Queens of Noise: The Real Story of the Runaways Hardcover – July 9, 2013

The Runaways have been a part of me for the majority of my life. Turned on to them by my babysitting cousin when I was seven years old, for whatever reason (there are many) this group spoke to me. Over the years I painstakingly collected albums, imports, magazines, clippings, and when I could find them, shirts. MOST of anything Runaways was always difficult to find, and it was a serious high when it would turn up. I had to have all things Runaways. My father even got involved, and was so proud when the rest of the world finally caught on and starting buying Joan Jett's records. He used to help me hunt for Runaways albums. On Long Island, New York that was no easy task. I remember how happy he was when he found me a copy of "Waitin' for the Night", then refused to let me listen to the final track because of the "F Bomb" at the end. A record store clerk even walked out to us with a copy of "Live in Japan" which I've always read was never released in the USA. But there it was in the Smithaven Mall on a Saturday night. Dad and I were both elated, like we'd found a rare treasure. I think I even brought it in for show and tell. NUTS, right?Over the years, people from my past I've run into have said to me "Do you still love The Runaways? I always remember that about you." The answer has always been and still is "yes." They have been with me through every chapter in my own life, and as I've gotten older I guess they've always been a perfect fit to the outsider in me. They were different, special and unique. The only problem was where to find anything about them. Sure, the internet has helped, and I'd discovered that there were fans even more detailed and crafty than I. Finally, a few CD releases, and Vicki Blue's "Edgeplay", which is great but somewhat slanted in its depiction of abuse over much else about the band, and is unfinished as it lacks so many stories that were around the band, as well as founding member Joan Jett.The rather recent film "The Runaways" was profoundly disappointing to me as a fan as it wasn't about The Runaways, it was about the singer, Cherie Currie, and Joan Jett. As a Runaways fan I loved all of the members, loved the group as a whole, and my favorites changed back and forth over the years. The eclectic mix of varied musical backgrounds made that band great. I left the theater with a lump in my stomach after seeing that film, as core member Lita Ford, a groundbreaking musician and the greatest female guitarist in history was not only ignored but vilified. Similar fates are so in the miniscule character depictions of drummer Sandy West and bassist Jackie Fox, portrayed as a fictional character with no lines.I thought that was it. No more behind the scenes to be had. I had thought finally, after all those years, I'd get to learn about one of the longest relationships of my life, my relationship with The Runaways, but no such luck. The movie cheated so many of us, as did "Neon Angel", as it was just unfair, one voice rewriting history and giving voice to four other characters now relegated to a fictional, one-sided voice.I wanted to know more, had to. I wanted to know what I couldn't find no matter how many magazines I'd collected, how many fans on the internet I'd been lucky enough to chat with. I actually never thought more insight would be available.I was wrong.Evelyn McDonnell has written the one and only stop for all things Runaways. Painstakingly compiled, this book is, if it's anything, fair. She often plays devil's advocate in attempt to tell every side of every story, which is truly what readers and fans deserve. Though the author may have her own opinions on some songs (which is a great addition, us fans have tossed over thoughts of the songs for years) when it comes to the members and all of the she said he said she said, McDonnell takes no sides and really, really tries to just tell it from as many points of view as possible. From beginning (and I do mean the very, very beginning of the groups' history) to end (there are so many built in, emotionally moving stories in this groups' bio) as many voices as possible are given their chance to tell their side of the story. I was so dissatisfied reading Currie's "Neon Angel" as there were so many contradictions, so much assigning blame, along with such a lack of self-awareness that I couldn't help but feel I wasn't getting the truth. "Queens of Noise" offers the surrounding players, original members, roadies, parents, friends, fellow musicians, tour details, siblings, and ALL sides of the stories. There isn't a chapter in this groups' history left out. Also, I'm so grateful that much attention is given to the foursome line-up, the 77-78 Ford, Jett, West, Blue era. So often overlooked in writings, this incredibly tight line up finally has a documentation of their important contribution to The Runaways' legacy. The same goes for the early players, Kari Krome, Michael Steele, Peggy Foster, and many others.At this point in time I thought I'd heard all there was to hear about my life long obsession, The Runaways. I'm so glad that I was so wrong, and so grateful to have this volume that is in part, a love letter to what I consider to be the greatest band of all time.

If I remember right, I was young, a girl, and hung out on The Bowery in the 70's and early 80's and spent a few months in LA at The Rainbow, The Whiskey and Sugar Shack. "Queens of Noise" pulls the California/Sunset Strip/Sugar Shack out of The Runaways. I loved learning about the earlier times in the girls lives. Kim Fowley seems to have been the best of the worst of what the 70's had to offer in terms of female/opportunistic exploitationists (if that's word, and if it isn't it should be.) Of all the documentation I've read, watched and experienced with The Runaways, this book does do its best to be fair, accurate, and share stories and information previously shrouded in tight-lipped secrecy based on loyalty(Vicki,Cherie,Sandy) fear of litigation (Fox, Vicki) and insidious control(joanandkenny.)Reading about Sandy's life after the band split was heartbreaking. She was arguably the most musically competent in the band standing side-by-side with Lita, if not a half-step above her for not using cliched T & A to draw more attention to herself. Not that Lita shouldn't have, it's just that Sandy didn't. She had natural chops, played with thick heavy sticks and was definitely schooled in the Bonham/Appice/Rondenelli/ Big Bang Academy of Rock. A chainsawed Sandy as a guitar playing Mermaid? Cherie must have known something NO ONE else knew about Sandy.... It was shock when Sandy died to those of us who weren't there, it was sad and depressing to read about her years of drug addiction and fight to keep her self-esteem at a non-lethal level.I loved the insight on how Vicki made it into the band, learning the bass lines until her fingers bled. That's rock-n-roll no matter what income level on which you were raised. She is smart, believable, talented, and was glad she had the balls to keep the camera rolling in Edgeplay. Like it or not that's what documentarians do. They reveal, they unfold, they tell the story from their POV. Slanted, says joanandkenny? Well, that was an easy fix, keep kenny out of it, and Joan could have put her "I'm really shy and private not at all self-loathing," self into legitimate therapy to rid herself of her angry resentment (fed by kenny's crazy take on reality) and stepped up to own her place in Edgeplay. Too bad joanandkenny love lawsuits as much as her fans love rock-n-roll.True fans? Get this book. It's the thesis on 70's all-girl rock-n-roll we were all waiting for. Here's what I would love to know more about...the on-going la traviatta of life after The Runaways. The tragedy of Sandy's death at such a young age seems like the actual manifestation of the feelings that the others who lived through this continue to live through. Lita, battered, having to leave her kids on an island? Vicki, working on films, photography, is there an Edgeplay deux-lux? Fox, smart enough to know not to engage in litigation, but does so anyway? That sounds like a woman unable to let go in her own special way. Cherie and Joan on the same stage and no "Cherry Bomb?" Do I hear joanandkenny whispering in Joan Larkin's ear? And of course the completely locked-down, that-of-which-we-do-not-speak-of life of joanandkenny. Hurricane Sandy not only hit Long Beach the adopted home of Joan Jett, but seems to have metaphorically hit every member of The Runaways due to her sheer force-of-nature and the reminder that feelings and emotions such as anger and love and OCD passion shoved them down the glitter lined rabbit hole.

I saw The Runaways live - when I was just 16 years old. As a result they're not just my favourite band of all time, they're one of my `favourite things EVER'. Which means that unknown to her, Evelyn McDonnell had one of the toughest of all tasks in satisfying me with her latest book. The great news is, she has more than succeeded and with flying colours too."Queens Of Noise" is wonderful achievement whichever way you measure it. Empathy for her subjects, knowledge, musical journalism, you name it, she hits the mark in absolutely every respect.This book is not only a MUST READ for all Runaways, Joan, Lita, Cherie, or Fowley fans, it's a MUST READ for every fan of music, or indeed, for anyone who ever had a dream.Meticulously researched, written with style and pace (which I sometimes find lacking with biographical matter) "Queens Of Noise" is a towering great triumph of a book which you certainly don't need to be an aficionado of the girls to enjoy, or appreciate. I give it SIX stars out of FIVE!

I am a die hard Runaways fan. The book does not reveal anything new. This author did not even make the effort to give us a little more background on the beautiful Laurie (seriously, who cares about Peggy). Just a lot of journalistic jargon here that has been assembled and copied from other sources. If you are new to the Runaways it may be ok, apart from being a boring read. You can find all the info on the net.

This is the definitive account of the band as it is objective in it's account and gives different points of view of disputed events from the other biography's out there.

Pretty good, nice to see all the main players involved but a bit 'technical' as far as some of the descriptions go. Star of the show is Sandy, brought a tear to my eye when the auther talks about her dying. Another aspect of this remarkable group of very young girls.

Love this book well worth a read