Joan Jett | Artist
Joan Larkin aka Joan Jett is an American rock singer, songwriter, composer, musician, record producer and occasional actress born 1958 in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. She has been described as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll" and the original "Riot Grrl", based on her life-long love of the music and her uncompromising image and attitudes. Jett got her first guitar at the age of 13 and took some lessons, but soon quit because the instructor kept trying to teach her folk songs. When she was in her late teens Joan's family moved to LA and she changed her name to Joan Jett, because she thought it had more of a rock-star sound than her birth name. She also began hanging out at Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco, a venue that provided the glam rock style she loved. Jett and Sandy West formed the Runaways in 1975 with the assistance of Kim Fowley. Jett shared some lead vocals, played rhythm guitar, and wrote or co-wrote some of the band's material along with Lita Ford, Sandy West, and Cherie Currie. The Runaways were active until 1979 after which Jett pursued a solo career and formed her backup band The Blackhearts, with starting lineup Jett (guitar, lead vocals), Danny O'Brien (drums), Eric Ambel (guitar) and Gary Ryan (bass). She released her debut self-titled album in 1980, then after a year of touring and recording, the Blackhearts recorded a new album entitled I Love Rock'n Roll. The title track off the album was number one on the Billboard chart for seven weeks in a row, and remains Billboard's 56th best song of all time. As well as working solo and with The Blackhearts, Jett has produced albums for up and coming bands including The Germs, Circus Lupus and Bikini Kill. She has also recorded one album with band Evil Stig aka The Gits, in honour of Mia Zapata. Outstanding albums include Joan Jett, I Love Rock 'n Roll, Album and Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth. Jett was an executive producer for the Floria Sigismoni film The Runaways, which chronicled the band's career. She has also made numerous film acting and TV appearances.
Artist Website: joanjett.com
Featured Albums: Joan Jett
Related Artists: The Runaways, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Evil Stig
Video Clips: I Love Rock'n'Roll, Bad Reputation, I Need Someone
