The Runaways And The Night They Covered David Bowie To A Shocked Crowd In Berlin

April 2, 2025

The night was electric in Berlin as the lights flickered on inside the small, packed club. The Runaways, a band of fierce young girls who had taken the rock world by storm, were about to perform. The room buzzed with excited whispers. This was no ordinary show; they had decided to cover the songs of the legendary David Bowie, a brilliant artist who had transformed music and style throughout the 1970s. As the first notes rang out, the crowd fell silent, anticipation hanging thick in the air.

With Joan Jett leading the charge, her powerful voice cut through the darkness like a beacon. She sang “Rebel Rebel” with a passion that shook the very foundations of the room. Lita Ford’s electric guitar danced alongside her, bringing Bowie’s iconic riffs back to life. The audience, initially stunned, began to sway, caught up in the magic of the performance. They had come to see the girls perform their own songs, but now they were witnessing something unexpected—an homage that felt both fresh and deeply respectful. It was as if the spirit of Bowie himself was in the room, urging them on.

As the band transitioned into the haunting melody of “Space Oddity,” even the most skeptical in the crowd couldn’t help but be captivated. The Runaways didn’t just perform the songs; they embodied them, adding their own fierce energy—which was palpable in every chord. The spirit of rebellion that Bowie had sung about was alive and well, translated through the voices of these young women. They were not just a girl band; they were a force of nature, challenging the norms of a male-dominated industry and paving the way for future generations of female musicians.

For Joan and her bandmates, this night was more than just a tribute; it was a declaration of who they were and what they stood for. They took enough risks to be bold, and in that moment, the crowd could see their passion shining through. It was an uplifting revelation for many of the young people in the audience, reminding them that music had the power to unite, inspire, and heal. By the end of the night, the crowd erupted in applause, and the energy in the room was ecstatic. It felt like a shared triumph, a tribute not just to Bowie, but to the raw power of music itself.

That night marked a turning point for The Runaways. Their bold choice to cover David Bowie helped them gain attention not only in Berlin but around the world. It showed that they weren’t afraid to pay homage to those who came before them, while also carving their own path in the music industry. The performance made waves, and soon they found themselves in conversations with music producers and major labels, receiving offers they never dreamed possible. Little did they know that they were inspiring a new wave of musicians who would take their own leaps of faith.

David Bowie, known for his resilience and ability to reinvent himself, might have seen a reflection of his own journey in The Runaways. That night in Berlin was both an opening and a reminder that music is a powerful connector, bridging generations and breaking down barriers. The Runaways taught their audience, and themselves, that passion, creativity, and courage could change the landscape of rock music. As they left the stage, hearts pounding and smiles wide, they knew they had done something special that evening—a tribute, a performance, and a celebration of everything music could be.