Lita Ford with Special Guest Derek St. Holmes (lead singer from Ted Nugent) Performing at BMI Event Center in Versailles on November 11th.
Versailles, OH – Lita Ford’s career began in 1975 as a founding member and guitarist of the groundbreaking all female group the Runaways. The groups hard rock / punk edge 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 debut 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
top rotation began to make Ford a household name and face.
t all began in 1974 when St. Holmes’ band Scott opened a gig for Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes. Nugent was making a name for himself around the Midwestern portion of the United States, but thus far had been unable to take his music to the next level. After seeing, and hearing, the young St. Holmes on stage, he knew what was missing and invited Derek to join his band. Derek brought a strong set of pipes, solid musicianship and songwriting skills to Nugent’s music, and in March of 1975 the world was introduced to him via Nugent’s self-titled debut album. While it was Nugent slinging down the guitar licks, it was Derek’s voice all over FM radio singing the soon to be classics “Stranglehold,” “Stormtroopin” and “Just What the Doctor Ordered.” In addition, Derek wrote, arranged, and sang the classic tune “Hey Baby.” Derek quickly became regarded as one of the best voices on the international rock scene, all at the tender age of 22 years old. Nugent and St. Holmes continued their winning combination for three more iconic albums, Free for All in 1976, Cat Scratch Fever in 1977 and Double Live Gonzo in 1978. Derek also continued his on again/off again relationship with Nugent in both the 1980s, and ‘90s, co-writing several songs on Ted’s comeback album Spirit of Wild in 1996.
After years of Nugent fans begging Ted for Derek’s return, St. Holmes was invited by the Motor City Madman in 2011 to once again take his place on the Nugent stage. Derek appeared on Nugent’s 2014 album ShutUp&Jam, singing. Derek continues to be Nugent’s lead singer on many tours
General admission tickets are available now starting at just $25 or you can purchase a reserved seat between $25-$40. You can purchase tickets online at WWW.BMIEVENTRCENTER.COM or in person at BMI Karts & Parts’ showroom at 769 E Main Street in Versailles. Hours are M-F 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-2pm. Tickets will also be available at the door but the price increases the day of the show. Doors open at 5pm and show starts at 7pm.
