LITA

Rip It Up, Issue 184, 1 November 1992, Page 4

LITA

Lita Ford is on her way to New Zealand later this month to do Clinics for Crate amps — Auckland November 29, Wellington Nov 30 and Christchurch Dec 1. Rip/tUp spoke to the former star of late 70s all-girl rock band Runaways, and successful solo rocker, early one Sunday morning about life in the fast and loud lane. Ford is between tours, between record contracts and is writing with a new young band. “They are excellent players, they’re helping me write the next album and they’ll be performing on the next album and tour with me.” There are rumours of a Runaways reunion? “I’m trying to reach Joan Jett. She’s not very good at returning calls. It wouldn’t be a Runaways reunion, it would be someting that her and I do, maybe a one-off song and a quick tour together.” “I think Joan is very talented and I’d like to do a song with her but it’s a matter of her schedule and if she’s into it.” Do you pleased to see more women rock players? “Yeah, there’s quite a few when I’ve been doing Crate clinics. A lot of female bands have given me theirt-shirts and their tapes. I just hope that more break through.” With your albums there’s been a “sex symbol” approach to marketing. Is this how you want your record sold? “RCA have never been really great at marketing rock & roll. But there’s nothing fake there, what you get is what you see.” Lita is looking forward to seeing Australia and New Zealand. " The weather, it’s pretty shitty over here, between the heat and the smog it makes it real hard to breathe, it’s not good.” How do you approach a clinic? “A Crate rep usually talks about the equipment and they push all the buttons while I play, showing people all the different sounds the amp does. I play guitar for a while and then I sign autographs, do photos and talk to everyone. That’s about it really, pretty simple. Then it was Lita’s turn to ask questions: What will the weather be like? What clothing shall I bring? The clinics take place Auckland’s Gluepot Sunday N0v.29 2.30 pm. Tickets $lO from Rockshop, Go West, Mainline, Musical Sounds and Trutone stores. Wellingon’s clinic is at the James Cabaret (Hania St) Monday Nov 30 at 7.30 pm. Tickets at Northern Music and Rockshop. The Christchurch clinic is at Southern Blues Bar (198 Madras St) Tuesday Dec 1 at 7.30 pm. Tickets at Rockshop and Mac’s Sound M.C.