Musician. Born Sandy Pesavento in Long Beach, California, she was a singer, songwriter, and a drummer. In 1975, at age sixteen, she co-founded the seminal all-female rock group the Runaways, which included members Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, Lita Ford, and Jackie Fox. While the group had little commercial success in America, they were a smash in Japan. They performed in arenas to sold-out crowds and released a live album that went gold. After they broke up in 1979, West formed her own group, the "Sandy West Band" and released the solo album "The Beat is Back." She continued to perform live in various venues until her death, and was acknowledged as an exceptionally fine and proficient drummer who influenced many women rock musicians. She died in San Dimas, California, at age 47.
Musician. Born Sandy Pesavento in Long Beach, California, she was a singer, songwriter, and a drummer. In 1975, at age sixteen, she co-founded the seminal all-female rock group the Runaways, which included members Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, Lita Ford, and Jackie Fox. While the group had little commercial success in America, they were a smash in Japan. They performed in arenas to sold-out crowds and released a live album that went gold. After they broke up in 1979, West formed her own group, the "Sandy West Band" and released the solo album "The Beat is Back." She continued to perform live in various venues until her death, and was acknowledged as an exceptionally fine and proficient drummer who influenced many women rock musicians. She died in San Dimas, California, at age 47.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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