Happy Birthday Lita Ford!
Hitting the scene at the age of sixteen, Ford joined the all-female rock band The Runaways in 1975, and by 76 they released their first album. Behind the hit "Cherry Bomb", Ford and the band gained media attention and became a hot touring act during the late 70s. Alongside Joan Jett, Ford and The Runaways powered through the end of the decade, until their break-up.
In 1982, Ford signed with Mercury Records and kicked off her solo career, with the album, "Out for Blood", and though the album flopped, she followed it with 1984's Dancin' on the Edge. By the end of the decade she would sign with Sharon Osbourne Management, and break through with a more radio-friendly sound, as he 88 release "Lita," featured the hit singles "Kiss Me Deadly", "Back to the Cave", and the Ozzy Osbourne duet "Close My Eyes Forever", which became her biggest hit reaching No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
She would follow up with the album Stiletto in 1990, and find continued success with the singles "Hungry" and "Lisa", which was a song dedicated to her mother. The album didn't sell as well as Lita, but still she success with the album and tour, but eventually like all Glam Metal acts, the 80's gave way to the 90's and Grunge blew out what was a dimming candle on the genre. Ford would eventually fizzle out of the scene, but like many of the hair bands that have been getting a resurrgence in the new century Ford has newfound success on the road.
Lita Ford is one of the most influential female guitarists of all time, rivaled only by Nancy Wilson of Heart. The Runaways are one of the most infamous bands from the 70's and still and underground hero to true punk fans.
Happy Birthday Lita, you are a Queen of Rock and Roll!