Lita Ford, a name synonymous with the world of hard rock, was a trailblazer in a mainly male-dominated world. As she once explained, “Rock and roll is basically a man’s world. You have to play, sing and shake your ass on stage – and not be afraid to let your make-up run”.

h/t: vintag.es

Born on September 19, 1958, in London, England, Ford relocated to the United States as a child and started playing guitar at 11. At 17, she became a founding member of the renowned all-female hard rock band The Runaways. Following the band’s dissolution in 1979, Ford pursued a successful solo career, gaining the admiration of her fellow musicians with her exceptional guitar abilities.

Ford’s first two albums, Out for Blood and Dancin’ on the Edge, achieved moderate success. In 1985, she received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Performance for ‘Gotta Let Go’. Nevertheless, by the late 1980s, the popularity of the “arena metal rock” genre was waning.

After a four-year break and a transition from Mercury Records to RCA Records, Ford made a comeback with her highly profitable album, Lita, in 1988. The album showcased her initial popular track, “Kiss Me Deadly,” and a collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne called “Close My Eyes Forever,” which marked the first top ten single for both musicians.

Ford’s journey in the male-dominated heavy metal industry has been extraordinary. She has not only survived but thrived by embodying the stereotypes associated with both genders. Her legacy as a hard rock queen remains a powerful source of inspiration for numerous aspiring artists.

Here are stunning photos of a young Lita Ford performing on stage during the 1970s and 1980s.