Lita Ford

Early Life

Lita Rossana Ford was born on September 19, 1958, in London, England, to Harry Lenard Ford and Isabella Benvenuto. At the age of seven, she moved with her family to the United States, eventually settling in Long Beach, California. Inspired by the legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, she began playing guitar at the age of 11, showcasing her mezzo-soprano vocal range.

Career

Ford's music career took off in 1975 when she joined the all-female rock band The Runaways, recruited by Kim Fowley. The band quickly gained fame, releasing their first album in 1976 and becoming a significant act in the late 1970s. However, internal conflicts led to their breakup in 1979. Ford then launched a successful solo career, signing with Mercury Records in 1982. Her debut album, "Out for Blood," was released in 1983, and she achieved major success with hits like "Close My Eyes Forever," a duet with Ozzy Osbourne, which peaked at No. 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Other notable songs include "Kiss Me Deadly" and "Back to the Cave."

Personal Life

Throughout her life, Ford has had a tumultuous personal life, including a brief engagement to Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi and a marriage to W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes. She later married former Nitro vocalist Jim Gillette in 1994, with whom she has two sons. Their marriage faced challenges, particularly when Gillette's reality TV ambitions created tension within the family. Ford's experiences, both personal and professional, are detailed in her autobiography, "Living Like a Runaway: A Memoir," published in 2016.