Cherie Currie
Encyclopedia
Cherie Currie is an American
singer, actress and chainsaw artist. Currie was the lead vocalist of The Runaways
, a hard rock
band from Los Angeles
in the mid-to-late 1970s.
district of Los Angeles
in the San Fernando Valley
. Her brother is Don Currie Jr., and her sisters are actress Sondra Currie
and her twin, Marie Currie.
Currie was the teenage lead vocalist for the all-female rock band The Runaways
with bandmates Joan Jett
, Lita Ford
, Sandy West
and Jackie Fox
. Bomp!
magazine described her as "the lost daughter of Iggy Pop
and Brigitte Bardot
".
Currie, not yet 16, joined The Runaways in 1975. The teen rock anthem "Cherry Bomb" was written for her at the audition. Attitudes to her impact at that time differ; one reviewer has written that "the received wisdom that [the Runaways] carved out new territory for female musicians is hard to justify - it's doubtful that the predominantly male audience who flocked to see the 16 year old [Currie] in her undies
picked up any feminist subtext".
After three albums with The Runaways, (The Runaways
, Queens of Noise
, and Live in Japan
), Currie went on to record three other albums. She recorded Beauty's Only Skin Deep
as a solo artist for Polygram Records. With her twin sister Marie, she recorded Messin' With The Boys
for Capitol Records and Young and Wild for Raven. She then worked as an actress, starring in movies such as Foxes, Parasite
, Wavelength, Twilight Zone: The Movie
, The Rosebud Beach Hotel
, Rich Girl
, and others, as well as numerous guest spots on TV series (Matlock and Murder She Wrote, among others).
Currie struggled with drug addiction throughout much of her younger life, which largely factored into why her career ended so abruptly. She later wrote a memoir called Neon Angel recounting life in the band and her traumatic experiences with drug addiction, sex abuse and her broken family. The Runaways
movie, a 2010 musical biographical drama film (which was executive-produced by Joan Jett
), focuses on the group's early beginnings and explores the relationship between Currie and Jett. In the film Currie is portrayed by Dakota Fanning
.
Currie was married to actor Robert Hays
in the 1990s and they had one son together, Jake Hays. They are now divorced.
In 2008, Currie contributed to Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's book, Cherry Bomb.
Currently, Currie is a wood carving artist who uses a chain saw to create her works.
Currie is putting the finishing touches on a new album, produced by current Velvet Revolver
drummer, ex-Guns N' Roses
drummer Matt Sorum
, due out in 2011. This will be Currie's first album since 1980.
During an interview with Cherie Currie and Matt Sorum on That Metal Show, Matt revealed that ex-Guns N' Roses and current Velvet Revolver band mates Slash and Duff McKagan as well as Smashing Pumpkins vocalist Billy Corgan, who has written and sings a duet with Currie, are also on the album. The rest of the album's line-up was also revealed on the Road Runner website.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer, actress and chainsaw artist. Currie was the lead vocalist of The Runaways
The Runaways
The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band that recorded and performed in the second half of the 1970s. The band released four studio albums and one live set during its run. Among its best known songs: "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise", "Neon Angels On the Road to Ruin", "California Paradise"...
, a hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band from Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in the mid-to-late 1970s.
Life and career
Cherie's parents were Don Currie and actress Marie Harmon. She was raised in the EncinoEncino, Los Angeles, California
Encino is a hilly district of the city of Los Angeles, California, United States. Specifically, it is located in the central portion of the southern San Fernando Valley and on the north slope of the Santa Monica Mountains...
district of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
in the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
. Her brother is Don Currie Jr., and her sisters are actress Sondra Currie
Sondra Currie
Sondra Marie Currie is an American actress.Sondra Currie was born in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of actress Marie Harmon, who made several movies in the 1940s. She is the sister of the twin singers Cherie Currie and Marie Currie. She began her acting career in several B movies...
and her twin, Marie Currie.
Currie was the teenage lead vocalist for the all-female rock band The Runaways
The Runaways
The Runaways were an American all-girl rock band that recorded and performed in the second half of the 1970s. The band released four studio albums and one live set during its run. Among its best known songs: "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise", "Neon Angels On the Road to Ruin", "California Paradise"...
with bandmates Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
, Lita Ford
Lita Ford
Lita Ford is a British-born, American rock musician and singer who was the lead guitarist for The Runaways and achieved popularity for her solo career between the 1980s and late 2000s.-Early life:...
, Sandy West
Sandy West
Sandy West was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and drummer. She was hailed by fans and critics alike to be a groundbreaking musician, as a drummer. She was one of the founding members of The Runaways, the very first teenage, all-girl hard rock band in the 1970s.-Early life:Sandy was...
and Jackie Fox
Jackie Fox
Jacqueline Louise Fuchs is an entertainment attorney in Los Angeles, CA. Under her former stage name of Jackie Fox, she was best known as bassist for the teenage, American all-girl rock band, The Runaways...
. Bomp!
Who Put the Bomp
Who Put The Bomp was a rock music fanzine edited and published by Greg Shaw from 1970-79. Later its name was shortened to "Bomp!". Shaw was one of the first and best known rock fanzine editors. Active in science fiction fandom as a young man, he became familiar with fanzines...
magazine described her as "the lost daughter of Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
and Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot is a French former fashion model, actress, singer and animal rights activist. She was one of the best-known sex-symbols of the 1960s.In her early life, Bardot was an aspiring ballet dancer...
".
Currie, not yet 16, joined The Runaways in 1975. The teen rock anthem "Cherry Bomb" was written for her at the audition. Attitudes to her impact at that time differ; one reviewer has written that "the received wisdom that [the Runaways] carved out new territory for female musicians is hard to justify - it's doubtful that the predominantly male audience who flocked to see the 16 year old [Currie] in her undies
Undergarment
Undergarments or underwear are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges, shape the body, and provide support for parts of it. In cold weather, long underwear is sometimes worn to provide additional...
picked up any feminist subtext".
After three albums with The Runaways, (The Runaways
The Runaways (album)
The Runaways is the debut album by the American all-female rock band The Runaways, released in 1976.Website Allmusic has praised the record , comparing the band's music to material by Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Guns N' Roses.According to multiple sources including Cherie Currie , the...
, Queens of Noise
Queens of Noise
Queens of Noise is the second studio album by the American rock band The Runaways, released in 1977. The album has been called "a pop-metal pinnacle" and the band's "outstanding sophomore effort"....
, and Live in Japan
Live in Japan (The Runaways album)
Live in Japan is a 1977 live album from The Runaways. The album was never domestically released in the United States, although it was issued in Canada.- A Side :# "Queens of Noise" — 3:19...
), Currie went on to record three other albums. She recorded Beauty's Only Skin Deep
Beauty's Only Skin Deep
Beauty's Only Skin Deep is the debut solo album by Cherie Currie, released in 1978.-Track listing:#"Call Me at Midnight" – 3:21#"I Surrender" – 3:46#"Beauty's Only Skin Deep" – 3:51...
as a solo artist for Polygram Records. With her twin sister Marie, she recorded Messin' With The Boys
Messin' with the Boys
Messin' with the Boys is the second post-Runaways album by Cherie Currie, released in 1980. For this album Currie worked with her twin sister Marie.-Track listing:#"Messin' with the Boys" Messin' with the Boys is the second post-Runaways album by Cherie Currie, released in 1980. For this album...
for Capitol Records and Young and Wild for Raven. She then worked as an actress, starring in movies such as Foxes, Parasite
Parasite (film)
Parasite is a 1982 horror/science fiction film starring Demi Moore in her first major film role.-Plot:In the far future, an atomic disaster has reduced the world to poverty. Instead of a government, America is run by an organization called the Merchants, who exploit the degenerate remains of...
, Wavelength, Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie
Twilight Zone: The Movie is a 1983 science fiction horror film produced by Steven Spielberg and John Landis as a theatrical version of The Twilight Zone, a 1959 and '60s TV series created by Rod Serling. Those starring in the film are: Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Vic Morrow, Scatman Crothers,...
, The Rosebud Beach Hotel
The Rosebud Beach Hotel
-Taglines:"Where Sex and Laughter Run Riot""Make your reservation for an explosive time at ... The Rosebud Beach Hotel."-Plot:After taking over a failing Miami hotel with her workaholic fiance, Elliot , Tracy thinks model Monique Gabrielle has seduced her better half. She then tries to have an...
, Rich Girl
Rich Girl (film)
Rich Girl is a 1991 film that starred Jill Schoelen as 21-year-old Courtney, a wealthy girl from Bel-Air, California who wants to make it own her own...
, and others, as well as numerous guest spots on TV series (Matlock and Murder She Wrote, among others).
Currie struggled with drug addiction throughout much of her younger life, which largely factored into why her career ended so abruptly. She later wrote a memoir called Neon Angel recounting life in the band and her traumatic experiences with drug addiction, sex abuse and her broken family. The Runaways
The Runaways (film)
The Runaways is a 2010 American biographical film about the 1970s all-girl rock band of the same name. The film was written and directed by Floria Sigismondi, who based the screenplay on the book Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway by the band's original lead vocalist Cherie Currie...
movie, a 2010 musical biographical drama film (which was executive-produced by Joan Jett
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and actress.She is best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts including their hit cover "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 from March 20 to May 1, 1982, as well as for their other popular...
), focuses on the group's early beginnings and explores the relationship between Currie and Jett. In the film Currie is portrayed by Dakota Fanning
Dakota Fanning
Hannah Dakota Fanning , better known as Dakota Fanning, is an American actress. Fanning's breakthrough performance was in I Am Sam in 2001. As a child actress, she appeared in high-profile films such as Man on Fire, War of the Worlds, and Charlotte's Web...
.
Currie was married to actor Robert Hays
Robert Hays
Robert Hays is an American actor and is arguably most well known for his role in the movie Airplane!-Life and career:...
in the 1990s and they had one son together, Jake Hays. They are now divorced.
In 2008, Currie contributed to Carrie Borzillo-Vrenna's book, Cherry Bomb.
Currently, Currie is a wood carving artist who uses a chain saw to create her works.
Currie is putting the finishing touches on a new album, produced by current Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver
Velvet Revolver is an American hard rock supergroup consisting of former Guns N' Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, alongside Dave Kushner formerly of punk band Wasted Youth. Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland was Velvet Revolver's lead singer from their formation until...
drummer, ex-Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
drummer Matt Sorum
Matt Sorum
Matthew William Sorum is an American rock drummer and percussionist. Sorum is most famous for his 7-year stint in Guns N' Roses and supergroup Velvet Revolver , which is comprised in part of former Guns N' Roses members Duff McKagan and Slash .-Early career :Matt Sorum was born Matthew William...
, due out in 2011. This will be Currie's first album since 1980.
During an interview with Cherie Currie and Matt Sorum on That Metal Show, Matt revealed that ex-Guns N' Roses and current Velvet Revolver band mates Slash and Duff McKagan as well as Smashing Pumpkins vocalist Billy Corgan, who has written and sings a duet with Currie, are also on the album. The rest of the album's line-up was also revealed on the Road Runner website.
Studio albums
- 1976 – The RunawaysThe Runaways (album)The Runaways is the debut album by the American all-female rock band The Runaways, released in 1976.Website Allmusic has praised the record , comparing the band's music to material by Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Guns N' Roses.According to multiple sources including Cherie Currie , the...
- 1977 – Queens of NoiseQueens of NoiseQueens of Noise is the second studio album by the American rock band The Runaways, released in 1977. The album has been called "a pop-metal pinnacle" and the band's "outstanding sophomore effort"....
Studio albums
- 1978 – Beauty's Only Skin DeepBeauty's Only Skin DeepBeauty's Only Skin Deep is the debut solo album by Cherie Currie, released in 1978.-Track listing:#"Call Me at Midnight" – 3:21#"I Surrender" – 3:46#"Beauty's Only Skin Deep" – 3:51...
- 1980 – Messin' With The BoysMessin' with the BoysMessin' with the Boys is the second post-Runaways album by Cherie Currie, released in 1980. For this album Currie worked with her twin sister Marie.-Track listing:#"Messin' with the Boys" Messin' with the Boys is the second post-Runaways album by Cherie Currie, released in 1980. For this album...
(with Marie Currie) - 1998 – Young and Wild (compilation, with Marie Currie)
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Foxes | Annie | |
| 1982 | Parasite Parasite (film) Parasite is a 1982 horror/science fiction film starring Demi Moore in her first major film role.-Plot:In the far future, an atomic disaster has reduced the world to poverty. Instead of a government, America is run by an organization called the Merchants, who exploit the degenerate remains of... |
Dana | |
| 1983 | Twilight Zone: The Movie Twilight Zone: The Movie Twilight Zone: The Movie is a 1983 science fiction horror film produced by Steven Spielberg and John Landis as a theatrical version of The Twilight Zone, a 1959 and '60s TV series created by Rod Serling. Those starring in the film are: Dan Aykroyd, Albert Brooks, Vic Morrow, Scatman Crothers,... |
Sara | Segment #3 |
| 1983 | Wavelength Wavelength (1983 film) Wavelength is a low-budget, independent science fiction film written and directed by Mike Gray and starring Robert Carradine, Cherie Currie, and Keenan Wynn.The story involves a young couple who discover child-like aliens being held by the U.S... |
Iris Longacre | |
| 1984 | Murder, She Wrote Murder, She Wrote Murder, She Wrote is an American television mystery series starring Angela Lansbury as mystery writer and amateur detective Jessica Fletcher. The series aired for 12 seasons from 1984 to 1996 on the CBS network, with 264 episodes transmitted. It was followed by four TV films and a spin-off series,... |
Echo Cramer | TV episode: "It's a Dog's Life" |
| 1984 | The Rosebud Beach Hotel The Rosebud Beach Hotel -Taglines:"Where Sex and Laughter Run Riot""Make your reservation for an explosive time at ... The Rosebud Beach Hotel."-Plot:After taking over a failing Miami hotel with her workaholic fiance, Elliot , Tracy thinks model Monique Gabrielle has seduced her better half. She then tries to have an... |
Singing Maid Cherie | |
| 1990 | Matlock Matlock (TV series) Matlock is an American television legal drama, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of attorney Ben Matlock. The show originally aired from September 23, 1986 to May 8, 1992 on NBC, where it replaced The A-Team, then from November 5, 1992 until May 7, 1995 on ABC.The show's format was similar... |
Renee Thorton | Two TV episodes: "The Informer: Part 1" and "The Informer: Part 2" |
| 1991 | Matlock Matlock (TV series) Matlock is an American television legal drama, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of attorney Ben Matlock. The show originally aired from September 23, 1986 to May 8, 1992 on NBC, where it replaced The A-Team, then from November 5, 1992 until May 7, 1995 on ABC.The show's format was similar... |
Betsy Rhodes | TV episode: "The Suspect" |
| Rich Girl | Michelle | ||
| 2005 | Edgeplay: A film about The Runaways Edgeplay: A film about The Runaways Edgeplay: A film about The Runaways is a 2005 documentary that was produced and directed by former Runaways bassist Victory Tischler-Blue. Edgeplay chronicles the history of the all-teenage-girl rock band The Runaways, whose members included future rock stars Lita Ford and Joan Jett.Kim Fowley, the... |
Herself | Film by former Runaways bassist Victory Tischler-Blue documenting The Runaways' musical history. |