Sandy West, batería de The Runaways (The Queens of Noise)

SANDY WEST WILD THING

Hoy es un buen día, tres años después de su fallecimiento, para revisitar la entrada que le dedicamos el 10 de julio, 50 aniversario de su nacimiento.

Y para algo más, claro.

Who was a true member of the Runaways?

Con esta pregunta encabeza Cherie Currie un artículo en el blog "Sweaty Bitches of Rock ‘n’ Roll". Un lugar interesante para visitar. Avisados quedáis.

The Runaways fue una banda (mítica, claro) de la segunda mitad de los 70 del siglo pasado (esto queda como histórico). Creada en 1975, desaparece a final de los 70 para dejar paso a carreras independientes de sus miembros. La web de The Runaways es una caña. Hojead el libro, pasad las hojas con el ratón y conoced las anécdotas que nos cuentan mientras escucháis algunos de los temas de esta impresionante banda.

GOD!!! I’ve been hearing of all these girls that claim they were a member of my band, The Runaways. Frankly, I don’t remember them! I will not name names, I don’t want to be cruel, but hey! In the midst of all that’s going on with the movie, all the blood, sweat and tears that were shed by us five girls: Sandy West — RIP, we love and miss you, baby, Joan Jett, Lita Ford, me, and Jackie Fox, I can’t think of a single person that deserves to carry the torch as the family that were, as Jackie puts it, “The Famous Five”.

En la wikipedia he encontrado este gráfico sobre las formaciones que es para felicitar al redactor. Mira que es fácil! y mira que es inusual!

Yes, Vicki Blue joined after Jackie left. I only did a photo session and a rehearsal or two with her. She did go on tour and was a ‘part’ of the band. Micki Steele was a part of the trio before Jackie and I were involved but there was no deal. (So glad she succeeded with The Bangles. She’s a truly gifted artist).

The Runaways- Saturday Nite Special




The Runaways: The Greatest All- Girl Rock Band

Sandy West

Publicamos hoy esta entrada como un homenaje a Sandy West, batería de The Runaways, que hoy cumpliría 50 años si no nos hubiera dejado el 21 de octubre de 2006.
Rock'n'Roll de Lou Reed con The Runaways en Japon, 1977

The Runaways fue una banda (mítica, claro) de la segunda mitad de los 70 del siglo pasado (esto queda como histórico).
Queens of Noise con The Runaways en Japón, 1977

Driven by her ambition to play professionally, she sought out fellow musicians and other industry contacts in southern California with the idea of forming an all girl rock band. In 1975 she met producer Kim Fowley, who gave her the phone number of another young musician in the area, guitarist Joan Jett. When Joan and Sandy met shortly thereafter (Joan took a bus to Sandy's home to play through some songs) there was a palpable synergy between them, and the inception of the eventual Runaways arguably took place that day. The girls subsequently played for Fowley, who agreed to help them find other female musicians to round out the band, most notably Lita Ford and Cherie Currie.

Sandy West Band: Attraction & I Know where

After four years of recording and touring the world, The Runaways disbanded in 1979. As is often the case in the recording industry, the musicians, including Sandy, were not left with much of the revenue produced during the band's tenure. Sandy made varied attempts to continue her career as a professional musician, playing with other acts in southern California, releasing a solo album "The Beat is Back", and forming The Sandy West Band. None of these ventures produced significant income, so Sandy was forced to spend most of her post-Runaways years working outside music.

Sandy West Band: Lost in Loves Magic

Sandy appeared in the film "Edgeplay", a documentary about The Runaways produced and directed by the band's former bassist Victory Tischler-Blue, providing some of the more poignant interview segments, describing the things she needed to do post-Runaways for money. She worked mostly in construction, and spent a small amount of time as a bartender and a veterinary assistant. In other parts of the Edgeplay interviews, she alludes to the fact that she engaged in criminal activity in order to make ends meet (e.g., she describes how she had to break someone's arm for money they owed). She wraps up the interview nearly in tears, still confused as to why The Runaways couldn't get back together and keep playing. By her own admission in 2004, she never got over the band's demise.

SANDY WEST "Wild Thing" last message from a great Friend

In 2005, Sandy was diagnosed with lung cancer, which later progressed to a brain tumor, and she died on October 21, 2006 at the age of 47. Joan Jett said in a statement, “We shared the dream of girls playing rock and roll. Sandy was an exuberant and powerful drummer,” adding, “I am overcome from the loss of my friend. I always told her we changed the world.” Cherie Currie, the initial lead singer of The Runaways, said, "Sandy West was by far, the greatest female drummer in the history of rock and roll. No one could compete or even come close to her, but the most important was her heart. Sandy West loved her fans, her friends and family almost to a fault. She would do absolutely anything for the people she loved. It will never be the same for me again to step on a stage, because Sandy West was the best and I will miss her forever."

Joan Jett -Sandy West Tribute-In Loving Memory R.I.P

The title says it all really... it's Sandy's birthday today - and she would have been 50 years old. Unfortunately, as we all know, cancer took her 3 years ago. We believe she is 'thumpin them tubs' in a better place now, so let's raise a glass and all hail the Queen Of Noise. Rest peaceful Sandy. God bless x

I Love Rock and Roll ¿Se nota?

Y entre mis amores rocanroleros está, sin duda, Joan Jett nacida el 22 de septiembre del año de gracia de 1960. Tenía yo 3 añitos de vellón entonces.

Me gustaba mucho más con el pelo negro que con el rapado rubio. Pero para gustos los colores, dicen.

Fundó The Runaways, actuó en el Rocky Horror Picture Show, fue una de las dos mujeres en la lista de los 100 mejores guitarristas de la revista Rolling Stone (lista manifiestamente mejorable) ... y siempre me ha encantado.

As usual... let there be rock!


Para empeceishon, vamos a verla cantar Star Splangled Banner. Por joder. O por ejemplo.


Dirty deeds. Este video lo he visto millones de veces. Embelesado, si, lo confieso. Aunque le falta el último fotograma en el que aparece por un instante su cara en una sonrisa....


Real wild child. Aunque esos pelos no son de mi gusto, es tierno vela saludar al Ramone ese.


I hate myself for loving you. Sin comentarios.


Queens of Noise. The Runaways. Live Japan 1977


Cherry Bomb. Runaways en Japón. Era 1977.


Schooldays. Con las Runaways


ACDC


Crimson and Clover


I love rock'n'roll