The Runaways And The Club Owner Who Asked Them To “Act More Like Girls”—And Got Roasted

April 3, 2025

The lights dimmed in the small Los Angeles club, and the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. The Runaways, an all-girl rock band, stood backstage, their hearts racing. They had worked hard, practicing day and night, dreaming of this moment to showcase their music to the world. Fronted by the fierce Joan Jett, along with Lita Ford, Cherie Currie, and others, they were ready to rock. But little did they know, the night would take a turn they hadn’t anticipated.

As they finished their electrifying set, the club owner, a man in his mid-forties with slicked-back hair and a confident pout, approached them. “You girls did alright,” he said, a condescending smirk on his face. “But, how about you act a bit more like girls up there next time? You know, be a bit sweeter and less aggressive.” The words hung in the air like a heavy fog, shocking them into silence. Joan’s fists clenched, and Lita shot a glance at Cherie, who looked ready to explode. They had just poured their hearts into their performance, and this man dared to stereotype them based on an outdated idea of what female musicians should be.

That moment could have crushed them, but instead, it ignited a fire within The Runaways. They knew they were different; they were fierce, unapologetic, and ready to shatter the glass ceiling of rock music. Joan, always the fierce leader, turned to her bandmates and said, “We’ll show him what girls can really do.” Fueled by their anger and passion for music, they wrote a powerful anthem that spoke to the struggles of women everywhere. They titled it “Queens of Noise,” and it became a declaration of their identity in the rock world.

With each performance, they grew more confident. They embraced their individuality and transformed their music into a platform for empowerment and expression. The crowd began to resonate with their message, and soon, people were buzzing about The Runaways everywhere. They landed a record deal and became one of the first all-girl rock bands to gain major success, breaking barriers that had long kept women out of the genre. The club owner’s words, once a source of pain, now served as motivation for The Runaways to prove everyone wrong.

As their fame skyrocketed, they inspired countless young girls who dreamed of taking the stage. They showed the world that girls could be just as fierce, just as talented, and just as worthy of respect as any male musician. Their story became a powerful testament to resilience, pushing back against societal norms, and the importance of standing up for oneself. Joan and her bandmates proved that music transcends stereotypes and that passion knows no gender.

Years later, when The Runaways look back at that moment in the club, they don’t see it as a setback but rather as a turning point. They emerged not just as a band but as trailblazers, leaving a legacy that would inspire future generations of musicians. They taught the world that being true to oneself is the greatest act of rebellion, and that is where true power lies.