Movie Clip - The Runaways (Michael Shannon as Runaways' Manager Kim Fowley)

Movie Clip - The Runaways (Michael Shannon as Runaways' Manager Kim Fowley)

During the early 1960s, Kim Fowley was involved, as co-producer/co-publisher, with a string of successful novelty and cult pop rock singles. In 1973, Fowley produced three recordings by Flash Cadillac & the Continental Kids ("At the Hop", "Louie Louie" and "She's So Fine"), for the George Lucas coming of age film American Graffiti (1973). He also co-wrote songs for KISS, Helen Reddy, Alice Cooper, Leon Russell and Kris Kristofferson. In 1974, Fowley placed an ad in local fanzine, "Who Put the Bomp" looking for female performers. He hoped to form an all-girl rock band that he could produce and would perform his songs, but no one responded to the ad. In 1975, he met teen guitarist Joan Jett who expressed interest in forming an all-girl band. Less than two weeks later, he met 15-year-old teen drummer Sandy West who introduced herself outside of the Rainbow Bar and Grill on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. West told Fowley of her aspirations to form an all-girl band after playing in all male groups. This meeting led to Fowley giving Sandy West Jett's home phone number. The two met and began playing together at West's home the following week. A short time later, Fowley recruited guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Lita Ford, singer, songwriter 15-year-old Cherie Currie (lead singer) and bass guitar Jackie Fox. They eventually became The Runaways (all-female rock band). While he did produce some of their albums and contributed lyrics to songs, the band was primarily responsible for creating their own music. The group severed their ties with Fowley in 1977.