LITA FORD: 'I'm Really Proud Of People Who Can Stand Up And Follow Their Dreams'

August 27, 2011

Sue White of The Saginaw News recently conducted an interview with '80s hard rock queen Lita Ford. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

On the recording process for her new studio album, which she says is pure Lita:

"Recording has changed so much; it's easier now. You just have to get in the groove. Touring has changed, too, and the way you sell records. Everything is online now. Everyone's moving into other things, too. There's a book out for everybody."

On her early years as a musician with the pioneering RUNAWAYS:

"It was really hard for me, when we broke up after five years together, to establish myself. I had to go to such extremes because no one would take me seriously as a guitarist. I was always in my hot pants and [lead singer] Cherie Currie was running around in her underwear, so I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise that they didn't look on us as musicians."

On her collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne on "Close My Eyes Forever":

"Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne fed off each other and it as wonderful for both of them. I thought she was fantastic, and I asked if she would be my manager. I was sitting on the Queen Mary, where it's docked now in California, with all these little restaurants and oyster bars inside, and I gave her a call. It was crazy, I already had everything in place, I had signed with RCA, but I just wanted her to fill those shoes. Sharon was a very powerful lady but I figured the worst that could happen is that she'd hang up on me. [After Osbourne answered with a drawled out, 'Yes, of course.'] I celebrated on the spot with my oysters and Bloody Marys."

On how band such as THE DONNAS and BIKINI KILL to THE BANGLES and the GO-GOS built their careers on the foundation Ford built in the business:

"I'm really proud of people who can stand up and follow their dreams, and if I was part of the soundtrack, well, that's what it's all about. Go for it, girl!"

On taking time off from playing music when she became pregnant with her first son:

"I wanted to devote myself to being a mom. I had been touring so long I started on the guitar when I was 11 and I was 38 then and I decided, after 27 years, it was time to disappear. [A second son came along, and now' they're at the point where they don't need me hanging around all the time. And I missed rock 'n' roll. It's still great, and there are still people who don't get it. But when I get out there, yeah, it's the best!"

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