For Sale: The Orchids Promotional Picture inscribed to Kim Fowley

Description

The Orchids were an all-female rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1979 under the guidance of Kim Fowley, the former manager of The Runaways.

This promo photo is really rare, not only because it’s inscribed to their manage, Kim Fowley, it predates their MCA days and Jan King. This photo features the original lineup of Sindy Collins, Ché Zuro, Sunbie Sinn, Linda McAllister and Laurie Bell. Due to contractual issues related to her age, Sindy was replaced by Jan King before the band’s self-titled debut album — The Orchids — was released in 1980. The following year, the band disbanded due to limited commercial success and lack of substantial label support.

What can be said of Kim Fowley? Among other things, Fowley was known for his abrasive, manipulative, and domineering management style, which many artists, including members of The Runaways, later described as exploitative. His career spanned six decades, and he was deeply involved in shaping the rock and pop scenes of the 1960s and 1970s. That and it’s tough to separate the art from the artist, huh? Which is my dumbed-down way of saying his legacy remains complicated and divisive.