Cherie Currie's departure was a major loss for
the Runaways, but it was hardly a fatal blow. The female hard rockers still had a gem of a singer in
Joan Jett and a captivating guitarist in
Lita Ford, and they continued to offer sneering, in-your-face rock & roll on their third album,
Waitin' for the Night. This LP isn't quite as strong as
Queens of Noise, but is excellent, gutsy, and inspired nonetheless. From the jaded "Little Sister" to the catchy "Wait for Me,"
Night proved that there was indeed life after
Cherie Currie for
the Runaways.
Night did well in Japan, though in the U.S., the ladies of loudness still couldn't break through commercially. This band was definitely way ahead of its time, and it can't be stressed enough that everyone from
Girlschool to
Babes in Toyland,
7 Year Bitch, and
L7 owes the risk-taking but underexposed
Runaways a huge debt of gratitude. ~ Alex Henderson