the Runaways

Cleveland, 1964-5

The Runaways were a band of Cleveland Heights HS students. The band members were Howie Chizek (guitar and vocals), Jim Nolish, Dennis Ackerman, and Jay Lafler. The band started in 1964, like many teen bands, at the start of the British Invasion

They released one 45 in 1965. "I'm a Runaway" was a local hit, produced by Eric Stevens (who was a classmate at Heights High)  in what must have been one of his first efforts. The record exists in two pressings with different publishing.

The band played local teen dances, and since there were not many local teen clubs in 1965, they played private parties, school fashion shows, and other one shot gigs. They also appeared on the Big Five (pre -Upbeat) TV show.

Three of the band members (Nolish was in 10th grade) graduated in 1965 and that was the end of the band. Howie Chizek became a radio DJ, the Cleveland Cavaliers announcer, and a radio talk show host on WNIR FM in Akron. He passed away in 2012

Discography:
I'm A Runaway / It Can't Be Long - Cle Town 101, April 1965