Joan Jett: The Queen of Rock & Roll

Joan Jett is an American rock musician and producer who forged a legendary path with her signature brand of rebellious, guitar-driven rock. Hailing from the United States, her greatest commercial achievement came with her band The Blackhearts and their multi-platinum album I Love Rock 'n Roll.

Early career

Born Joan Marie Larkin in 1958, she co-founded the groundbreaking all-female punk band The Runaways in 1975 while still a teenager. The Runaways, with hits like Cherry Bomb, achieved notable success, particularly in Japan, before disbanding in 1979, providing Jett with a crash course in the music industry's challenges and triumphs.

Breakthrough

After The Runaways split, Jett faced label rejections before founding her own independent label, Blackheart Records, in 1980. Her breakthrough arrived in 1981 with the album I Love Rock 'n Roll, whose title track, a cover of the Arrows song, spent seven weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982, propelling the album to platinum status multiple times over.

Key tracks

I Love Rock 'n Roll - This definitive anthem became a cultural landmark and Jett's signature song, cementing her place in rock history.

Bad Reputation - The title track from her 1980 solo debut became a defiant statement of purpose and a perennial fan favorite.

I Hate Myself for Loving You - This hard-rocking single from the 1988 album Up Your Alley became a top-ten hit, proving her lasting chart power.

Crimson and Clover - Jett's gritty, slowed-down cover of the Tommy James and the Shondells classic became a top-ten hit in 1982.

Cherry Bomb - As the explosive lead singer of The Runaways, this song established her early punk rock credentials and powerful stage persona.

Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts released a steady stream of albums including Album (1983), Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth (1984), and Notorious (1991). Her influence extends beyond music, as she has acted in film and television and remains a vital live performer. Jett's collaboration with the remaining members of Nirvana for their 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction performance underscored her enduring respect within the rock community.

Fans of Joan Jett's brand of unapologetic rock may also enjoy the music of Pat Benatar, another powerhouse vocalist who dominated the rock charts. The raw energy of The Runaways offers a direct link to her formative years. For a similar blend of hard rock and punk attitude, explore L7, who carried the riot grrrl torch into the 1990s.

Joan Jett's music is a staple on classic rock and alternative rock radio stations, where her anthems continue to inspire new generations of rock fans. Her catalog remains in heavy rotation, ensuring her voice and guitar are forever part of the rock landscape.

The music of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts can be heard on various radio stations featured on our website, where listeners can discover the full scope of her influential rock and roll career.