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Mar 10, 2016 Web Exclusive By Frank Valish

To those of a certain age, Lita Ford was the ultimate guitar-rock goddess. With a provocative image and shredding skills to match the best of the era, Ford vaulted to the Top of the charts with such ‘80s glam rock hits as “Kiss Me Deadly” and “Close My Eyes Forever,” her power ballad hit duet with Ozzy Osbourne.

In Living Like a Runaway, Ford details her life in and out of rock and roll, from her start in The Runaways in the 1970s to her more recent day resurgence with ‘80s metal nostalgia. If there’s one thing that Lita Ford has in spades, it’s anecdotes. Living Like a Runaway is chock full of them. Like the time she had to teach wasted paramour Tony Iommi his own Black Sabbath parts. Or how she had a saucy romp with a some famous rock stars and her guitar tech (don’t ask).

Ford details her time in The Runaways and her relationship with creepy svengali Kim Fowley. She talks about her struggles being managed by Sharon Osbourne. And for all her dalliances, she is not very lucky in love. Iommi was violent, and the marriage she entered into with Jim Gillette, which she tiptoes around here in deference to her children, takes a great toll.

For the most part, Ford’s tale is a lighthearted one. The book is a fast-paced read and never bogs down. Much like an ‘80s guitar solo, there’s a lot of wild in here and not a ton of gravity. But it sure is a fun read. (www.harpercollins.com)

Author rating: 7/10