History & Biography Carmelita Rosanna ‘Lita’ Ford was born in the UK, but moved to the United States as a child. She joined the girl-band The Runaways at age 16 first as a bassist and then as a guitarist. Ford actually left and returned to the band in time to record music. Once The Runaways had run its course in 1979 Lita put together her own band this time also assuming the role of the vocalist.
Her solo career started with two shredding hard rock albums before taking a more commercial bent. Out For Blood’s cover was, in fact, censored in Europe. Lita Ford opened for Rainbow. Lita had dated Ritchie Blackmore in the ‘70s. Mercury shelved an album called The Bride Wore Black and Lita soon changed record labels. Ford quickly opened for Black Sabbath where she met Tony Iommi. She and Iommi would soon become a couple before Lita would graduate to other guitarists and eventually marry W.A.S.P.’s Chris Holmes. She also had Metallica open for her in Germany in 1984. Lita Ford would tour with Axe Victims as support.
The Lita album featured the single Close My Eyes Forever, which was a duet with Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, did not coincidentally manage Lita Ford at this time. The song was a top 25 billboard hit and a regular video on MTV. The ballad was Ford’s commercial zenith. 1995’s Black was a disappointment for the fans and grungy. Ford married Nitro’s Jim Gillette and exited the professional stage. Gillette and Ford would move to the Caribbean and develop property. She did appear on Twisted Sister’s 2006 Christmas album. Lita, surprisingly, returned to the arena and was to play at 2008’s Rocklahoma festival in July. Wicked Wonderland, Ford’s first album in 14 years, was being issued in the autumn of 2009 through her own JLRG Entertainment label. The album was co-produced by her husband, former Nitro singer, Jim Gillette. Lita Ford snatched the opening slot on autumn of 2009’s Queensrÿche tour in support of the American Soldier album. Edel had now issued Lita’s Wicked Wonderland album. In a strange twist, members of Queensrÿche would act as the backing band for Lita on several songs. In fact, Lita and Queensrÿche singer Geoff Tate will perform a duet. Lita Ford signed a worldwide deal with SPV/Steamhammer in January of 2012. The band’s reformation album, Living Like A Runaway, which was a reference to her earlier band The Runaways was tentatively due in May. Lita Ford was picked to open for Poison and Def Leppard in the summer of 2012. Lita Ford picked The Bitch Is Back... Live as the title for a live album, which was due on October 28th, 2013 through SPV/Steamhammer. Lita Ford was touring with Sebbastian Bach, Ratt and Dokken in the USA.
Former The Runaways band-mates Lita Ford and Cherie Currie were performing live together for the first time in 37 years on Saturday, October 19th, 2013 at the sixth annual Malibu Music Awards at Smothers Theater at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. The song performed was The Runaways’ Cherry Bomb. Lita Ford was joined by Slash and Glenn Hughes during her show on Thursday, January 9th, 2014 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.
It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced November 11th, 2014 as the release date for the book Lita Ford - Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir. Ford released a new album, called Time Capsule, on April 15th, 2016 through SPV/Steamhammer. It was a collection of old songs Ford had dug up on various old tapes. Dokken, Lita Ford and Lynch Mob would conduct a U.S.of A. tour in 2020. Dokken singer Don Dokken and occasional Dokken and full-time Lynch Mob guitarist George Lynch were to conduct a joint encore. Skid Row and Warrant were to use the Live To Rock monicker for a USA tour in the summer of 2022. Quiet Riot, Winger and Lita Ford were to open select dates. Bassist Marten Andersson (Steelheart, Lizzy Borden and more) joined Lita Ford for her 2022 concerts. Andersson took over from Marty O'Brien who became the touring bassist for Daughtry. Tierra Segrada Rockfest at Tech Port Arena in Texas, USA on September 24th 2022 featured headliners Legs Diamond, Moxy, Lita Ford, Kingdom Come, Jack Russell's Great White and Jessikill. M3 Rock Festival was to take place in Columbia, Maryland, USA on May 6 and May 7, 2023. Bands appearing included Loudness, Extreme, Lita Ford, Slaughter, L.A. Guns and Kix. Lita was touring across the USA in the summer. She also had a Mexican concert planned for the Life After Death Horror Fest for December. Rock For Ronnie cancer charity in California featured Quiet Riot. Lita Ford, Dio Disciples and others in 2024. Lita Ford and Loverboy were announced as openers for Foreigner for the autumn of 2024. Lita Ford was booked to be part of the annual Women’s Rock Camp alongside Heart's Nancy Wilson (Heart), Sheila E. and others in 2024. Lita, and others, were to perform at Celebrating The Life And Music Of Jack Russell in California, USA for January 2025. The former Great White singer had died and the event's proceeds were to go to charity. Lita Ford announced a European tour for the summer of 2025. She was also booked at Steelhouse Festival in South Wales, UK.
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