Under the Influence with Terry O’Reilly

Episode: Interview with Genny Schorr, Punk Pioneer and Wardrobe Stylist to Rock Stars
Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Terry O’Reilly | Apostrophe Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode features an extensive interview with Jenny Schorr (also occasionally spelled Shore in transcript), a pioneering member of the early L.A. punk scene, founding member of the band Backstage Pass, co-owner of the legendary vintage store Straitjacket, and wardrobe stylist to rock stars such as Linda Ronstadt, the Bangles, Tom Petty, and more. Through storytelling and candid recollections, the episode explores Jenny's immersion in the countercultural energy of 1970s–80s Los Angeles, her rise as a punk musician and stylist, and personal anecdotes with icons from Paul McCartney to George Lucas. The interview is inspired by Jenny’s new memoir, All Roads Lead to Punk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jenny’s Roots and Musical Awakening (03:33–06:53)

• Born on Sunset Boulevard, Jenny grew up in a liberal and “pretty hip” household, attending love-ins and peace marches in 1960s L.A.

• Early exposure to Elvis Presley and the Beatles sparked her passion for music and self-expression through fashion.

  Jenny: “I was already styling myself with like petticoats when I was 4 and 5…. I always had stars in my eyes.” [04:24]

• With guitar lessons from a young babysitter who hung out on the Sunset Strip, Jenny moved from folk to electric guitar in high school, entering the male-dominated world of rock musicianship.

  Jenny: “Guys at my school weren’t into female rock guitarists. It was sort of a similar story to Joan Jett…not accepted, you know.” [06:19]

• Jenny auditioned for the original Runaways line-up with Kim Fowley, recounting unpleasant incidents and industry sexism.

The Rise of Backstage Pass and the Birth of L.A. Punk (07:47–13:58)

• Assembling her all-female punk band amid L.A.'s burgeoning scene was challenging—few women played rock instruments then.

• Punk provided an outlet for grief and rebellion after her mother’s death.

• Her bandmates worked in the music industry or as journalists—living “dual lifestyles.”

• Each band member took on a punk persona (e.g., "Jenny Body," "Marina del Rey"), echoing the inventiveness of the scene.

• The band helped lease and launch “The Mask,” a key punk venue co-signed by bandmate Marina and Brendan Mullen.

  Jenny: “We helped build the LA punk scene… We were one of the first bands in there. Other people started seeing us play—not really knowing our instruments that well—and it inspired others to do the same.” [09:19]

• Early punk culture was scrappy and close-knit: “We were a bunch of weirdos… just hanging out anywhere we could congregate.” [10:38]

• Naming the band “Backstage Pass” was an impromptu decision, sparked at the Rainbow Bar & Grill.

• Backstage Pass played with and was inspired by British punk imports, including The Damned and The Jam, and found early international attention—even before their first shows.

  Jenny: “We were in British magazines and in Japan before we even played. It was wild.” [13:59]

Wild Encounters: Paul McCartney, Devo, and More (14:20–19:29)

• Jenny and friend Tammy crashed Paul McCartney’s infamous “Wings Over America” party at Harold Lloyd Estate.

  • She describes sneaking in, rubbing elbows with A-listers (Michael Jackson, Frank Zappa, Jack Nicholson), and barely escaping security after getting too close to Paul and Linda McCartney.

  Jenny: “There’s Paul and Linda with their children on the staircase, like a Norman Rockwell painting… Then we got snagged.” [16:29]

• Backstage Pass opened for Elvis Costello, Devo, and the Mumps; she briefly dated Bob from Devo ("He’s so weird!") [18:55].

• Candidly addresses the mix of adolescence, clubs, drugs, and pain fueling the punk lifestyle.

  Jenny: “We were really acting out our pain. We both had a lot of pain… Sex was our superpower and we used it. But it was really coping with our mutual pain.” [19:29]

From Musician to Stylist: Straitjacket Boutique and Rock Star Fashion (20:24–24:20)

• Jenny transitions from performing to fashion, influenced by Tony, a seamstress/designer who would marry Stiff Records’ Jake Rivera.

• Straitjacket boutique opened on Third Street, catering to rock royalty with custom and vintage clothes.

  • Jenny explains how she and Tony would sketch and pitch outfit ideas directly to musicians at soundchecks.

  Jenny: “Any band that came into town came into Straitjacket… We made custom clothes. And we had an autograph book—all the pages are in the book.” [21:51]

• Styled Bruce Springsteen (for a Cream magazine cover), Nick Lowe, Squeeze, Tom Petty, and befriended Cameron Crowe.

Styling Legends: Linda Ronstadt and Touring the World (24:41–36:27)

• Jenny describes how a chance interaction at a Nick Lowe concert led her to become Linda Ronstadt’s stylist.

  Jenny: “I said something cheeky to her: ‘I know what you’re doing.’ She said ‘What?’ And I said, ‘You’re checking out Tom Petty’s ass!’ And she said, ‘I am.’” [26:29]

• Jenny brought Linda a fresh rock-inspired wardrobe, helping shape her image for “What’s New” and the Nelson Riddle tours.

• Moved into Ronstadt’s Brentwood mansion, brushed shoulders with musicians like Dwight Yoakam, and lived among “musical roommates.”

• Recalls Linda’s relationships (dating Jim Carrey, then George Lucas), celebrity encounters, and run-ins with O.J. Simpson.

  Jenny: “[Linda] said, ‘Jenny, I don’t trust that man.’ … Luckily for her, she sold that house before the whole [O.J. Simpson] incident.” [32:52]

• Helped source both tour wardrobes and streetwear for Linda, employing a mix of vintage fixes and new designs.

  Jenny: “It was really fun… She loved it because it wasn’t like Beverly Hills prices… For the Nelson Riddle stuff I bought her tons of vintage.” [34:17]

• Highlights Ronstadt’s professionalism and the positive, grounding influence she had—Jenny credits the experience with her own sobriety.

  Jenny: “[Linda] was a teetotaler… I’ve told her that, and it’s true, because I also gave up any kind of recreational drugs right before I met her… It was very grounding.” [35:03]

Later Years: Genre-Bending, Reunions, and Memoir Reflections (36:48–51:14)

• Remains close with Linda Ronstadt, describing Linda’s humor, intelligence, and enduring political engagement despite health issues.

• Discusses Ronstadt’s influence in bridging genres (from Spanish-language albums to American standards with Nelson Riddle).

  Jenny: “She was the first [rock star to do American standards]… She actually did a recording with Jerry Wexler but later went with Nelson Riddle.” [39:09]

• Backstage Pass reunion: After decades, the band reunited for select shows (“band dynamics never change…” [46:58]) and included original demos and QR codes with Jenny’s memoir.

• Reflects candidly on writing All Roads Lead to Punk—addressing bisexuality (and being prematurely “outed” by Kim Fowley), family struggles, and the emotional process of revisiting her youth.

  Jenny: “It’s like juicy 70s stories, 80s stories… I think some people can relate to it that have had trouble with their family… It’s been great to put myself out there and people seem to really dig it.” [50:16]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the energy of punk:
  “We were a bunch of weirdos, you know… wherever we could congregate and be together.” (Jenny, 10:38)

• On Backstage Pass’ impact:
  “We didn’t really know our instruments… but it inspired others to do the same.” (Jenny, 09:19)

• On opening for legends:
  “We got to open for Elvis Costello.” (Jenny, 12:47)
  “We opened for Devo… They scared me a little bit.” (Jenny, 18:46)

• On backstage fashion:
  “I was there when Tony made Nick Lowe’s Riddler suit… It was shark skin, green, with the black question marks.” (Jenny, 21:12)

• On celebrity parties:
  “There’s Paul and Linda with their children on the staircase, like a Norman Rockwell painting… Then we got snagged.” (Jenny, 16:29)

• On Linda Ronstadt’s integrity:
  “She started to become very protective about her private life… She was never photographed with George Lucas.” (Jenny, 36:27)

• On looking back:
  “It’s a little bit gnarly… Some of it was painful, remembering my mom’s illness and death.” (Jenny, 48:44)

Important Timestamps

• 03:33 Jenny recounts her bohemian upbringing in 60s L.A.
• 06:19 Discusses being a woman in early rock and auditioning for the Runaways.
• 09:19 On forming Backstage Pass and the origins of L.A. punk venues such as The Mask.
• 13:59 Early fame: the band featured in British and Japanese press.
• 14:37 Crashing McCartney’s “Wings over America” party.
• 17:48 Backstage Pass opens for Elvis Costello and Attractions.
• 20:24 Transition into vintage fashion and opening Straitjacket boutique.
• 24:48 How she became Linda Ronstadt’s stylist.
• 32:49 Linda’s instincts about O.J. Simpson; the Brentwood era.
• 35:03 How Ronstadt’s sobriety influenced Jenny’s own path.
• 39:09 On Ronstadt pioneering the “standards” album trend.
• 42:55 Backstage Pass reunion, recording, and new releases.
• 48:44 Jenny’s reflections on writing her memoir.
• 51:14 Book proceeds benefiting Junior High LA, a nonprofit run by Jenny’s child.

Conclusion

Through Jenny Schorr’s vivid storytelling, this episode offers a rare, unvarnished look at the intertwined worlds of Los Angeles punk, rock stardom, and fashion from a woman’s perspective. Her life, chronicled in All Roads Lead to Punk, reflects both the rebellious joy and profound personal struggles of an era. From infiltrating exclusive parties to shaping the looks of icons, and from punk clubs to world tours, Jenny’s journey is one of survival, creativity, and community—a legacy that helps new generations find their own space in the arts.

All proceeds from Jenny’s memoir support Junior High LA, an inclusive arts nonprofit.