"Cherry Bomb" - The Runaways | Women's Slim Fit Tee

Kim Fowley Assembled the Band. The Girls Took It Away From Him.

In 1975, Los Angeles music hustler Kim Fowley had an idea: an all-teenage-girl hard rock band. He recruited Joan Jett, who was already writing riffs and knew what she wanted. He found Cherie Currie at a roller disco — she was 15, had never fronted a band, and looked like she'd walked out of a David Bowie fever dream. He added Lita Ford, technically the best guitarist in the room by a significant margin. He named them The Runaways.

"Cherry Bomb" came out in 1976. Currie sang it in a corset and platform boots. She was 16. The song was two minutes and twenty seconds of pure confrontation — no apology, no softening, no asking for permission. Radio didn't know what to do with it. Japan went completely wild for it. The Runaways toured there in 1977 to crowds that treated them like the Beatles. The footage exists. It is extraordinary.

Fowley's influence over the band corroded quickly. By 1977 they were pushing back. Currie left in 1977. The band dissolved in 1979 after five albums. Jett went on to form the Blackhearts and record "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Ford became one of the most technically accomplished rock guitarists of the 1980s. The Runaways' influence on riot grrrl, punk, and women in rock is direct and thoroughly documented — Bikini Kill, L7, Hole all cite them.

The 2010 biopic with Kristen Stewart as Jett and Dakota Fanning as Currie introduced them to another generation. It holds up because the source material holds up.

Also in the collection: Explore our full Classic Rock collection.

Premium Women's Fit

• Slim fit women's cut — Tailored silhouette, flattering through the body
• Fine jersey knit — Soft, lightweight, drapes well
• Prewashed — Minimal shrinkage, true to size from first wear
• Tear-away label — Clean comfort all day

Made to Order

For environmental and quality reasons, this tee is made specifically for you after you order. Please allow approximately one week for production. Tracking information will be sent as soon as it ships.