I recently had the pleasure and distinct honor of sitting down with the reigning Queen Of Metal, Lita Ford, for yet another great Anderson’s Bookshops book signing event.
Lita Ford has been a permanent fixture in my life since that day in 1976 when I put the first Runaways record on my brother’s turntable and dropped the needle. Her good looks, tough rock star attitude, and expert guitar skills kicked down the door for teen girls all over the world. She proved that a girl could play just like a boy, which helped make recess on the music playground just a little more exciting.
As I read her book, Living Like A Runaway, I was astonished by the emotional peaks and valleys of her life. She’s lived a life of fame and fortune while also tasting the bitterness of obscurity and poverty. With an abundance of tragedy and heartbreak in the book, the overall tone is surprisingly one of joy and happiness. I had to ask myself, “How did she pull this off?!” I think I fully understood how it happened the moment I saw her at the signing event. Her smile was as electric as the guitar she commands. There was a genuine appreciation for her life that shimmered in her eyes; something that only comes from a person that is truly inspired by the positive things.
After our talk, it was time to say farewell, which seemed like more than just a goodbye to another musician. Instead, I found myself saying “until next time” to a friend that I had known for 40 years.
My heartfelt thanks to Ginny, Candy and the entire staff at Anderson’s Bookshops for granting me such a precious opportunity, and to my amazing editor Stephanie who made it all happen.
