Kim Fowley, a music producer and manager best known for launching the 1970’s all-girl punk rock band The Runaways, has died at the age of 75.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kim Fowley," independent music publisher Peer Music announced on its website Thursday.
With a successful, storied career in the music business spanning over 50 years, "Fowley was a singularly unique figure in the realms of rock history."
Fowley had bladder cancer and Billboard reports that interestingly, "former Runaways singer Cherie Curie cared for Fowley during his fight with cancer."
This was noteworthy given that "their reconciliation came in 2008 following years of legal battles over royalties and harsh verbal tirades in the press."
Beyond The Runaways, Fowley worked a range of artists like Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Modern Lovers, Blue Cheer, Kiss and Helen Reddy.
But it was the all-female group, which featured Joan Jett and released four albums in the late ’70s, that became a sensation and truly left his mark.
"There was a lurid quality to what he was trying to do" with The Runaways, Rolling Stone contributing editor Anthony DeCurtis said of Fowley’s vision.
The group of "the teenage girls being dangled out there as jailbait turned out to be really inspiring. What started out as a joke, became really serious."
Joan Jett and her post-Runaways group, "The Blackhearts," are being inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year. The rocker tweeted:
"Kim was a friend, he taught me so much. I am very sad."
Heavy metal singer Sebastian Bach also offered this message: "RIP my friend Kim Fowley the King of the Night Time World, a true Rock and Roll character."
Ariel Pink, a singer-songwriter, tweeted "rip Kim Fowley. No words. Prayers go out to his wife, kara. His music, life, and spirit will continue to be an inspiration."
British actor and musician Michael Des Barres mourned the "magician, manipulator & lover of rock ‘n roll. I learned & laughed & was in awe of him for 40 years."
R.I.P.