a hair trigger temper. That could be a plus in her line of work, she doesn't write of any sexual assaults happening to her, but she came across as being a lot, really exhausting to deal with. I've read Nikki Sixx's memoir and he was a real piece of work too - I cannot imagine how awful the two of them together must have been, when they were dating. Yikes.
I laughed out loud when Lita was writing about the punk scene in London and she wrote about how great Nancy Spungen was. Oh yeah, you read that correctly. Nancy - of Sid & Nancy fame - Nancy, who in literally every single other book I have read about that period comes across as a nightmare, is depicted by Lita as being cool. Even in the book Nancy's mom wrote about her, Nancy is depicted as a terrible human being. Reading that Lita liked her.....hahaha, OMG it proved that I couldn't take her word about anything. Go watch the music documentary D.O.A. and the interviews with Nancy & Sid. That voice! Like nails on a blackboard. But Lita was ok with her.
Nancy was standing next to me. She was gorgeous, normal, and kind-hearted. What?!
Lita acts like she is the only woman to ever succeed in the music business. I get it, she needs to toot her own horn because no one will do it for her. However, she should have not made such blanket statements about how amazing it was when she was on the cover of a rock magazine, that she was the first one. Uh....a quick google search proves her wrong. Maybe she meant that one heavy metal magazine I had never heard of? Because in terms of well known rock magazines like Rolling Stone and Cream, there were female musicians on their covers. She didn't hang out with any other female musicians but they were definitely around.
She barely touches on the swivel in the music world from heavy metal to grunge & rap and how that was a huge impactful event. She makes out that her lack of success was due to her gender or due to crappy management. In reality, it was due to changing popularity in music genres. I was in my early/mid twenties at that point and vividly recall how dumb and lame those make up metal bands looked. It was a big change in terms of style. Her type of music seemed out of date and square. It was like the change from early rock bands with short hair and matching suits to long haired psychedelic bands. The difference between Motley Crue and Nirvana was vast. Lita couldn't seem to grasp that.
I appreciated that she glossed over her bad marriage and her 'lost' years - at least with her music stories I could figure out what was really going on. In her marriage it's very much a he said/she said thing. It does sound like they were not a fit and she married him because she was depressed and rudderless and he was bossy and took over. I am happy for her that she was able to divorce him and move back to LA.
June 14, 2017
Even though I have always been a Joan Jett fan, Lita Ford was and is THE female guitar hero. Before starting this book, the only personal thing I knew about Ms. Ford is that she had been born in England. After a fabulously funny foreword by Dee Snyder, I was bit disappointed when I started LIVING LIKE A RUNAWAY, because I thought the writing style was too unpolished, on the other hand I thought refreshing that Ms. Ford had not used a ghost writer, although a friend helped her with some trifles, I felt it all sounded very spontaneous, and I enjoyed the tone very much. By chapter two, I was completely immersed in the book, and because of the writing style: I felt I was having intimate conversations with my best friend, who also happens to be a heavy metal legend.
Lita Ford’s story resembles other rock stars’ to a certain extent, however a lot of it is different, of course – unfortunately – because she’s a woman, but also for her relationship with her parents, especially her mother and how Ms. Ford handled drugs and booze. I loved her candour and her honesty, and she accepted her failures with grace. I did not know Lita Ford, the person, before LIVING LIKE A RUNAWAY, and I got to know, respect, and love the woman, and her integrity as an artist.
There is some vagueness regarding Ms. Ford’s second husband, and I fear it’s because of legal issues, but then again, I consider it one’s prerogative not to tell all; it is the memoirist’s choice, and I respect that as I would respect it from a friend.
Long Live Lita!
Lita Ford’s story resembles other rock stars’ to a certain extent, however a lot of it is different, of course – unfortunately – because she’s a woman, but also for her relationship with her parents, especially her mother and how Ms. Ford handled drugs and booze. I loved her candour and her honesty, and she accepted her failures with grace. I did not know Lita Ford, the person, before LIVING LIKE A RUNAWAY, and I got to know, respect, and love the woman, and her integrity as an artist.
There is some vagueness regarding Ms. Ford’s second husband, and I fear it’s because of legal issues, but then again, I consider it one’s prerogative not to tell all; it is the memoirist’s choice, and I respect that as I would respect it from a friend.
Long Live Lita!
January 31, 2020
My rating of this book is not based on the quality of writing. It certainly is not the best technically written book, the timeline is often confusing, and it could use some serious polishing in writing style.
However, I did not pick up an autobiography of a legendary guitar player thinking I would be reading a literary great. It delivered on everything I was actually expecting: a deeper look into some of my favorite times in rock history, a woman's inside perspective on that industry, an idea of what it was like breaking ground as a female in rock, and a book filled with stories of Lita's personal life.
It also added some things I was not expecting. For example, I was not expecting to cry, which I did over pages 184 & 185.
That being said, if you are in it for the things I was, pick up this book. If you are in it for great writing, you probably will not enjoy this book. I, personally, am glad I read it and hope that I get to see Lita Ford perform again in the future with added perspective from Living Like a Runaway.
However, I did not pick up an autobiography of a legendary guitar player thinking I would be reading a literary great. It delivered on everything I was actually expecting: a deeper look into some of my favorite times in rock history, a woman's inside perspective on that industry, an idea of what it was like breaking ground as a female in rock, and a book filled with stories of Lita's personal life.
It also added some things I was not expecting. For example, I was not expecting to cry, which I did over pages 184 & 185.
That being said, if you are in it for the things I was, pick up this book. If you are in it for great writing, you probably will not enjoy this book. I, personally, am glad I read it and hope that I get to see Lita Ford perform again in the future with added perspective from Living Like a Runaway.
March 6, 2016
Great book !! Recommended; she's honest , and I didn't know her before , but I feel I know her a little better now. I wrote a more lengthy review on Amazon as I will on my Bookshopworm.com site after I get through the small pile that's growing wildly! Back to Lita shes been a favorite of mine since I knew who the runaways I've always liked joan Jett more though Lita is part of one of my favorite duo songs of all time "if I close my eyes forever " she seems like she's been through a lot and I feel real bad about her kids getting taken away I hope she can rectify that one day
December 1, 2018
Lita’s stories are so wild and unbelievable, this is a super fast read and it’s totally fun to read all of her memories with all of these rock and roll legends. I felt inspired at points by her dedication to being a better performer and I loved hearing about her climb to success. The book jumps around a lot but tends to tie it all together, it’s not the most chronological story but it lumps memories together in easy to connect chunks. Fun read for sure.
February 28, 2016
Worth reading for the 80s stories alone, but there's also good stuff here about her wins as a woman in the male dominated metal world. The situation with her divorce and losing custody of her sons is heartbreaking.
Read
January 9, 2017This is the Donald Trump of memoirs. Did you know Lita Ford was the only girl in rock who could shred? Like literally, the only one. She was the best at shredding and she was a girl and no one shred better than her. She did some other things too, but she wasn't as good at them as she was shredding.
Read
August 2, 2022Lita Ford’s Living Like a Runaway is a rock memoir chronicling Ford’s time in The Runaways, a band that I listened to a lot in my college years, through her solo career as The Queen of Heavy Metal. Not surprisingly, Ford’s story includes plenty of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Metal fans will like how virtually any metal rocker you can think of appears somewhere in these pages: Ritchie Blackmore, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Ozbourne, Jon Bon Jovi (not so much metal on that one), Nikki Sixx, and many more. As a Runaways fan, I was fascinated by how members of the band continued to cross paths through the decades as they sometimes supported and sometimes antagonized each other.
May 4, 2021
Ah the rock and roll life style! Fun read, really a good story. Sort of drives me a little crazy when the timeline is all jumbled up though, skipping back and forth. She sure did go through a lot!
June 16, 2020
Yikes.
March 6, 2016
First things first: This is not the book it was purported to be when it first began being publicized. Both the Goodreads summation and the Amazon description have since been changed. This was the (paraphrased) description that initially appeared, courtesy of Blabbermouth.com:
"But in the end, Lita's story changes from a music story to a woman's story — a wrenching, desperate drama of human bondage and a mother's love, a life-and-death struggle over her own soul. Trapped in an increasingly terrifying marriage, systematically stripped of her connections to the outside world, Lita Ford became a prisoner in her own life, a slave to her husband's demands, living like a captive. She plotted her escape and her freedom cost her the boys she stayed in the marriage to protect. Her graphic, explicit story will terrify and horrify readers, but they won't be able to put it down.
Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/lita..."
The release of this book was pushed back multiple times (over a year and a half, I believe), something Lita attributed to her struggle in finding the right co-author. This may be true in part, but once the book gets to any mention of her marriage to Jim Gillette (she refuses to ever use his name-- whether for this is for legal reasons, or personal ones, we can only speculate), she puts in a heavily-emphasized disclaimer that she had chosen not to get into the details of the marriage, for the sake of protecting her boys from that information. Again: this may be at least partially true. But my suspicion is, if Gillette had the best attorneys money could buy to take everything he could from Lita, including her own children, he had the money/attorneys to keep anything about him from being published.
To see what could have been a powerful memoir about surviving abuse and losing one's children turn into a celebrity tell-all is heartbreaking. I hope that some not day, not only will Lita get her boys back, but she will be able to tell her real, honest, from-the-heart story. What little she *is* able to describe is sad and scary enough as it is. You don't have to know the details of her marriage to be able to read between the lines and experience a genuine bad-ass be slowly disempowered, isolated, and systematically controlled. I recall watching her on That Metal Show and, when asked about her possible return to music, she got choked up and tearful--something one does not expect from the self-professed "bitch" that is Lita Ford. The hair stood up on the back of my neck, and I thought, "There is something MUCH more going on here..." but couldn't put my finger on it. I can never know what was going through her head at that moment. But I have to think that for a woman in a domestic violence situation that no one knew about, to be reminded of who she had been, and the career and life her husband stole from her, it had to have been bittersweet: both that glimmer of hope, and that feeling of helplessness.
But back to what does end up in the book. In spite of at times falling into the trap of being a gossipy, name-dropping tell-all, this still paints a clear picture of a side of Lita most don't see, and never feels tabloid-y. Her hook-up stories don't feel gratuitous, and are usually either humorous, or set the stage for better understanding how such a tough chick like her could end up in a series of abusive relationships. I've worked with abuse survivors-- adults and children, women and men-- for over twenty years, and can say this presents a powerful message: Abuse can happen to anyone.
In this memoir, Lita comes across as surprisingly warm and likeable, without downplaying her (well-deserved) reputation of being tough, tenacious, and aggressive. It's a dichotomy that doesn't quite make sense, but it just goes to show: She's one of a kind, and there's a reason she attained the success she's had. She may kick your ass if you piss her off (or, apparently, sling a burrito at you), but she's also loyal as they come and if she loves you, she'll have your back for life.
I sincerely hope that someday she can be free to delve into the real story of surviving domestic violence, and what it's like to lose your children and watch them be turned against you. But until that day comes, we at least get to know a little more about a woman that, underneath it all, is a true survivor and warrior, and it's hard not to be inspired by that, and feel real compassion for her as a woman. I hope that this book at least sheds light on relationship violence and parental alienation, and can bring about better awareness and change, so others may not have to suffer as Lita has.
"But in the end, Lita's story changes from a music story to a woman's story — a wrenching, desperate drama of human bondage and a mother's love, a life-and-death struggle over her own soul. Trapped in an increasingly terrifying marriage, systematically stripped of her connections to the outside world, Lita Ford became a prisoner in her own life, a slave to her husband's demands, living like a captive. She plotted her escape and her freedom cost her the boys she stayed in the marriage to protect. Her graphic, explicit story will terrify and horrify readers, but they won't be able to put it down.
Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/lita..."
The release of this book was pushed back multiple times (over a year and a half, I believe), something Lita attributed to her struggle in finding the right co-author. This may be true in part, but once the book gets to any mention of her marriage to Jim Gillette (she refuses to ever use his name-- whether for this is for legal reasons, or personal ones, we can only speculate), she puts in a heavily-emphasized disclaimer that she had chosen not to get into the details of the marriage, for the sake of protecting her boys from that information. Again: this may be at least partially true. But my suspicion is, if Gillette had the best attorneys money could buy to take everything he could from Lita, including her own children, he had the money/attorneys to keep anything about him from being published.
To see what could have been a powerful memoir about surviving abuse and losing one's children turn into a celebrity tell-all is heartbreaking. I hope that some not day, not only will Lita get her boys back, but she will be able to tell her real, honest, from-the-heart story. What little she *is* able to describe is sad and scary enough as it is. You don't have to know the details of her marriage to be able to read between the lines and experience a genuine bad-ass be slowly disempowered, isolated, and systematically controlled. I recall watching her on That Metal Show and, when asked about her possible return to music, she got choked up and tearful--something one does not expect from the self-professed "bitch" that is Lita Ford. The hair stood up on the back of my neck, and I thought, "There is something MUCH more going on here..." but couldn't put my finger on it. I can never know what was going through her head at that moment. But I have to think that for a woman in a domestic violence situation that no one knew about, to be reminded of who she had been, and the career and life her husband stole from her, it had to have been bittersweet: both that glimmer of hope, and that feeling of helplessness.
But back to what does end up in the book. In spite of at times falling into the trap of being a gossipy, name-dropping tell-all, this still paints a clear picture of a side of Lita most don't see, and never feels tabloid-y. Her hook-up stories don't feel gratuitous, and are usually either humorous, or set the stage for better understanding how such a tough chick like her could end up in a series of abusive relationships. I've worked with abuse survivors-- adults and children, women and men-- for over twenty years, and can say this presents a powerful message: Abuse can happen to anyone.
In this memoir, Lita comes across as surprisingly warm and likeable, without downplaying her (well-deserved) reputation of being tough, tenacious, and aggressive. It's a dichotomy that doesn't quite make sense, but it just goes to show: She's one of a kind, and there's a reason she attained the success she's had. She may kick your ass if you piss her off (or, apparently, sling a burrito at you), but she's also loyal as they come and if she loves you, she'll have your back for life.
I sincerely hope that someday she can be free to delve into the real story of surviving domestic violence, and what it's like to lose your children and watch them be turned against you. But until that day comes, we at least get to know a little more about a woman that, underneath it all, is a true survivor and warrior, and it's hard not to be inspired by that, and feel real compassion for her as a woman. I hope that this book at least sheds light on relationship violence and parental alienation, and can bring about better awareness and change, so others may not have to suffer as Lita has.
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