Lita Ford – Lita (1988)

Lita is the third solo album released by American guitarist Lita Ford. It was released in February 1988 and is her first on RCA Records and her first published with the supervision of new manager Sharon Osbourne. The album features the song “Close My Eyes Forever”, a duet with Ozzy Osbourne, and the hit “Kiss Me Deadly”, which was named the 76th best hard rock song of all time by VH1. Musicians Don Nossov and Myron Grombacher, who were best known for being the rhythm section of the successful American singer Pat Benatar, joined Ford for the recording sessions and for the promotional tour.

The album reached No. 29 on the US Billboard 200 chart and the single “Close My Eyes Forever” peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is also featured on the video game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore. (by wikipedia)

Producer Mike Chapman helped Lita Ford craft her true breakthrough album, Lita, loading it with big, slick arena rock/pop-metal hooks and making it her most consistent solo album. Ford scored big hits with “Kiss Me Deadly” and the ballad “Close My Eyes Forever,” the latter a duet with Ozzy Osbourne and the first Top Ten single for either. (by Steve Huey)

Personnel:
David Ezrin (keyboards)
Lita Ford (guitar, vocals)
Myron Grombacher (drums)
Don Nossov (bass)
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Mike Chapman (background vocals)
Craig Krampf (additional percussion and drums on 07.)
Llory McDonald (background vocals)
Ozzy Osbourne (vocals on 09.)

Tracklist:
01. Back To The Cave (Chapman/Ezrin/Ford) 4.01
02. Can’t Catch Me (Ezrin/Ford/Kilmister) 3.58
03. Blueberry (Chapman) 3.47
04. Kiss Me Deadly (Smiley) 3.59
05. Falling In And Out Of Love (Ezrin/Ford/Sixx) 5.07
06. Fatal Passion (Ezrin/Ford) 4.41
07. Under The Gun (Ford) 4.48
08. Broken Dreams (Ezrin/Ford) 5.12
09. Close My Eyes Forever (Ford/Osbourne) 4.43

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Lita Ford – Westwood One In Concert (1984)

If the new Runaways movie sparked any interest in Lita Ford, then here is a short live set from Los Angeles in 1984 that was blistering then as it is now. Looking at the broadcast date and tracklist, it’s likely Lita Ford was promoting her second album, 1984’s Dancin’ On The Edge.

From 1975 to 1979, when the group split, Ford was the lead guitarist for The Runaways. If her 1983 debut solo album, Out For Blood, wasn’t a big hit, then it was left to the the single, Gotta Let Go, from Dancin’ On The Edge, to propel her to the top of the charts. Check out Run With The $ and the solo on Still Waitin’ to hear what a formidable guitarist Ford was.

Thanks to Philip Cohen for sharing the tracks.

Personnel:
Randy Castillo (drums)
Lita Ford (guitar, vocals)
Hugh McDonald (bass)

Tracklist:
01. Dancin’ On The Edge (Ford) 6.28
02. Out For Blood (Ford/Merryweather) 3.24
03. Dressed To Kill (Ford) 3.55
04. Run With The $ (Ford) 5.27
05. Still Waitin’ (Ford) 4.53
06. Hit ‘N Run ((Leib/Calhoun) 5.04
07. Lady Killer (Ford) 4.48

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