Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorraine Lewis.
Lorraine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am one lucky B. It’s been a fun wild ride. I started singing in junior high, in Albuquerque New Mexico and I joined girls chorus and eventually the acclaimed concert choir. It was a big deal in school to be a part of these groups. I got my first duet with another girl and drowned her out, according to my parents. From there I joined my first band when I was in High School and we started playing the local clubs. We played frat parties and had a blast! When Van Halen released their first album, I was in college and playing in a popular local band. I saw them live and was hooked! That’s it.. I’m gonna be David Lee Roth. Our local club dates became a big deal and people would line up on weekday nights to dance, hook up and party. Our stage shows were pretty epic for a small town with big lights, backdrops and top 40 songs. The band was called “Babe Ruthless” and I was the babe. Babe Ruthless eventually became Femme Fatale, but I left those players behind and moved to LA after a good friend of mine who lived in LA, told me there were no girls doing what I was doing. I made up my mind and moved to LA with my keyboard player. After trying to find players, I just ended up calling my brother back home and said “you have to be my bass player” and he brought a drummer and guitar player from another local Albuquerque band to LA to be my band. I guess you would say the rest is history. We played the Whiskey A Go-Go and got a record deal after playing 10 shows in Hollywood.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been a blast and looking back I wouldn’t change much. The biggest struggles were getting a female fronted rock band on the radio. Most stations would only play male dominated rock. On the promo tour of radio stations I knew Femme Fatale would not get the station if I walked in and saw a Vixen poster, or a Lita Ford poster. That’s just the way it was back then, not alot of room for female rockers on the radio. That was probably the biggest challenge. Getting radio play when the radio stations weren’t exactly giving out gold tickets!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
It’s crazy to think that 30 years ago when Vixen was on the radio and selling millions of records, that I would end up being their lead singer! I am truly honored and excited to be a part of this amazing Legacy band! Talented bad ass babes who are so much fun to be with on the road. Roxy is a really strong individual and is a monster player. She’s also super fun to hang out with! Britt Lightning is an uber talented guitarist who makes playing look easy. She’s also got a strong stage presence and sings great! Julia Lage on bass is also hugely talented with a golden voice and big bass chops. She’s a total pro and is fabulous to watch. Also our keyboardist Tyson Leslie is uber talented, sings amazing and can play pretty much any song you throw at him. This is a house of pros and I’m honored to call them my family!
I am also a casting producer for such hot shows as “my feet are killing me” on TLC, Naked and Afraid of Love on Discovery Plus, The Pack on Amazon Prime and many more!!
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I would say I was a pretty dorky kid, but happy. Nothing really phased me or got me down. My childhood was pretty basic, normal ish – a family of 6 kids. I pretty much raised my younger brothers and sister so I had responsibilities. I liked music, summer nights, going to drive in movies with my family and taking summer trips together stands out. I wouldn’t say I was shy, but I was born deaf in my left ear. It’s actually shaped funny. I was born with something called Microtia which is a deformity of the outer ear where the ear does not fully develop during the first trimester of pregnancy. I have never really let it bother me though and it does help me stay on pitch to have it closed. I have made the best of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: Vixenofficial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorrainerocks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lorraine.lewis.5477
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZn9gZ3npsY
- Other: http://vixenofficial.com/
Image Credits
First band image by Rock Legend Photographer Mark Weiss
