Runaways Bassist Accuses Manager of Rape

Original Runaways bassist Jackie Fuchs has leveled some serious accusations against the band’s manager, Kim Fowley (at right in photo).

In an interview with The Huffington Post, Jackie, whose stage name was Jackie Fox, says Fowley drugged and raped her at a party when she was only 16-years-old.

Fuchs, now 55, said the assault took place after the Runaways’ 1975 New Year’s Eve show in Orange County, California, after she was given quaaludes by someone she believed to be a roadie.

“I remember opening my eyes, Kim Fowley was raping me, and there were people watching me,” Fuchs said, referring to bandmates Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. She added that seeing her bandmates staring at her was her “last memory of the night.”

Jett, who was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, reportedly denied witnessing “the event as described here,” while Currie said she “spoke up and stormed out of the room.”

Fuchs says she’s speaking out about the incident now after hearing about the similar allegations against Bill Cosby. Two other women have accused Fowley of sexually assaulting them when they were teenagers. Fowley, who died in January, always denied allegations of sexual assault.

An interesting debate in the comments section where several readers feel Joan Jett needs to step up and talk about what went on, while others feel at 16, her memory of the event might be shaky.