"I don't smoke, so they never sent me a copy"

Lita Ford’s statement, “I don’t smoke, so they never sent me a copy,” invites reflection on both literal and metaphorical levels, offering a glimpse into the social mechanics of the music industry and personal identity. On the surface, the mention of smoking hints at a specific subculture or an expected participation in group rituals or habits, smoking often stands as a symbol for belonging or camaraderie within certain circles, particularly in creative or rock and roll environments. To say “I don’t smoke” marks Ford as an outsider to that particular form of initiatory bonding, subtly situating herself apart from the typical stereotypes associated with rock musicians of her era.

The phrase “they never sent me a copy” becomes more loaded when considered alongside the admission of not smoking. It suggests exclusion, not so much retribution as it is a passive side-effect of not fitting into a prevailing norm. In creative circles, especially in the past decades, there was an unspoken expectation of conformity in habits, lifestyles, and vices. If being a part of ‘the club’ required certain behaviors, such as smoking, then abstaining might mean missing out on tangible or intangible privileges, like advance materials, exclusive welcomes, or even simply being ‘in the loop.’ By connecting these ideas, Ford hints that access or participation, at least at one time, could hinge on how well one assimilated into these paradigms.

Moreover, Ford’s remark carries a sly sense of humor or irony, it’s both a slight at the clique mentality and a proud assertion of individuality. It alludes to how something as trivial as smoking could dictate professional interactions, while playfully underscoring her refusal to compromise her own choices for superficial acceptance. Ultimately, her words reflect the experience of being peripheral to the mainstream of her world, not by force, but by choice, and the subtle costs and freedoms that choice entails.