Joan Jett and The Blackhearts Bad Reputation Nation

March 2015 News

Page updated on March 31, 2015
All news is attributed to the source from which it was received so that readers may judge the validity of the statements for themselves.

Have Joan Jett news to report? Email us at jettfc@aol.com, and please include the source of the information so it can be validated.



Heart, JOAN JETT ‘Kick It Out' impressively for zealous Grand Rapids fans
from: localspins.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable Heart and JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS made their final 2015 tour stop together a memorable one, cranking out driving rock hits for a happily nostalgic crowd at Van Andel Arena.

As Ann Wilson put it on Saturday night, midway through Heart's set in front of several thousand gleeful fans at Van Andel Arena, "In the '70s, there weren't really any women in rock ‘n' roll. Women were in the basement and the garage trying to get it right."

So, there's little doubting the impact that highly successful female-fronted rock bands such as Heart and JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS have since had on generations of artists who've followed them.

And it's also apropos that these two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acts would be paired together on a national tour that made a stop Saturday in Grand Rapids, their final night together.

For Grand Rapids singer and guitarist Robin Spring, a member of acoustic classic rock's The Trace Duo, Heart was a true influence on her development as a musician, from the way the band rocked to the way they mastered harmony vocals.

"In a male-dominated field, female rockers like Ann and Nancy Wilson are an inspiration. They write songs from a female perspective that resonate with women," Spring told Local Spins.

[more]


Review: Heart and JOAN JETT bring women in rock firepower to The Palace
from: macombdaily.com

AUBURN HILLS -- The night after Bob Seger's home town return at The Palace, another couple of classic rock acts -- this time from the femme-fueled side of the classic rock line, did the honors on Friday, March 27.

Heart and JOAN JETT have both helped pave the way for women in rock -- and, in both cases, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Heart came first, sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson fronting a group that rang out hits across the globe. Jett followed shortly thereafter, first with her all-female band the RUNAWAYS, then as a solo act.

On Friday Jett was as fierce as ever, sporting a black pleather jumpsuit and converse sneakers and kicking off the night with "Bad Reputation" and living up to her own hard-rocking reputation throughout the show.

Jett reached into the RUNAWAYS' repertoire for "Cherry Bomb" and "You Drive Me Wild," the latter of which she called "the very first song we wrote- that I can remember." The career-spanning set visited favorites such as "I Hate Myself For Loving You" and her takes on Tommy James' "Crimson & Clover" and Gary Glitter's "Do You Wanna Touch Me? (Oh Yeah)" and, of course, her jukebox anthem "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" but ran all the way up to her latest album, 2013's "Unvarnished" and its Dave Grohl co-written lead-off track "Any Weather."

Heart, meanwhile, came onto a stage seemingly set up for a rock 'n' roll seance, with candles, sage and a downright creepy stuffed dog sharing space with the Wilson sisters and their bandmates. "Magic Man," Heart`s first hit, was a fitting opener, with "What About Love" soon to follow and a gorgeous, soulful "Alone," belted out by Ann Wilson -- who her sister referred to as "absolutely fabulous" during the show. Nancy Wilson, meanwhile, carted out the acoustic guitar for the introduction to "Crazy on You" but shredded on her electric for the bulk of the show.

"Barracuda" was an obvious choice for a fan-thrilling closer, while an encore featuring Led Zeppelin songs was an extra treat for a show delivered with plenty of genuine heart.



The HIGH TIMES Interview: JOAN JETT
from: vegasnews.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable How many words can you use to describe JOAN JETT? She's the one who showed the world of rock that girls can do it just as well as boys. She's the spitfire who burst onto the music scene in her teens and has maintained her place at the top of the rock pile for four decadesâ€"first as a member of the all-female band The RUNAWAYS, and now as the leader of JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS.

Recognized as one of the world's best rock guitaristsâ€"Jett is currently on the road with her band, opening for The Who on their "The Who Hits 50" North American tour. And on April 18, she'll be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, immortalized for anthems like "Bad Reputation" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Just before hitting the road, Jett sat down to talk with HT about the nature of success and the path that she has followed.

When you were 13, you moved from Maryland to California. That must have involved some culture shock.
It did. My dad was an insurance guy, and he got transferred to southern California. West Covina was my first stop. It was really different than the East Coastâ€"just the whole vibe, the laid-backness.

Did California nurture your aspirations in music?
Absolutely. I don't know if you ever heard of this club back in the '70sâ€"Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco on the Sunset Strip. I was reading about Rodney's in Circus magazine when I was back East. I wanted to be the sort of personâ€"I don't knowâ€"that was different. I was the weirdo in school; people use to look at me and howl "Diamond dog!" as I walked down the hall. Rodney's catered to early '70s British glitter rock, like David Bowie and T. Rex and Slade and Quatroâ€"all this stuff that American radio didn't really touch. Rodney's catered to that kind of music, and it catered to teenagers. It was a teenage club; they didn't sell booze or anythingâ€"it was just a disco. You were like too old if you were 21, you know?

What do you think accounts for The RUNAWAYS being able to break through and be successful?
What we were doing was so different: We weren't just saying, "Hey, we're female!"â€"we were saying, "Hey, we're teenage girls!" We were girls growing into women, and we wanted to access all those things, really, that anybody would, whether you were a boy or a girlâ€"your sexuality, your discovery of music and dance and culture.

What accounted for the RUNAWAYS' success was that we had a band that could actually play, and we had a managerâ€"Kim Fowleyâ€"who was very good at getting press and knew a lot of people and was able to get us a record deal. But we still had to prove it. You can get a record deal and all that stuff, but you still gotta go out on the road and play with all these other bands that can play. You have to hold your own, and I thought we did that very well.

[more]


The HIGH TIMES Interview: JOAN JETT
from: hightimes.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable How many words can you use to describe JOAN JETT? She's the one who showed the world of rock that girls can do it just as well as boys. She's the spitfire who burst onto the music scene in her teens and has maintained her place at the top of the rock pile for four decadesâ€"first as a member of the all-female band The RUNAWAYS, and now as the leader of JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS.

Recognized as one of the world's best rock guitaristsâ€"Jett is currently on the road with her band, opening for The Who on their "The Who Hits 50" North American tour. And on April 18, she'll be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, immortalized for anthems like "Bad Reputation" and "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Just before hitting the road, Jett sat down to talk with HT about the nature of success and the path that she has followed.

When you were 13, you moved from Maryland to California. That must have involved some culture shock.
It did. My dad was an insurance guy, and he got transferred to southern California. West Covina was my first stop. It was really different than the East Coastâ€"just the whole vibe, the laid-backness.

Did California nurture your aspirations in music?
Absolutely. I don't know if you ever heard of this club back in the '70sâ€"Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco on the Sunset Strip. I was reading about Rodney's in Circus magazine when I was back East. I wanted to be the sort of personâ€"I don't knowâ€"that was different. I was the weirdo in school; people use to look at me and howl "Diamond dog!" as I walked down the hall. Rodney's catered to early '70s British glitter rock, like David Bowie and T. Rex and Slade and Quatroâ€"all this stuff that American radio didn't really touch. Rodney's catered to that kind of music, and it catered to teenagers. It was a teenage club; they didn't sell booze or anythingâ€"it was just a disco. You were like too old if you were 21, you know?

What do you think accounts for The RUNAWAYS being able to break through and be successful?
What we were doing was so different: We weren't just saying, "Hey, we're female!"â€"we were saying, "Hey, we're teenage girls!" We were girls growing into women, and we wanted to access all those things, really, that anybody would, whether you were a boy or a girlâ€"your sexuality, your discovery of music and dance and culture.

What accounted for the RUNAWAYS' success was that we had a band that could actually play, and we had a managerâ€"Kim Fowleyâ€"who was very good at getting press and knew a lot of people and was able to get us a record deal. But we still had to prove it. You can get a record deal and all that stuff, but you still gotta go out on the road and play with all these other bands that can play. You have to hold your own, and I thought we did that very well.

[more]


Rock and Roll Class of 2015: JOAN JETT's original BLACKHEARTS bassist is a fifth-grade teacher ... and loving it
from: cleveland.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Gary Ryan is a lucky man. After all, he's going into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 18, as the original bassist for JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS.

And Gary Moss is just as lucky. After all, he's spent the past 17 years as an elementary schoolteacher and has a beautiful wife and 10-year-old son.

Oh, and they're the same person, just for the record. And BOTH of them are lucky, because Ryan and Moss have gotten to live their dreams.

Ryan -- or Mr. Moss, as his students as Swiftwater Elementary Center in rural Pennsylvania, a couple of hours outside of New York City, call him -- was 15 (he lied about his age to get the gig) when he teamed with Jett when she launched the BLACKHEARTS in 1980.

"I did," Moss said, admitting with a rueful smile to the little age fudging. He was sitting in the comfortable conference room of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Thursday afternoon, sharing his story with the media. Not far away, his fourth-grader son Alden fiddled with goodies from the Rock Hall, and his wife of 22 years, Jennifer, sat beaming.

Moss said he felt like he needed to create a stage persona -- his real name IS Gary Moss -- so he adopted Gary Ryan.

[more]


Top 5 things to do around Grand Rapids include Heart and JOAN JETT, Pet Expo, Mrs. Michigan America Pageant
from: mlive.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Perennial rockers, a pet expo, and a pageant are all lined up for the weekend's Top 5 list. Add in a cottage and lakefront expo and symphony performance and you should have enough to fill the holes in your social calendar.

You can find this information every Thursday and Sunday on MLive and in The Grand Rapids Press or daily on my Facebook page.

Heart and JOAN JETT

Van Andel Arena, 130 W. Fulton St., hosts a classic rock combo of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame acts with Heart and special guest JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS set to perform Saturday, March 28, at 8 p.m.

Heart, founded by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, is known for '70s hits including "Barracuda" and "Magic Man," as well as its '80s singles "What About Love," "Who Will You Run To" and others. "Fanatic" is Heart's most recent album, released in 2012.

JOAN JETT topped the charts in the '80s with hits including "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," "Crimson and Clover," "Bad Reputation" and "I Hate Myself for Loving You." She released her 13th studio record, "Unvarnished," in 2013.

Tickets for the show are $20-$75 at Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices, Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or 800‐745‐3000.

[more]


Punk legend JOAN JETT coming to Fallen Timbers
from: toledo.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable Over the course of the past few years, Project iAm has done a lot for our community. The organization's mission is to raise funds and awareness for families affected by autism. In doing so, they have also offered a host of amazing live music for the area. That tradition continues this May with the announcement of a special Project iAm performance by JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS performing at the Shops at Fallen Timbers.

Discovered by the late great Kim Foley, JOAN JETT first made a name for herself as guitarist for The RUNAWAYS in the late-1970's, whose punk classic "Cherry Bomb" has gone on almost to live a life of its own. After The RUNAWAYS dismantled, Jett formed The BLACKHEARTS and was one of the few women in early rock n' roll history to really rock hard. While Jett has maintained a successful career since, with incredible success throughout the '80s and '90s, it is her 1982 mega hit, "I Love Rock n' Roll," that landed her on the rock icon list.

Great music for a great cause? We're in. Stay tuned for additional information.

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS play The Shops at Fallen Timbers, Maumee, OH on Saturday, May 16. Arctic Clam opens. Doors at 5pm, headliner at 9:30pm. Tickets are $12 each and now available at: Village Idiot Maumee, Ye Olde Cock n Bull, The Anderson's (Maumee and Monore St.), The Shops at Fallen Timbers Main Office, Regis Hair Salon (Fallen Timbers Store only), and www.acousticsforautism.com (with service charge). All proceeds benefit Project iAm.



The Les Paul Foundation Announces the Official 100th Birthday of Les Paul
from: premierguitar.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable New York, NY (March 25, 2015) -- The Les Paul Foundation has announced the official "100th Birthday of Les Paul," a year-long celebration to launch the famous inventor and musician's 100th birthday - June 9th, 2015. The celebration, which will last through May of 2016, will include exciting programs beginning with the star-studded June 9th event in New York's Times Square. Fans of Les Paul will have the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the most famous names in music at the official kick-off event. Music legends including Steve Miller, JOAN JETT, Journey's Neal Schon, guitar virtuoso Johnny A, Chickenfoot's Joe Satriani, Count's 77 and others will appear at the event. Musical acts will continue to be announced on les-paul.com over the next several weeks.

Les Paul was the father of the solid body electric guitar - the inventor of multitrack recording, overdubbing (also known as sound on sound), delay effects, electronic echo and many other recording innovations that today's recording artists use every day. Musicians from every genre have credited Les Paul for their careers. Numerous museum exhibits and awards continue to celebrate the innovations and accomplishments of Les Paul.

The Les Paul 100th Anniversary plan includes a star-studded musical launch event in New York, a national PSA campaign giving youth a chance to "Pledge to Invent," a tribute concert in New York City a new interactive website, new merchandise, several re-releases of Les Paul's music, educational grants, media promotions and the kick-off of a national tour aptly called "Les Paul's Big Sound Experience."

Anderson Cooper of CNN said that "It is literally true that what is now known as modern American music would not be what it is today without Les Paul."

"The man is a genius. Whenever you turn on your amplifier, that's Les Paul," has added the legendary B.B. King, a colleague and friend of the innovator.

Known also as the "Father of the Solid Body Electric Guitar," "The Wizard of Waukesha," "Rhubarb Red," "The Father of Modern Music," and others, Les Paul's curiosity about sound began at a very young age. Contemporary artists like Slash, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee JOAN JETT, Jimi Hendrix and many others have paid homage to Les Paul throughout their careers.

[more]


Guitar World: May 2015 Gear and Lesson Videos
from: guitarworld.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable These videos and audio files are bonus content related to the May 2015 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now or at the Guitar World Online Store.

When JOAN JETT recorded the title track to I Love Rock 'N' Roll, which was a cover version of a song originally released in 1975 by the British band the Arrows, little did she know that this pagan battle cry would in time earn her status as one of rock's most iconic figures.

Upon its release in 1982, the song stayed at Number One on the Top 100 chart for seven weeks and has since been named Billboard's 56th greatest rock song of all time.

Now, more than three decades later, Joan is still rockin' hard, and rock and roll is still alive and well. In this extended edition of In Deep, we'll examine the roots of true rock and roll guitar and its essential, foundational elements that were chiseled into stone by the style's founding fatherâ€"the immortal Chuck Berryâ€"the man whose playing would inspire and inform many of the world's greatest rock bands, from the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to AC/DC.

One of the small handful of records regarded as the "first" rock and roll song is "Rocket 88," recorded in March 1951 by Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats. Brenston was actually a horn player and singer in guitarist/keyboardist Ike Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm, and he is credited with writing "Rocket 88."

roduced by Sam Phillips in Memphis and released on the Chess label, "Rocket 88" went straight to Number One and it's incredible success enabled Phillips to launch Sun Records.

[more]


Heart & JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS Play for Massive Bismarck Crowd
from: 965thefox.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable The Bismarck Event Center was rockin' last night (March 24th), as Heart and JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS played in front of a massive crowd of over 5,000 fans!

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS began the night, tearing through hits like 'Bad Reputation,' 'I Love Rock and Roll,' and 'I Hate Myself For Loving You,' while also sprinkling in new tunes and covers. You can see Joan's full setlist from last night's concert below:

Bad Reputation
Cherry Bomb
Do You Wanna Touch Me?
T.M.I.
You Drive Me Wild
Light of Day
Fragile
Love is Pain
Fake Friends
Any Weather
I Love Rock 'N' Roll
Crimson and Clover
I Hate Myself for Loving You
AC/DC

After JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS got the crowd warmed up, Ann, Nancy, and the rest of Heart took the stage, playing their hits from the 70′s and 80′s, along with a few Led Zeppelin covers to wrap up the show. You can see Heart's full setlist from last night's show below.

Wild Child
If Looks Could Kill
Heartless
What About Love?
Kick It Out
Magic Man
Straight On
Mashallah
Let Me Roll It
These Dreams
Alone
Day of the Eagle
Crazy on You
Barracuda
Immigrant Song
No Quarter
Misty Mountain Hop

All in all, it was another fantastic night of rock and roll at the Bismarck Event Center.



Joe Satriani, Neal Schon, JOAN JETT and Others Honor Les Paul | VIDEO
from: guitarplayer.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable The Les Paul Foundation will kick-off a yearlong celebration of guitarist, inventor and innovator Les Paul with a star-studded event in New York's Time Square on June 9. That day marks what would be Paul's 100th birthday.

Joe Satriani, Steve Miller, JOAN JETT, Neal Schon, Johnny A and Count's 77 are among the performers scheduled for the show, which will take place at the Hard Rock Cafe New York. A red carpet arrival will begin at 6 p.m. followed by a special ticketed musical event inside.



Tickets for the event will be available at Ticketweb beginning Monday, April 6, 2015. Only 500 tickets will be available. More performers attending the event will be listed at Les-Paul.com.

The Les Paul 100th Anniversary runs through May 2016 and will include re-releases of Les Paul's music and a national mobile tour called Les Paul's Big Sound Experience.

The Les Paul Foundation will reissue four definitive Les Paul albums digitally. These include three previously unreleased albums and The Hitmakers, a special collectible vinyl Les Paul release.

[more]


Heart feels sisterly bond with JOAN JETT
from: theoaklandpress.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable Heart's Ann Wilson says there's certainly a sense of solidarity for her band playing with JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS this weekend at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

Both groups planted sonic stanchions for women in the male-dominated rock world during the '70s â€" Heart with hits such as "Magic Man," "Crazy On You," "Barracuda" and more, Jett with the RUNAWAYS first and then a solo career that blasted off during the early '80s with "I Love Rock and Roll."

Heart's achievements were honored with a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction two years ago, while Jett will be part of the Rock Hall's class of 2015 on April 18 in Cleveland.

"She's going to have a fun night over there," says Wilson, 64, who co-founded Heart with younger sister Nancy Wilson during the late '60s in Seattle, though the group's first album came out in 1976. "There's not much to do, really, except go there and be adored for the night. Adoration is fabulous; we love it. And the next day you go back to work."

Wilson hopes Heart's dates with Jett will "give us a chance to hang out a little bit" after crossing paths sporadically in previous years.

"We've played, I think, two or three single shows with her over the years, so this'll be the first time to get to know each other as people, which should be nice. And maybe there'll be an opportunity for us to do something together on stage. We'll have to see."

[more]


JOAN JETT still loves rock and roll â€" Hall of Fame-style
from: themorningsun.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable JOAN JETT credits Nirvana, at least a bit, for her upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Jett was one of four women who filled in for the late Kurt Cobain when Nirvana was inducted at last year's Rock Hall ceremony in Brooklyn. On April 18, she and her band, the BLACKHEARTS, will enter the Hall as well.

"Maybe," Jett says, last year's appearance "reminded people I'm out there."

Whatever the reason, Jett is stoked to receive the honor after almost 40 years of forging ground for women in the male-dominated rock world, first as a member of the all-female RUNAWAYS in the '70s and then with a solo career that included the enduring hit "I Love Rock and Roll."

"It's a roiling pot of emotions," says Jett, 56, who was born Joan Larkin in Baltimore and will open for the Who in North America starting April 15. "I'm amazed. I'm happy. I'm honored. I'm flabbergasted. It feels so surreal. When I think about all the musicians in the history of music that have been out there making records and touring, that I get chosen into this elite group of musicians is pretty incredible."

But, Jett adds, "You don't think about those things â€" at least I don't."

"You just go out and do your job and make your records, and if something like those accolades get put onto you, then that's an extra bonus. But I don't know that you can set out to achieve that. I think it's a gift, and I don't think you can sort of expect it.

[more]


Can I induct JOAN JETT into the Rock Hall, please?
from: hooplanow.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable I hate myself for loving you, JOAN JETT.

It was 1983. The U.S. invaded Grenada. The final episode of M*A*S*H aired. And "The French Song" seduced me - it was a crunchy, three cord pop punk Picasso that painted the portrait of a red-lipstick-and-black-leather guitar goddess. In three and a half minutes it offered the best of the best -- the swagger, the tease, the kinky chorus: J'aime faire l'amour sur tout a trois.

Jett is the only human who looked good in a mullet. She is living proof that you cannot wear too much eye-liner. She chews gum until it pops. She owns the best album title ever: "Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth."

JOAN JETT in concert is an adrenaline rush - hands waving in the air, people dancing on their seats, speaking in tongues, singing along: "I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation."

She is a testament to the health benefits of a rock-n-roll workout. Sinuous, sweaty, she owns the stage and the crowd.

Jett has played gigs from Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood to West Point to the Isle of Wight and the world beyond.

[more]


Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2015: Who should induct JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS?
from: cleveland.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable CLEVELAND, Ohio - The presenters and performers for the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony were announced last week.

The impressive list includes Stevie Wonder (inducting Bill Withers), Paul McCartney (inducting Ringo Starr), Patti Smith (inducting Lou Reed) and Fall Out Boy (inducting Green Day). Yet, one mystery remains: Who will induct JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS?

It's likely the Rock Hall will announce the presenter for Jett sooner rather than later. But let's play the guessing game with a few likely candidates:

Dave Grohl
Likelihood: 50 percent
Grohl has already been announced as a performer for the April 18 ceremony in Cleveland. He's sure to be a part of multiple all-star jam sessions. Grohl has collaborated with Jett in the past and she sang with Nirvana during last year's induction ceremony. The Rock Hall keeps tight inner circle of presenters at its disposal and Grohl is in it. He inducted Rush in 2013.

Alice Cooper
Likelihood: 25 percent
Cooper is a recent Rock Hall inductee, which bodes well for his potential to be a presenter. He has known Jett for a while. She worked on his 1989 album "Trash." Cooper also performed at a charity benefit last year, honoring Jett as "Rocker of the Year."

KENNY LAGUNA
Likelihood: 10 percent
Laguna is an accomplished songwriter and producer who has worked with everyone from Tony Orlando to Tommy James and the Shondells. Yet, he's best known for his work with Jett. Laguna co-produced JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS' to biggest albums and, as Jett's manager, helped her establish BLACKHEART RECORDS when no one was willing to give her as solo deal. The only problem with Laguna inducting the band is that he's not an instantly recognizable name to casual fans.

[more]


JOAN JETT: Girl's Got Rhythm
from: bestrocklist.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable I hate myself for loving you, JOAN JETT. It was 1983. The U.S. invaded Grenada. The final episode of M*A*S*H aired. And "The French Song" seduced me - it was a crunchy, three cord pop punk Picasso that painted the portrait of a red-lipstick-and-black-leather guitar goddess. In three and a half minutes it offered the best of the best -- the swagger, the tease, the kinky chorus: J'aime faire l'amour sur tout a trois.

Jett is the only human who looked good in a mullet. She is living proof that you cannot wear too much eye-liner. She chews gum until it pops. She owns the best album title ever: "Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth."

JOAN JETT in concert is an adrenaline rush - hands waving in the air, people dancing on their seats, speaking in tongues, singing along: "I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation."

She is a testament to the health benefits of a rock-n-roll workout. Sinuous, sweaty, she owns the stage and the crowd.

Jett has played gigs from Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood to West Point to the Isle of Wight and the world beyond.

She has worked with legions of music legends -- the Sex Pistols, the Beach Boys, the Sugarhill Gang. She toured with the Eagles of Death Metal, Motorhead, The Police and Queen. She opened for Green Day and Def Leppard.

[more]


Can I induct JOAN JETT into the Rock Hall, please?
from: cleveland.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable I hate myself for loving you, JOAN JETT.

It was 1983. The U.S. invaded Grenada. The final episode of M*A*S*H aired. And "The French Song" seduced me - it was a crunchy, three cord pop punk Picasso that painted the portrait of a red-lipstick-and-black-leather guitar goddess. In three and a half minutes it offered the best of the best -- the swagger, the tease, the kinky chorus: J'aime faire l'amour sur tout a trois.

Jett is the only human who looked good in a mullet. She is living proof that you cannot wear too much eye-liner. She chews gum until it pops. She owns the best album title ever: "Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth."

JOAN JETT in concert is an adrenaline rush - hands waving in the air, people dancing on their seats, speaking in tongues, singing along: "I don't give a damn 'bout my reputation."

She is a testament to the health benefits of a rock-n-roll workout. Sinuous, sweaty, she owns the stage and the crowd.

Jett has played gigs from Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood to West Point to the Isle of Wight and the world beyond.

[more]


JOAN JETT: Girl's Got Rhythm
from: GuitarWorld.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable JOAN JETT on cover with feature in May 2015 Guitar World Magazine
















The HIGH TIMES Interview: JOAN JETT
from: headshop.hightimes.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable One of the most influential women in rock'n'roll, JOAN JETT has enjoyed a career spanning 40 years. On the eve of her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Joan discusses her road to becoming a legend.













Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2015: 10 Outstanding Performances
from: rollingstone.com

We're just one month away from the annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Every living artist entering the institution - a list that includes Green Day, JOAN JETT and Bill Withers - is likely to be on hand, and they're going to be joined by Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, John Mayer and many others. None of the new inductees are strangers to the stage - Paul and Ringo even played at Cleveland's Public Hall, site of this year's ceremony, back in 1964. So we've assembled fantastic live performances from the new class. Check them out and prepare for another epic night of Rock Hall magic on April 18th.

JOAN JETT and Nirvana - 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (2014)



Nirvana's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year posed some interesting logistical challenges. Would the surviving members play a Nirvana song together for the first time since Kurt Cobain's death? If so, who exactly would sing? After much debate, the group decided to select four different women. They kicked off the set with JOAN JETT, who absolutely nailed "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Hall of Fame voters were definitely watching, and the very next year Jett got in on her own. This year, she gets to sing one of her own songs.

JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS - 'I Love Rock and Roll' (1982)



When the RUNAWAYS split in 1979, one might have expected singer Cherie Currie to have had the big solo career, but it was actually guitarist JOAN JETT who wound up blowing up. Her 1981 LPs Bad Reputation and I Love Rock 'n' Roll were both enormous sellers, and brand-new cable channel MTV played her videos all the time. Things slowed down a bit in later years, but she remains an incredibly powerful live act and this year she's opening for the Who on their American tour. Here she is playing "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" in 1982.



This Week in Billboard Chart History
from: billboard.com



March 20, 1982 We loved it, too! JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS' "I Love Rock 'N Roll" began a seven-week command of the Billboard Hot 100 33 years ago today.



JOAN JETT, Cagle to headline county fair
from: dailyunion.com

low resolution image Not Enlargeable JEFFERSON - The Jefferson County Fair will feature national country artist Chris Cagle and rock legend JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS as its grandstand headliners this summer, officials announced Thursday.

The 163nd Jefferson County Fair, to take place from July 8 -12, will present Chris Cagle on Friday, July 10, with opening act Gunnar and the Grizzly Boys, and Joan Jett and the BLACKHEARTS on Saturday, July 11.

Both shows will take place in the Wilbert Betschler Memorial Grandstand at Jefferson County Fair Park.

Following last year's country headliners Colt Ford and Justin Moore, the fair organizers have provided more variety in the year's line-up.

"We are thrilled to be able to diversify our entertainment and bring both rock and country to the main stage," Fair Park Director David Diestler said.

Cagle, known for his redneck, rock-and-roll style, has produced two gold albums and fan favorites including, "Let There Be Cowgirls," "Chicks Dig It" and "Got My Country On". Gunnar and the Grizzly Boys have made a name for themselves with hits such as "Pedal To The Floor" and "Standard American."

On Saturday, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS will bring hard-rocking classics to the main stage. Jett has produced eight platinum and gold albums and nine Top 40 singles, and in April, will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Jett's biggest hit "I Love Rock 'n Roll" was ranked No. 89 in Rolling Stone magazine's top 100 Greatest Guitar Songs Of All Time. Other career hits include, "Bad Reputation," "I Hate Myself For Loving You" and "Crimson and Clover."

[more]


WATCH: JOAN JETT will be part of The Who tour when it comes to Jacksonville on April 19
from: jacksonville.com

2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS (see video at the bottom of this story) will be joining Tho Who on Sunday, April 19 at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Who is currently touring Europe with performances in London scheduled next. Then it's onto Tampa on April 15, Miami on April 17 with Jacksonville as the British rockers' final Florida stop.

Called THE WHO HITS 50! Tour, band member Pete Townshend describes it as "Hits, picks, mixes and misses" with bandmate Roger Daltrey saying in a news release it's "the beginning of the long goodbye."

The Who has sold over 100 million records since forming in 1964. Among the songs that have been played on the legendary British band's tour so far: "Substitute," "The Seeker," "Join Together," "Squeeze Box," "Magic Bus," "The Kids Are Alright," "I Can See For Miles," "Who Are You," "Behind Blue Eyes," "You Better You Bet," "Baba O'Riley," "Won't Get Fooled Again," and "Pinball Wizard."



JOAN JETT 'I Love Rock & Roll' | Classic Tracks
from: soundonsound.com


low resolution image Not Enlargeable JOAN JETT's heartfelt reworking of the Arrows' 'I Love Rock & Roll' became an international hit and turned her career around. Glen Kolotkin tells us how it happened.

In the autumn of 1981, 23-year-old JOAN JETT was already something of a rock & roll veteran. A native of Philadelphia who had relocated with her family to Los Angeles at the age of 12, the former Joan Marie Larkin had co-founded the all-girl power pop trio the RUNAWAYS in late 1975. This outfit quickly evolved into a quintet, signed with Mercury Records and released an eponymous debut album, after which Jett and her colleagues had toured the US and headlined shows with support acts that included Cheap Trick, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, the Ramones and Van Halen. A world tour had followed shortly after, by which time the RUNAWAYS had become part of the punk scene on both sides of the Atlantic. Yet despite a solid following in Europe and massive popularity in Japan, the band had never enjoyed major success in their home country, and following the RUNAWAYS dissolution in 1979, Jett pursued a solo career.

The BLACKHEARTS
That same year, while in England, JOAN JETT recorded three numbers with Sex Pistols Paul Cook and Steve Jones, and one of these just happened to be a cover of a song by a group called the Arrows which she had seen them perform on their self-titled ITV pop show. Written by Arrows lead singer Alan Merrill and guitarist Jake Hooker, the song was 'I Love Rock & Roll', and, as Merrill later explained, it had been their "knee-jerk response to the Rolling Stones' 'It's Only Rock & Roll'," which they viewed as Mick Jagger's "apology to those jet-set princes and princesses that he was hanging around with."

Be that as it may, the song was basically about a guy picking up a girl and taking her home, which was more than could be said for the Arrows' recording that, produced by Mickey Most and released as a B-side on his RAK Records label, didn't find its way into many homes at all. Jett's punkish version had her making all the right moves to land a young guy for the night â€" "Said I can take you home where we can be alone / And next we were movin' on / He was with me, yeah me" â€" yet it, too, didn't do much for her career at a time when she couldn't land a record deal, and it would remain unreleased until its inclusion on Flashback, her 1993 compilation of out-takes and rare cuts.

[more]


Pocono Teacher To Be Inducted Into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
from: pahomepage.com


low resolution image Not Enlargeable Wayne County, Pennsylvania -- You may recognize his face as the boy by the record machine in the classic "I Love Rock and Roll" music video or you may recognize him as a teacher at Swiftwater Elementary School. "I love teaching. I love working with kids," smiled Gary Moss.

While school children know him as Mr. Garry Moss, he went by Gary Ryan when he played bass for JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS. The band shot to stardom with the release of "I Love Rock and Roll" in 1981. "We went from a car to a motor home to tour buses and Learjets and helicopters," he recalled.

After working on several albums, Gary stepped away from the industry. He said, "I think I got weary of the road. I was very young. I think I did a lot of traveling and after a while it got to me. I just felt like I was on the road all the time, all the time, never had a sense of home."

He found a sense of home when he met his wife, Jennifer in New York. They moved to rural Wayne County, Pennsylvania and had a son, Alden. "You see I've got a wonderful family here," he beamed.

Gary recently learned he, along with the rest of the original band, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He said he was the first person JOAN JETT called with the news. "She called me that morning and said, 'Can you believe it? We were just a couple of street urchins and now we're going into the rock and roll hall of fame. It was an amazing phone call," he smiled.

They have reunited for a new project. Gary, Joan, and other band members recorded the title song for a movie directed by Catherine Hardwicke. It's called "Miss You Already." It will be released this fall. "[It was] just for old times sake and it was fun, had a good time," he said.

The band will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on April 18th. The induction TV special will air on HBO May 30th.




Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2015: JOAN JETT loves that her induction will be in Cleveland
from: cleveland.com


low resolution image Not Enlargeable CLEVELAND, Ohio - JOAN JETT loves that she and her band, the BLACKHEARTS, will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when the ceremonies are here. She and the city are intertwined like the fingers of lovers' hands.

"Where else should it be?" Jett said in a call to her New York office to discuss her induction into the Rock Hall on Saturday, April 18, in Public Hall.

"If I'm going to be inducted, Cleveland is where it should be," she said of the city and its people, for whom she feels such a connection.

"I guess I'm like them," Jett said. "I don't find Cleveland to be a kind of place that puts on any airs, and I don't either."

Plus, there's that history thing.

"We played in Cleveland with the RUNAWAYS at the Agora Ballroom many times. We found that people seemed to really like us there.

[more]


JOAN JETT's I Love Rock 'N Roll Remastered And Reissued As 33 1/3 Anniversary Edition In April
from: musictap.net


low resolution image Not Enlargeable

On April 21, BLACKHEART RECORDS will release a "33 1/3 Anniversary" Deluxe Edition of I Love Rock 'N' Roll, the 1981 classic by JOAN JETT, in celebration of over thirty years of existence. The Deluxe set will be available in both CD Deluxe, and a vinyl LP Deluxe Edition.

This is the album that delivered the anthemic title track, "I Love Rock 'N' Roll", and "Crimson And Clover", as well as other cover tracks, and originals.

I Love Rock 'N' Roll â€" 33 1/3 Anniversary Edition is expected to contain additional tracks as a bonus to the original release. The reissue will feature newly remastered audio.



A history of JOAN JETT in Cleveland: The RUNAWAYS rock The Agora in 1976
from: cleveland.com


low resolution image Not Enlargeable CLEVELAND, Ohio - It's only fitting that Jett should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month when the ceremony takes place at Cleveland's Public Hall.

The female rock icon's legendary career has featured numerous performances in Northeast Ohio right from the very beginning.

Jett's first show in Cleveland came as a member of The RUNAWAYS. The all-female band played The Agora on July 19, 1976. It was one of The Runaway's earliest performances and one of its most talked about in fan message boards.

Here's a setlist for the show:
California Paradise
Cherry Bomb
Take It or Leave It
Secrets
You Drive Me Wild
C'mon
Blackmail
Wild Thing
Don't Abuse Me
Rock 'n' Roll
Is It Day or Night?
Johnny Guitar
Dead End Justice
Because the show is such a favorite amongst fans, there are several recordings of it floating around the Internet. In the first clip, the band kicks things off with a performance of "California Paradise."



You can hear a young Jett (she wasn't even 18 yet) introducing the band's song "Secrets."

[more]


Meet the BLACKHEARTS who will be inducted with JOAN JETT
from: cleveland.com


low resolution image Not Enlargeable CLEVELAND, Ohio - JOAN JETT will not be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. As the Rock Hall's own website points out, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS consisted of a four-piece lineup that crafted some of the most memorable rock anthems of the 1980s.

Of course, Jett spent her early career as part of The RUNAWAYS and released "Bad Reputation" prior to forming the BLACKHEARTS. Yet, she'd probably be the first to tell you the most successful run of her career couldn't have happened without these three men:

Gary Ryan
Ryan, who was a fan of The RUNAWAYS growing up, joined the BLACKHEARTS after answering an ad in L.A. Weekly. He was just 15 years old when he auditioned. Prior to that, Ryan was immersed in the L.A. punk scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Once joining Jett's band, Ryan became essential to some of the group's biggest hits, including "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and the cover of "Crimson and Clover." It's hard to find anything on Ryan these days. He left JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS in 1986. Internet message boards suggest he became a teacher and no longer goes by the name Gary Ryan.

Ricky Byrd
The formation of the classic four-piece that became JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS can be traced back to Byrd replacing original guitarist Eric Ambel after the first recording session for "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Byrd brought the big power riffs the song needed. Byrd played with JOAN JETT for 12 years, collaborating on all of her majorhits. He went on to become guitarist for Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, and play with artists like Roger Daltrey and Ian Hunter. Byrd released his solo album, "Lifer," in 2013.

Lee Crystal
Drummer Lee Crystal joined JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS after the band's first European tour in 1981 and stayed on board until leaving in 1986. During his time with Jett, Crystal memorable drumming beats the tone for the albums "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" and "Album." Post BLACKHEARTS, Crystal and Ryan played together in bands in New York City for a brief time. During a 2006 interview with Modern Drummer, Crystal said, "JOAN JETT was what I needed. I wanted to play real rock 'n' roll." Crystal took up residence in New Jersey later in his life and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1993. He sadly passed away in 2013.




Win a VIP Trip With Klipsch to the Rock Hall Induction | Loudwire
from: loudwire.comBR

low resolution image Not Enlargeable Green Day, JOAN JETT and … you! That’s right, you could be in Cleveland on April 18 for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony thanks to a new contest with Klipsch Audio, Loudwire and Ultimate Classic Rock. Klipsch Audio, the leading global speaker and headphone manufacturer, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame have partnered up to unite two music industry legends founded on shared principles of heritage, respect, independence and expression.

This impressive contest package includes two tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 18, two tickets to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, round-trip coach airfare for two, transportation to and from the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, two nights at the Westin Cleveland Downtown plus a bevy of bonuses from Klipsch. You’ll also get access to the Klipsch VIP Lounge at the Westin, Klipsch GiG Portable Wireless Speaker and two pairs of Klipsch R6i In-Ear headphones.

Just think, you could be there to see Green Day and JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS be inducted and perform, and also see the inductions of legendary acts like the late Lou Reed, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Bill Withers and the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Plus, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr will receive the award for Musical Excellence, while the 5 Royales have been chosen for the Early Influence Award.

Green Day’s Billie Armstrong stated, “We’re in incredible company and I’m still trying to make sense of this. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has always held something special for me because my heroes were in there.” Meanwhile, JOAN JETT added, “It’s surreal and very humbling. It’s a culmination of all you’ve dreamed about doing as a musician.” So, to say the least, this is an event you don’t want to miss and thanks to Klipsch, you could be there.

So how do you enter to win this trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony? Simply enter your details in the form provided at the top of this post.

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2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees: 11 greatest JOAN JETT songs.
from: cleveland.com


low resolution image Not Enlargeable Counting down JOAN JETT's best song, from "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" to "Bad Reputation" and more.

1. "Bad Reputation"
The title track from Jett's 1980 album was the one that set the stage for everything to come. "Bad Reputation" finds Jett at her most punk rock, channeling The Ramones on a scathing track that lasts less than three minutes. Jett would have bigger hits, but never anything that left such a lasting impact. The song became a rebellious anthem for future generations, used as the theme for "Freaks and Geeks," covered by contemporary acts and used as the intro song for UFC champions.

2. "Cherry Bomb"
The success of Jett's solo career has perhaps overshadowed the impact of her first group The RUNAWAYS. Yet, "Cherry Bomb," a song Jett still performs live, is one of the most influential hard rock songs of all time. The track pushed girl power to a new level in the 1970s, a time when men dominated the hard rock scene.

3. "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"
It's easy to forget that Jett's biggest hit is a cover song. Rock band Arrows originally recorded "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" in 1975. However, when Jett & the BLACKHEARTS took hold of it in 1982, the song took on new life and became an epic pop-rock anthem. The single went platinum and ranks on both Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and 100 Greatest Guitar Songs.

4. "I Hate Myself For Loving You"
Jett had put together a successful early 1980s run. But by the end of the decade it had been a few years since she scored a top-10 pop hit. That changed with "I Hate Myself for Loving You," a brilliant arena anthem. The song is very much in the vein of the 1980s hair-metal scene, but it kicked aside just about everything else that was out there with a soaring hook and thunderous drums.

5. "I Love Playin' With Fire"
Jett wrote The Runaway's crisp guitar anthem form "Queens of Noise" by her lonesome. But the band surely added oomph to it. The song features a sinful theme driven home by an infectious hook and an amazing guitar solo by Lita Ford. Jett re-recorded the song later in her career, but The RUNAWAYS version remains the standard.

[more]
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