The Runaways And The Moment Lita Ford Broke Her Nail Mid-Solo—And Kept Shredding

April 3, 2025

The crowd roared with excitement as Lita Ford took the stage with her band, The Runaways, at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in Los Angeles. It was the 1970s, a time when rock music was dominating the airwaves, and a band of young women was ready to show the world that they could shred just as hard as any man. The energy in the room was electric, filled with eager fans who had come to see these trailblazing rock stars who dared to challenge the norms. With her long, flowing hair and sleek leather outfit, Lita was a force to be reckoned with, her guitar slung low as she prepared to unleash the iconic solo from “Cherry Bomb.”

As the driving beat of the music thrummed through the venue, Lita launched into her solo. Her fingers danced across the fretboard, hitting every note with precision and power. The crowd was transfixed, mesmerized by her talent and the raw energy of the performance. Then, just as she hit a particularly challenging bend on her guitar, disaster struck. A sudden crack echoed through the air, louder than the roaring crowd. Lita felt a sharp sting as her nail snapped mid-solo, sending a jolt of pain through her hand. The instinct to stop was strong, but so was her passion for music.

With a quick glance down, she could see the damage. Her heart raced, and in that split second, doubt crept into her mind. But as the melody swirled around her, she remembered why she was on that stage in the first place. The music was her life, her sanctuary, her escape. Taking a deep breath, Lita pushed aside the pain and kept playing. She didn’t miss a beat, her fingers moving faster as if to prove that no broken nail—or any obstacle—could stop her. The audience erupted into cheers, even louder than before, sensing the determination radiating from her.

In that moment, Lita didn’t just play for herself; she played for every girl who ever faced adversity, every young musician who felt like they didn’t belong. She wanted to show them that strength comes from facing challenges head-on. With every strum and every note, she communicated a message louder than any words: resilience is key. The solo transformed into an anthem of defiance, a celebration of grit, and the crowd responded with unrestrained enthusiasm. They could feel her passion, and it ignited something within them, too.

After the show, as she tended to her hand, Lita realized that this moment would mark a turning point in her career. Simply pushing through the pain, turning a potential setback into a triumphant showcase of her spirit, would resonate with fans far beyond that night. It proved not only her skill as a guitarist but also her unyielding commitment to her craft. For years to come, she would carry with her the memory of that night, using it as a reminder that true artists overcome adversity, not just for themselves but for everyone who believes in the power of music.

From that day forward, Lita Ford became more than just a musician; she became a symbol of perseverance and passion in the rock world. Her story of breaking a nail mid-solo became legendary among fans, a testament to her strength and love for rock ‘n’ roll. She continued to inspire future generations of female musicians, proving that with grit and heart, you can rise above any challenge and keep shredding through life’s solos, no matter how tough it gets.