Runaways: Gold Star Demos
Date: 9/3/75
Location: Gold Star Studios, Hollywood, CA
Length: 13:33
Sound: A
Songs: 1. Rock N' Roll
2. Secrets
3. Thunder
4. Yesterday's Kids
5. You Drive Me Wild
Credits: Micki Steele: Bass, Lead Vocals
Joan Jett: Guitar
Sandy West: Drums
While occasionally misdated as 'late 1975', this recording at the famous Gold Star Studios (used by Phil Spector for many of his classic 1960s productions) in fact occured in early September, within four weeks of the band's debut concert. Although little time had passed since the session later released as 'Born To Be Bad', these recordings already show more aggressive and confident performances from the band. As such they are perhaps the best audio document of the Michael-era Runaways. Secrets, Thunder and You Drive Me Wild all appear in re-recorded form on the Runaways 1976 self-titled LP. The band again covered Rock N' Roll on their 1977 live album Live In Japan, while Yesterday's Kids was not performed after Micki's departure.
Releases: Although never officially released, this session was pressed onto a rare acetate vinyl, limited to only 105 copies produced. Bootleg copies and tapes have circulated since the 1970s, with the session being once aired on KROQ radio in 1986. [See Bitch #14]
Michael Steele
1975
Updated 12/15/2011
The Runaways - Acetate vinyl copy #63, 33 rpm record not available in mp3 - picture used courtesy of "Squiggs"
The Runaways - 1975 - picture used courtesy of "Squiggs"
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