The Runaways Cherie Currie, wonder where she is or what she is doing these days?
Shockhound.com interviewed Cherie Currie recently and discovered that 35-years after her rock n’ roll days, Cherie is a chainsaw artist!
In this interview Cherie, now a 50-year-old mother, talks about sex, drugs and rock n’ roll, what else?
SHOCKHOUND: One of the earliest images of the Runaways that ran in Rolling Stone had all of you wearing matching Runaways T-shirts, meeting Robert Plant backstage.
CHERIE CURRIE: That’s right. That was in the very beginning. And meeting Robert was really neat. I mean, my God, he’s legendary! But he was just the nicest guy, and that was what was so weird about him — he was so nice. And it just made me think “Wow — there are actually really nice rock gods out there.” But what I really liked about Robert Plant was the fact that Kim Fowley, I think, was trying to get Robert to…well, Robert thought I was really cute. But he said, “No, no — I’m married, and I stay true to my wife.” And I’ll never forget that — I thought it was pretty cool.
SHOCKHOUND: You’re on Facebook now. Are you constantly turning down Kim Fowley’s friend requests?
CURRIE: Well, you know what? I’m fine with Kim. We had to make peace, because in the end I just realized — and I guess it comes with older age — that I just wasn’t comfortable with this anger inside of me anymore. And the thing is, we all make mistakes in life, every single one of us. All of us have a skeleton or two or three in the closet. So you know, I forgave him. And he apologized to me on the phone, he really did. And I could hear it in his voice — he meant it. I mean, how does someone like Kim Fowley deal with 15, 16 and 17-year-old girls? He didn’t know how to do it. And I realize that now, being the mother of a 19-year-old musician. And with us being girls, I can understand now why it was a little more difficult. You can’t excuse his behavior. But I can understand it a little bit better now. And the apology helped.
SHOCKHOUND: What seasoned advice have you given your son?
CURRIE: Well, my son’s favorite book is Neon Angel — the original. And it’s worth a pretty penny now, that original edition. It could probably pay someone’s rent at this point. But I was teaching Jake from a very young age what life is all about — I did not spare him. When he was old enough to understand, I let him know that there were bad people out there that were gonna take him away if he let go of my hand. I mean, I really put the fear of God into that child. Because I wanted to have him around when he was 16. And I know this world that we live in. I was abducted at one point by someone who was [wanted] for numerous crimes, and I just wanted Jake to know that this world out there is big and bad. And he’s grown up now just very secure and relaxed…he’s just turned out to be an exceptional man, and a fantastic musician. He was kicking Lita’s ass [Lita Ford, Runaways guitarist] when he was 15 on guitar. He’s truly one of the most talented people I’ve ever met, and I’m not just saying that because he’s mine. I’m saying it because it’s the truth.
SHOCKHOUND: This may sound crazy, but I really think it’s time for you to record again.
CURRIE: Well, thank you. But Kenny [Laguna, longtime Joan Jett collaborator] and I are talking about it, talking about doing a record. We were talking about it today, for the very first time. So we’ll just see what happens. But I gave up on that. I gave up on that ten years ago. But isn’t that funny? When you let go of something, it comes back to you, if it’s meant to come back. So that’s really kind of neat. But I really enjoy doing what I do. I love being a chainsaw artist — I love my life.
SHOCKHOUND: You made a living doing voiceover work for a while, too, right?
CURRIE: Oh, I did. For many, many years, on a weekly basis. And that was really wonderful. But now I’m just wide open to anything. And I think, also, the whole thing with Kim Fowley? Just letting that stuff go was a really good thing. And you know, no one was suffering with it but me.
SHOCKHOUND: And substance-abuse-wise, rehab teaches you a great lesson, if you’re ready to hear it: You use? You die.
CURRIE: Oh yeah. Honey, I’ve been to rehab and I know exactly what that’s all about. And for me, it was freebase cocaine that took me out. And I was literally close to death — the doctors actually told my family that I might’ve had two weeks left, tops. Maybe. But I survived. And I agree very much with the fact that you can’t keep it, you can’t keep it to yourself. And that’s how you stay sober and clean — you have to share your stories.
SHOCKHOUND: What did you think of Dakota Fanning’s performance in The Runaways, the first time you saw a screening?
CURRIE: Oh, my God — it’s just…just indescribable. And also, Dakota Fanning is my favorite actress of all time. And she did nail it. She’s incredible. And it’s really to the point where it’s so unbelievable, it’s such a dream come true, that I still can’t quite comprehend it. So I’m still in that gray area. I’m still waiting for the lightning bolt to hit and someone to shout, “Wake up!”
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