Will the Real Rebel(s) Please Stand Up?

With the recent passing of Malcolm McClaren and the Runaways biopic now part of the zeitgeist, it got me wondering: who are the rock'n'roll rebels this generation will be making Hollywood biopics about 30 years from now?

Every revolution (sonic or otherwise) has its group of defacto leaders, outcasts, and radicals-and punk rock was no exception. "The Runaways" documents many of then burgeoning 70s West Coast punk scene larger-than-life personalities like manager/full time scumbag Kim Fowley,  influential DJ Rodney Bingenheimer and of course, the teenage members of the all-girl Runaways. As the film illustrates, like any good revolution, its leaders too often become complacent or lured by fame and fortune; in the case of punk rock, the "movement" eventually became hugely profitable and as dangerous as the sneer on Avril Lavigne's lips. So where do some of the movie's cast of characters fit into the current rock'n'roll pantheon of heroes, freaks and yes, rebels?

As the biopic chronicles, the Runaways' members splintered after their implosion in 1979, with Joan Jett having the most chart success. Vocalist Cherie Currie starred in a few movies, penned a book and took up (chainsaw!) woodcarving  while guitarist Lita Ford released a number of solo albums and scored minor radio hits with Ozzy Osbourne ("Close My Eyes Forever") and the ultimate dumb party anthem "Kiss Me Deadly" at the end of the 80s. If you've seen the movie, you might've laughed out loud at the irony of Ford being shocked and offended at the sight of Currie's scantily clad magazine layout, when her entire subsequent solo career was spent in low-cut leather one piece pantsuits (much to the pleasure of horny 15 year old mulletheads). After a long absence spent raising her 2 sons, Ford recently reemerged as a tattooed jingoist in heels, pandering to her wannabe-biker fanbase with "Wicked Wonderland."

After floundering artistically in the late 80s with guitar based AOR, the 90s found Joan Jett rediscovering her punk roots, producing Bikini Kill's "New Radio" Ep in 1994 and serving as a Riot Grrl icon ever since. Clearly its Jett who has emerged as a punk rock matriarch in black eyeliner--continuing to release her own albums--and others, including Cherie Currie-- on her own label Blackheart Records.

The Runaways biopic reminds us all how much things have changed since those halcyon days. The spirit of these icons still inhabits a select few of the artists making music today. Which begs the question, when the smoke clears decades from now, which of our current "rebels" will still be standing? If you're gut is as big as mine, it's probably telling you that not many of the post-Nirvana celebrities still bilking their careers today to the Hot Topic masses (that means you Billy Corgan) will be still be upright.

I have my list, how about you?

Scott Crawford is BLURT's Founder and Editorial Director and was the founder, Editor in Chief and Art Director of Harp. He likes drooling dogs and gummy bears. Email him at scrawford@blurt-online.com