Lady Killer
Lita Ford is back with a hot new album
by Chris Parcellin
Lita Ford has been rockin' for close to twenty-five years. First, as a teenager with the Runaways--and then as a solo artist. Her new CD "Greatest Hits Live" has all of her best songs, plus her brilliant, fiery guitarwork.
Lita is also featured in the upcoming motion-picture "Edgeplay" (directed by Lita's ex-Runaway bandmate Vicki Blue) which tells the story of the Runways.
D-FILED had the chance to speak to Lita and she was as forthright as ever.
What've you been up to, Lita?
LITA FORD: You mean besides getting married and having a child? That pretty much takes up most of my time. And I just released a new CD. It's a kick ass "live" show, recorded awhile back. There's also a studio track called "Nobody's Child". Also before that while I was pregnant I did a couple of tracks on a Japanese release called Stairways To Heaven. Guess you can figure out by the title it's a Led Zeppelin tribute. There's alot of great artist's on it and it was produced by Keith Olsen. I don't know if the fans here even know about it. I'm pretty sure it's available as an import. I do "Rock'n'Roll" and "Whole Lotta Love".

Have you played any gigs recently?
LF: No, not really the last bit of touring was a small West Coast tour I did, also when I was pregnant. It was a project my husband and I did called Rumble Culture. The best part of the project was I didn't really do any singing on it. It's the first time I ever got to just play guitar!



Why do you think heavy metal took such a nosedive in the early-'90s?
LF: If I knew the answer to that the recording industry would pay me big bucks to tell them!

Have you had a look at Vicki Blue's Runaways' documentary EDGEPLAY yet? What did you think?
LF: Sure I have! I think that it's great that Vicki is doing it. She's a very talented director and has I think, brought us all closer together. We're even going to do some recording for the her film.

Would you like to see a Runaways reunion?
LF: I've been trying to put the band back together for almost seven years. Of course I had an interest in doing it! So don't blame me if it doesn't happen.



Are you friendly with your old bandmates now?
LF:Yes, I talk to Sandy and to Vicki on a regular basis. And there's no bad blood with the other girls. Even after the split up and all of the years of separate careers, and just life itself, there is still a very strong bond between us all. When you grow up on the road (literally) like we did, I guess you can compare it to a college sorority. Well, a really wild college sorority!

I just interviewed the Great Kat. What do you think of her playing?
LF: I'm sorry, I've never had the opportunity to hear her music. Anyway, I've always been a dog person myself! (laughs)

Are there any bands out there that you like?
LF: No.

Do you have some cool stuff on your website?
LF: Yes and more on the way. I'm going to be doing a "Friends and Family" page (that's the working title) where I interview some of my friends for my fans. Some of the guys that are gonna do it are Carmine Appice, Joe Lynn Turner and Rikki Rocket! Also we have a contest going now for people to send in pictures of Lita Ford tattoos. I thought it would be fun to have their pictures up. The winner gets an autographed copy of GREATEST HITS LIVE. Check it out on my web site, LitaFord.com.



What's your current project?
LF: Well I'm getting ready to move to an island in the Caribbean. We're building a studio and a house there. That's where I plan on writing my next studio album.

Are you teaching your son to play guitar?
LF: James has a Fernandes guitar that has a built in amp--He's not playing yet, but he loves to turn it on & let it feedback!

You've had a kid now. Are you still hot?
LF: Hot? Yes, I had my first "hot flash" last week & my beard is coming in nicely, thank you.



So, we saw you on VH-1 screaming about rock'n'roll. Is the rock'n'roll back yet, or what?!
LF: I don't watch MTV- but I know when I'm ready to do a new record it'll be me as an artist-not what everyone else is playing & being brainwashed into buying.
© 2000 Chris Parcellin, All Rights Reserved.