The Runaways were an all-female rock band, active from 1975 to 1979. The girls paved the way for many other female bands and artists to enter rock, a male dominated genre in a failry male dominated industry. They never achieved major success in the USA, but due to the popularity of their single “Cherry Bomb” they were a big hit over seas, especially in Japan.

The band’s original line up was Sandy West (drums,) Joan Jett (rhythm guitar and vocals,) Micki Steel (bass and vocals,) Lita Ford (lead guitar,) and Cherie Cury (vocals.) The band went through a few lineup changes, Micki Steele was replaced with with Peggy Foster, and then her with Jackie Foxx, who was replaced by Vicki Blue in 1977. Cherie Cury also left the group in 1977 and Joan Jett took over as the lead vocalist. The band began to fall apart as more members left, and they played their final show at the end of 1978, and officially broke up the next April.

During their run the band released four studio albums, and a live album. A documentary was also released about them, titled Edgeplay: A Film About the Runaways.

Since breaking up, the majority of former members have went on with their musical careers, most notably Joan Jett and her new band The Blackhearts.