The Runaways in 1977 from left: Joan Jett, Sandy West, Cherie Currie, Vicki Blue, and Lita Ford.
R.I.P. Sandy West
Issue #30
Runaways’ drummer lives hard, rocks harder, and dies quietly
By Sheba White
Published: December 1st, 2006 | 12:00am
At 16 years old, surfing and skiing tomboy and Huntington, California, native Sandy West was not quite “sexy and 17” when she and fellow rockers Kari Krome and JoRunaways’ drummer lives hard, rocks harder, and dies quietly an Jett began playing together as the Runaways in 1975. But nobody argued that she wasn’t a “little rocknroll queen.”
The Runaways went on to have hits like “Cherry Bomb” and “Born to Be Bad,” eventually releasing five albums and surviving numerous member changes (Lita Ford and Cherie Currie, to name a few), all the while fighting criticism with labels like “jailbait rock” thrown their way.
Throughout their short four-year history, there was always West’s explosive drumming and vocal support. She and Joan Jett were the two consistent members of the Runaways. Let’s not forget West’s perennially upbeat California surfer-girl attitude that stayed with her well into her days as the leader of the Sandy West Band during the ’80s and ’90s.
On October 21, 2006, after a yearlong battle with lung cancer, Sandy West passed away in San Dimas, California. She was 47. She was fierce. She was determined, loyal, and protective. She loved big and never regretted anything, except maybe the title bestowed upon her. “I don’t really like that word ‘Rock N’ Roll Star,’” West said in a 1998 members.tripod.com interview. It’s understandable that the humble West would feel this way. But we know better. Forget the star crap. She was a rocknroll queen.
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