originally published: 05/09/2023
(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Lita Ford on Friday, August 4, 2023 at 8:00pm. Lita is an English-born American guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. She was the lead guitarist for the all-female rock band the Runaways in the late 1970s, before embarking on a successful glam metal solo career.
The hard rock / punk edge of The Runaways spawned hits like “Cherry Bomb” and “Queens of Noise”. Lita and the Runaways proved their timelessness in 2014 when “Cherry Bomb” was featured in the critically acclaimed Marvel / Disney Studios hit movie “Guardians Of The Galaxy” and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
In 1983 Lita launched her carrier as a solo artist with her début album “Out For Blood” establishing her as the premier female performer in rock and Heavy Metal. Lita quickly followed up in 1984 with the release of “Dancin’ on the Edge” which earned her a Grammy nomination in the Best Female Rock Vocal Performance category. The album produced the world charting single “Fire In My Heart” and the U.S. Billboard top 50 charting hit “Gotta Let Go”. The song, along with the video being in MTV’s top rotation began to make Ford a household name and face.
2018 Celebrated the 30th anniversary of the self-titled multi platinum “Lita” album. Released on February 2, 1988 the “Lita” album boasted four charting hit singles. “Back to the Cave”, “Falling In and Out of Love” (co written with Motley Crue’s Nikki Sixx) along with the world wide mega hits “Kiss me Deadly”, nominated for the MTV Video Music Awards Best Female Video of The Year and the certified gold ballad single “Close my Eyes Forever” featuring Ozzy Osbourne, which remained in the Billboard top 10 for 25 weeks.
In 1995 Lita Ford took a sabbatical from the industry. But in 2008 Ford answered the calling of her fans and returned to the stage. Alongside her live performances Lita followed up with two new studio albums. “Living Like A Runaway” and “Time Capsule”.
In 2016 Ford released her autobiography “Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir”. The books insight and vivid truthfulness so captured audiences that it quickly became a national best seller and awarded 4.7 stars out of 5 by Amazon. The book reached such critical acclaim that Lita was presented the “Outstanding Writer” award in 2017 by the Producers Choice Honors.
Tickets range from $49-$79 and will be available for purchase online starting May 12 at 10:00am.
The Newton Theatre is located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, New Jersey.
COLUMNS
This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from April 28 to May 4, 2026
Here is a look at shows taking place from April 28 to May 4, 2026 along with our featured listings and a look at some upcoming shows. New Jersey Stage offers previews of concerts throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas.
