The Runaways And The Fan Who Created A Zine That Outlived The Scene

April 3, 2025

In the bustling heart of Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, a group of teenage girls called The Runaways were changing the music scene forever. They blended rock and rebellion in a way that stunned the world. With Joan Jett on guitar and Cherie Currie on vocals, they sang about freedom and teenage angst, capturing the hearts of countless fans. One of these devoted fans was a girl named Lisa, who lived for their music. She knew every song by heart and spent countless hours dreaming of what it would be like to be on stage with her idols.

Inspired by their powerful sound, Lisa decided to create a zine dedicated to The Runaways. A zine is a self-published magazine that shares stories, reviews, and fan art. With a pair of scissors, a stack of magazines, and her mom’s old typewriter, Lisa poured her heart into each page. She wrote about the band’s concerts, interviewed other fans, and even featured artwork that captured the spirit of The Runaways. She called her zine “Runaway Dreams,” and it quickly became a hit among her friends and classmates.

As Lisa handed out copies around school, she felt a sense of belonging that she had never experienced before. The zine connected her with other fans in a way that nothing else could. Yet, as the years went by, The Runaways began to fade from the limelight. They disbanded and each member went on to forge their own path. Joan Jett found success as a solo artist, but Lisa worried that the magic of The Runaways would be lost forever. She feared that her beloved band would be forgotten, just like the fleeting moments of high school.

But Lisa couldn’t let that happen. She kept “Runaway Dreams” alive, expanding it into a full-fledged magazine that highlighted not just The Runaways but also the spirit of rock and roll itself. She interviewed emerging artists and documented the stories of bands that were inspired by them. The zine became a cherished relic of the past, an enduring tribute to a time when young girls with electric guitars changed the music industry. As Lisa grew up, she realized that her love for The Runaways had transformed her own life. It taught her the value of resilience and the importance of following one’s passion.

Years later, as Lisa flipped through the pages of an old issue of “Runaway Dreams,” a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She had turned her childhood dreams into a thriving community that outlived the original scene. The zine not only kept her connection to The Runaways alive, but it also encouraged her to pursue a career in music journalism, where she could continue to share stories about artists who inspired her. Lisa often thought of how The Runaways had sparked an unquenchable fire in her soul, one that pushed her to inspire others through her words.

In the end, Lisa learned that music has the power to transcend time and space. The Runaways may have started as a fleeting moment, but their impact resounded through generations. Just like those girls who dared to rock the world, Lisa embraced her own voice and dreams, proving that passion could create something truly lasting. The zine became a testament to the belief that even when a scene fades, the love it inspires can ignite a lifetime of creativity and connection.