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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
A very decent music autobiography, capably written (save for a few clangs of phrase and repetition) and extremely readable, despite the truly distressing nature of some of Cherie's story. I've seen people comment that it can be difficult to feel sorry for Cherie because she comes across as stupid, selfish and naïve, but I feel this can only be said if you lose sight of how incredibly, painfully young she was when most of the content of the book was happening to and around her. Cherie was only 15/16 years old in the Runaways, and not much older when her life continued to spiral downwards afterwards. I found her more than easy to empathise with, and was impressed by how she not only owned her faults and mistakes from her teenage years, but also reclaimed herself - from both what she had done and that which was beyond her control - and got her life together, beginning at only 24 years old. Everyone can be stupid, selfish and naïve as a teenager - it's more or less in the job description - but not everyone can be as brave, mature and determined as Cherie became in their mid-twenties. Put your teenage self - the real version, not one that is smarter, savvier and more stable - in 15-year-old Cherie Currie's position, and honestly ask yourself how you might have turned out after all she went through. It's a scary and sobering imagining. I'm glad I read 'Neon Angel', and think Cherie's story more than deserves its place in rock history, for many reasons.
I have not been able to get "Cherry Bomb" out of my head since I picked this up. "Hello Daddy, Hello Mom. I'm your ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-Cherry Bomb!" (Haha! Now it's stuck in your head too.)
There's not much I can say to sway anyone on this one. If you aren't familiar with The Runaways (the seminal 70's all-girl band that launched the careers of Lita Ford, Joan Jett and the author, Cherie Currie) and/or are interested in a certain breed of rock memoir, then you aren't likely to seek this book out anyways.
If you are on the fence, I can tell you that Currie writes clearly and modestly-if not always artfully-and she's been through a lot: fame as a teen-aged rock queen, a promising film career she ruined with a raging coke habit, assorted familial dysfunction that was really kind of heartbreaking, rape, and a near fist fight with Lita Ford (who, not surprisingly, is kind of a bitch.) Some parts drag a bit but other parts-especially about life during the Runaways era-are riveting. I also liked the stories she tells about her first movie role, Foxes, and her friendship with co-star Jodie Foster. And it is quite touching and amazing she survived it all, got clean, married Robert Hays of Airplane fame, had a kid and became-wait for it-a prize-winning chainsaw artist.
Foxes, by the way? Still a great movie.
There's not much I can say to sway anyone on this one. If you aren't familiar with The Runaways (the seminal 70's all-girl band that launched the careers of Lita Ford, Joan Jett and the author, Cherie Currie) and/or are interested in a certain breed of rock memoir, then you aren't likely to seek this book out anyways.
If you are on the fence, I can tell you that Currie writes clearly and modestly-if not always artfully-and she's been through a lot: fame as a teen-aged rock queen, a promising film career she ruined with a raging coke habit, assorted familial dysfunction that was really kind of heartbreaking, rape, and a near fist fight with Lita Ford (who, not surprisingly, is kind of a bitch.) Some parts drag a bit but other parts-especially about life during the Runaways era-are riveting. I also liked the stories she tells about her first movie role, Foxes, and her friendship with co-star Jodie Foster. And it is quite touching and amazing she survived it all, got clean, married Robert Hays of Airplane fame, had a kid and became-wait for it-a prize-winning chainsaw artist.
Foxes, by the way? Still a great movie.
I think once every young woman opens their musical doors to women like Suzi Quatro and Janis Joplin, The Runaways is the common pipeline to follow. This book was gifted to me by my best friends and wow what a read.
It's equal parts not surprising and devastating to read about how much these literal kids were put through. It's also interesting to read just how much the industry has changed but has also stayed the same in some very sad respects. As much as this music makes *me* feel like I could do anything, be anything, it's always heartbreaking to find out how much hurt there is behind how it was made. I enjoyed how this was written. Often times editors can edit the words of the author SO much that it doesn't sound like them. This one sounded like I was just having a conversation with Cherie.
The comment about Kelly McGillis was the only incredibly disappointing portion of the book. The book is twelve years old, and I'd like to hope Cherie has gained some insight as to why this paragraph was an incredibly damaging thing to say while addressing another SA survivor.
Otherwise, this was a difficult read to put down. I especially felt warmed by all mentions of her friendship with Joan Jett, who is obviously someone who remains important to her. The way she talks about her in this is so very special. My heart ached for both women while their relationship with Sandy was touched on.
MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING for anyone who decides to pick this up, but it's a small slice of rock n' roll history.
It's equal parts not surprising and devastating to read about how much these literal kids were put through. It's also interesting to read just how much the industry has changed but has also stayed the same in some very sad respects. As much as this music makes *me* feel like I could do anything, be anything, it's always heartbreaking to find out how much hurt there is behind how it was made. I enjoyed how this was written. Often times editors can edit the words of the author SO much that it doesn't sound like them. This one sounded like I was just having a conversation with Cherie.
The comment about Kelly McGillis was the only incredibly disappointing portion of the book. The book is twelve years old, and I'd like to hope Cherie has gained some insight as to why this paragraph was an incredibly damaging thing to say while addressing another SA survivor.
Otherwise, this was a difficult read to put down. I especially felt warmed by all mentions of her friendship with Joan Jett, who is obviously someone who remains important to her. The way she talks about her in this is so very special. My heart ached for both women while their relationship with Sandy was touched on.
MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING for anyone who decides to pick this up, but it's a small slice of rock n' roll history.
This memoir was mostly too depressing for me. Cherie Currie's story of her past with The Runaways is interesting but being surrounded by so many bad elements and the worst, Kim Fowley, took what was a pretty good childhood and turned it upside down. I did like some parts about her time with the Runaways, interesting Hollywood characters and a couple very chilling stories but it was dragged down by her drug use and crumbling home life. I was glad by the end that she slowly put he life back together.
Everybody thinks they want the rock & roll lifestyle. Currie writes frankly about the fact that sometimes, it just smells like dog shit and is full of swears. I'm a third of the way through and it is harsh. Still, Currie's written voice has an undertone of 'hang in there -- this is where I started, but I'm coming to the happy part.' I hope it's true!
Reading this through my own personal filter: The 70s sucked. Sex and drugs were treated so cavalierly. Currie is just enough older than me, like so many of the older girls I knew, who had sex too young and faced a lot of time without having a trustworthy grown-up to love and protect them. Moms: Our teenage girls need us! We can't take it personally when they're cranky. We have to love them and listen to them and be near them and give them rules (and freedom).
Spoiler alert:
You have to wait a reeeeeaaallly loooong time for the happy part. I'm very glad Currie got there.
Reading this through my own personal filter: The 70s sucked. Sex and drugs were treated so cavalierly. Currie is just enough older than me, like so many of the older girls I knew, who had sex too young and faced a lot of time without having a trustworthy grown-up to love and protect them. Moms: Our teenage girls need us! We can't take it personally when they're cranky. We have to love them and listen to them and be near them and give them rules (and freedom).
Spoiler alert:
You have to wait a reeeeeaaallly loooong time for the happy part. I'm very glad Currie got there.
I love reading rock memoirs, especially ones of "redemption."
It still boggles my mind how many were bilked out of their just due.
I appreciate Cherie's honesty as she details the highs and lows. Not the best written, certainly, but a definite page turner.
It really was a whole other paradigm at that time, the 60s and 70s definitely, and it was easy to get swept up in the madness of it all, something younger readers might be left thinking, wtf? I was east coast and then mid America at that time, and it boggles my mind still how interconnected the LA scene was during these eras...and beyond.
I remember poring over the pages of my Creem magazines, feeling like perhaps for the first time, I had identifiable role models in The Runaways.
I came away really liking Cherie and her transcendence of an odd time, and I encourage her to write more, in depth, about her continuing adventures.
It still boggles my mind how many were bilked out of their just due.
I appreciate Cherie's honesty as she details the highs and lows. Not the best written, certainly, but a definite page turner.
It really was a whole other paradigm at that time, the 60s and 70s definitely, and it was easy to get swept up in the madness of it all, something younger readers might be left thinking, wtf? I was east coast and then mid America at that time, and it boggles my mind still how interconnected the LA scene was during these eras...and beyond.
I remember poring over the pages of my Creem magazines, feeling like perhaps for the first time, I had identifiable role models in The Runaways.
I came away really liking Cherie and her transcendence of an odd time, and I encourage her to write more, in depth, about her continuing adventures.
Just didn't care. I was only reading it for a book challenge and I got bored.
Neon Angel is a fast paced and interesting read for anyone who has in interest in rock history, life on the road or anyone who can remember what it felt like being a rebellious teenager. Currie's writing style is honest and straightforward with a great balance of humor and depth.
It's surprised me to find out how much this woman actually endured in her life. I find it impressive that she is able to end the book on such an optimistic note despite all the darkness that surrounded her young life. Though, she seems happy and content, her story made me wish that her entertainment career would have been able to flourish more, whether it be in music or film.
If you are a fan of the Runaways, this book should be mandatory reading. Highly recommend it.
It's surprised me to find out how much this woman actually endured in her life. I find it impressive that she is able to end the book on such an optimistic note despite all the darkness that surrounded her young life. Though, she seems happy and content, her story made me wish that her entertainment career would have been able to flourish more, whether it be in music or film.
If you are a fan of the Runaways, this book should be mandatory reading. Highly recommend it.
Good book about the beginning of the Runaways and the trials Cherie Curry went through. It seems to be pretty honest about her problems and a good look at rock'n'roll history.