Neil Merryweather | Lita Ford's "Our For Blood"


	LITA FORD “OUT FOR BLOOD” POLYGRAM – 1983 Lita Ford – guitars and lead vocals Neil Merryweather – bass, harmony and backing vocals Dusty Watson – drums and backing vocals Produced by Neil Merryweather Engineers – Joel Soifer, Nancy Lee Douglass, Curtis Drake, Laura Livingston, John Hanlon, Cliff Zellman, Rick Wildstrin, Tommy Neese Album Concept – Neil Merryweather and Lita Ford Art Direction – Glen Christensen Photography – Herbert Worthington III Songs Out For Blood Just A Feeling Ready, Willing and Able Die For Me Only (Black Widow) Rock and Roll Made Me What I Am Today If You Can’t Live With It On the Run Anyway That You Want Me I Can’t Stand It In a nutshell … Upon returning to LA from Europe in 1980, Neil was asked to manage Lita Ford. After meeting with Lita, Neil and Lita agreed to work together. Neil immediately obtained backing from Family Productions to support the band and took them into the studio to cut some tracks. Lita fired Raymond Marzano, the band’s bassist, and asked Neil to play bass. Neil helped arrange material and co-wrote songs with Lita including the album’s title track “Out For Blood”. He negotiated endorsement deals for Lita and the band with B.C. Rich Guitars, Slingerland Drums, and Risson Amps. Neil hand-made all the leather gear Lita wore on the album cover. Through his friend Russ Regan at Polygram Records, Neil brought in a seven year recording contract and a two album guarantee which was unheard of at the time. Neil brought super manager Shep Gordon in to take over management, but Lita rejected him. A deal was later made with manager Allen Kovac. Kim Fowley, Neil’s friend and the creator of “The Runaways”, warned Neil to watch his back, but Neil didn’t. Neil trusted and considered Lita a friend, but didn’t protect himself, and he was stabbed in the back and burned. The Lita experience was the straw that broke the camel’s back and Neil got out of music, but he’s back, thanks to a growing cult following and the internet. Want to know more? Click here to read more in Neil’s interview with Ruth McCartney.