Cherie Currie: From Cherry Bomb to Chainsaw Art
The Wild Child of Rock 'n' Roll: Cherie Currie's Turbulent Journey
In a shocking turn of events, the queen of 1970s punk rock, Cherie Currie, has resurfaced in Los Angeles, still rocking her signature platinum locks and a rebellious spirit that refuses to fade. The former lead singer of the legendary all-female rock band The Runaways is now 65 years old, but her fiery persona remains as unforgettable as ever.
Cherie's rise to fame began in the late 1970s when she was just a teenager, fronting The Runaways with her signature snarl and sass. Her iconic performance of "Cherry Bomb" catapulted the band to international stardom, earning them a reputation as one of the most influential bands of the era.
But behind the scenes, Cherie's life was marred by trauma and addiction. As she struggled to cope with the pressures of fame and her tumultuous personal life, she succumbed to substance abuse, battling cocaine and Quaaludes in a desperate attempt to dull the pain. Her addiction ultimately led to her departure from The Runaways at just 17 years old.
Despite her struggles, Cherie continued to work in music, releasing solo albums and collaborating with her twin sister Marie Currie. She even ventured into acting, appearing alongside Jodie Foster and Scott Baio in the 1980 film "Foxes."
However, it was only when she hit rock bottom that Cherie found true redemption. In the 1980s, she kicked her drug habit and went on to become a counselor at a substance abuse hospital in Los Angeles.
"I was only 25 when I got sober," she revealed in an interview with TheScholarlyNote.com. "A lot of these kids were around my age when they started using drugs, so it was a good fit for me."
In a stunning display of forgiveness and compassion, Cherie even took care of her former band manager Kim Fowley during his final days, despite the painful memories he had left behind.
"With Kim in particular, I really turned that around," she said. "Instead of dealing with the anger and resentment, I decided that only hurt me. He came from an orphanage, went through polio without any parental guidance... People can change. They can."
Cherie's remarkable journey is a testament to her resilience and determination. Today, she channels her creative energy into chainsaw woodcarving art, with a gallery in the San Fernando Valley where she grew up.
The legacy of The Runaways lives on through their music and the countless artists they inspired, including Joan Jett, who immortalized Cherie's signature song "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" with her own iconic cover. The 2010 biopic "The Runaways," starring Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie, brought their story to life for a new generation.
As Cherie looks back on her tumultuous past, she remains proud of the impact she had on the music industry and the women who followed in her footsteps. Her message of forgiveness and redemption is one that continues to inspire and empower fans around the world.
"I'm so grateful for that time," she said. "I would have done it again and again... I owe him a great deal, and I was very honored to take care of him towards the end of his life."
