The Runaways And The New Year’S Eve Show Where Everything Went Wrong—Until It Didn’T

April 2, 2025

The night was electric. As the clock approached midnight on New Year’s Eve in 1977, the atmosphere in the venue was thick with anticipation. The Runaways, a band of fierce young women, were set to perform in front of a crowd that mirrored their own excitement. Joan Jett, Cherie Currie, Lita Ford, Sandy West, and Jackie Fox had worked tirelessly to get to this moment. They were ready to end the year on a high note, and the entire world was watching. But little did they know that this night would challenge them in ways they had never imagined.

Just moments before their set was supposed to begin, disaster struck. The sound system malfunctioned, leaving the band in a chaotic scramble. The crowd, initially buzzing with energy, grew restless, waiting for the show to start. Joan glanced at her bandmates, her heart racing. They had practiced for weeks, ready to showcase their music and prove that they were not just a gimmick. They were rock stars. But with each passing minute, doubt crept into her mind. Would they even get the chance to perform?

As they huddled backstage, Cherie’s eyes sparkled with determination. “You know what? Let’s just go out there anyway,” she suggested. The others exchanged glances, bathed in the dim red lights of the backstage area. The enthusiasm was contagious. With a collective nod, they decided to take the stage, even if they had to face the crowd without the support of the sound system. They had something to prove, not just to their fans, but to themselves.

Emerging from the shadows, the girls stood together at the edge of the stage. As the lights brightened and the audience roared, the energy surged back into the room. Fueled by adrenaline, they launched into their first song without any electronics. Their voices intertwined as they sang harmonies that danced through the crowd, raw and pure. Right there, in that moment of chaos, they created something powerful. The audience was captivated, swept away by the authenticity of the performance. People shouted, cheered, and danced, igniting the spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll that the Runaways embodied.

The sound system eventually came back online, but by then, the band had already connected with the crowd in a way that was far beyond what any perfect performance could achieve. They poured their hearts into every lyric, every chord, and every beat. When the clock struck midnight, confetti exploded in the air, shimmering like stars. Amidst the chaos, they had found their own rhythm, and it felt as if they had won something far greater than applause— they had discovered their resilience.

That New Year’s Eve show became a pivotal moment in The Runaways’ career. They were no longer just a novelty act; they were a force to be reckoned with. The story of their performance spread like wildfire, and soon, they were known not only for their electrifying music but also for their tenacity and spirit. In the face of adversity, they had turned potential failure into an unforgettable triumph. Years later, they would look back on that night with pride, knowing that, even when everything seemed to go wrong, they found a way to make it right through the power of their passion for music.