The Runaways And The Time They Played While Fighting The Flu

April 2, 2025

It was the winter of 1977, a time when the air was thick with the anticipation of rock ‘n’ roll and the energy of youth pulsed through the veins of every music lover. The Runaways, a band of teenage girls breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry, were set to perform at a small venue in Los Angeles. But just days before the show, a nasty flu swept through the group, leaving them achy and exhausted, battling fever and chills. Joan Jett, Lita Ford, Cherie Currie, Sandy West, and Jackie Fox were determined not to let this setback stand in the way of their dreams.

As they gathered for their sound check, the atmosphere was heavy with illness. Joan could barely hold her guitar, her fingers trembling with fatigue. Lita’s voice, usually powerful and commanding, wavered as she tried to warm up. Cherie, sporting a feverish glow, struggled to hit the high notes that had become her signature. Each of them knew that their bodies were fighting a battle, but their spirits burned brighter than ever. “We can’t let them down,” Cherie said, her eyes sparkling with determination, even as she coughed into her sleeve.

When the lights dimmed and the crowd erupted in cheers, something magical happened despite the girls’ discomfort. They poured their hearts into the performance, combining their passion for music with an unparalleled resilience. Each song they played was laced with raw emotion, as if they were channeling their struggle into the music. The audience could feel their determination; it was as if the flu had transformed into fuel, igniting their energy on stage. With every strum and beat, they defied their illness, creating a moment that would be remembered long after the final note faded.

As the night went on, the flu felt a little less like a burden and more like a shared experience that connected them with their fans. They could see the joy on faces in the crowd, and it invigorated them. By the time they finished their set, they were drenched in sweat and laughter, having delivered a performance that was raw and real. They weren’t just a band of young girls; they were warriors, standing tall against the odds. That night, they learned that music could heal in ways they had never imagined.

The flu may have knocked them down, but it also revealed the strength that each member possessed. The Runaways left the stage that night not just as performers, but as icons who had proven that passion and perseverance could overcome any challenge. Their career skyrocketed after that performance; they became role models for young women everywhere, showing that dreams could be pursued with fierce determination, even in the face of adversity. The night they battled the flu became a defining moment in their journey, a testament to their resilience not just in music, but in life.

In the years that followed, The Runaways would face many more hardships and triumphs, but that memorable night in L.A. would always stand as a chapter of hope and inspiration. Every time they stepped on stage, they remembered the lessons they learned while fighting the flu: that music has the power to connect, uplift, and push through the toughest of times. They became legends, not just because of their songs, but because they inspired others to keep dreaming, no matter the obstacles they encountered.