![]() The duo formed Blackheart Records and issued the LP themselves. "You Don't Own Me" was an omen: When no label wanted to release this album, Jett and Laguna took matters into their own hands. Released in 1980, the self-titled record was a sonic blueprint for her career, mixing revved-up originals and rocked-out covers-highlighted by the Ramones-esque rumbling youthquake of "Bad Reputation," bar-band boogie "Too Bad on Your Birthday," and the fist-pumping glam anthem "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)." Significantly, one of the cover songs included the Lesley Gore-popularized empowerment classic "You Don't Own Me." Jett's version features gauzy Wall of Sound production, wary-sounding piano and a mournful saxophone-a perfect match for a steely, pleading vocal delivery. The nimble rhythm section anchored a rabble-rousing twin-guitar attack, with Jett adding livewire rhythms to Byrd's smoking leads.īefore the band had settled in, however, Jett separately recorded a solo album. Live, this band quickly emerged as a white-hot rock force. punk scene denizen who was just 15 when he auditioned for and joined the band.Īfter some initial instrumental turmoil, the golden-age Joan Jett & The Blackhearts lineup coalesced with the addition of drummer Lee Crystal-known for playing with New York Dolls' Sylvain Sylvain-and New York City-based guitarist Ricky Byrd. Show-offs need not apply" caught the eye of bassist Gary Ryan, an L.A. Weekly that read “Joan Jett wants three good men. When the Runaways dissolved after a New Year's Eve 1978 show, Jett quickly regrouped, finding managers-including Kenny Laguna, who would go on to play in and produce the Blackhearts-and new bandmates. Jett became a charter member of pioneering all-female rock band the Runaways, whose brash powderkeg single "Cherry Bomb" inspired legions. ![]() At age 14, she received her first guitar-and, a few short years later, willed her rock 'n' roll fantasies into existence. Her voice can be sandpaper-rough or achingly tender-and she's never shied away from making herself vulnerable, either with anger or despair.īorn in 1958, Jett was raised on a steady diet of heavy metal and glam rock, especially Black Sabbath, Suzi Quatro, T. But beneath this tough-as-nails exterior is a musician with depth and versatility. Jett is always the coolest person in the room, and an inspiration to anyone who feels like an outsider or misfit. With a guitar draped low over her hips, a defiant stare, and leather worn like chain mail armor, she exudes onstage authority and confidence. "Charismatic leader Joan Jett leads the charge. ![]() Missing Lee Crystal (drums died November 5, 2013)īackground from /inductees/joan-jett-blackhearts Image: 2015 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of fame: Ricky Byrd (guitar), Joan Jett (vocals, guitar born September 22, 1958), Kenny Laguna (songwriter, producer born January 30, 1954), Gary Ryan (bass). Thank you my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that September 22 is the anniversary of the birth of American rock singer, songwriter, composer, musician, record producer and occasional actress Joan Jett. In 2015, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ![]() She has been described as the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll and the Godmother of Punk. She has three albums that have been certified Platinum or Gold, and has been a feminist icon throughout her career. Jett's other notable hit songs include "Bad Reputation", "Crimson and Clover", "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)", "Light of Day", "I Hate Myself for Loving You" and "Dirty Deeds". The Blackhearts' version of the song "I Love Rock 'n Roll" was number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1982. Jett is best known for her work as the frontwoman of her band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, and for earlier founding and performing with the Runaways, which recorded and released the hit song "Cherry Bomb". Joan Jett (born Joan Marie Larkin, September 22, 1958) is an American rock singer, songwriter, composer, musician, record producer and occasional actress.
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