|
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.
First set of ASK JOAN answers are here
from: JOAN JETT
...I give you a standing ovation for entertaining the troops but you should visit some Marines...
...Just wondering when you guys may come back to Boston?...
...We are dying for some new tunes...
What is your favorite guitar ????
White Melody Maker, and Sunburst Epiphone!!
JJ*
I am a long time fan who used to enjoy seeing you play at Bogarts in Cincinnati. I have noticed that "Bad Reputation" and other CD's from your catalog are out-of-print and therefore fetching very high prices on Ebay and CD selling sites. I was wondering what your thoughts on this are, and I ask "Why don't you re-release them?"
Thanks,
Steve
Dear Steve,
Don't waste your money on ebay! All our CD's will be coming out soon. "I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll" and "Fit To Be Tied" are already out in Transworld stores (Coconuts, FYE, Sam Goody, Camelot, and others). You can also buy them through the fan club and through the website.
"Bad Reputation" and "Evil Stig" are next.
Most of the CD's can be downloaded off of the website, including "Bad Reputation."
Rock on!
JJ*
Hi Joan,
I am wondering if you are a vegetarian and if so, how does this affect the choices you make in different areas of your life?
Regards,
Jackie
Dear Jackie,
Good question! Yes, I am a vegetarian going on about 14 years now, and I am sure that fact effects my choices in life more than I am aware.
I do not judge others for their views on this.
Awareness is the key word here. Being fully aware and conscious of your choices, regardless if it's about whether or not to consume rotting flesh from a being that has been tortured its whole short life, or take the less harmful route (to sentient life) of being vegetarian. I read a lot on the subject of food and food production in America and made my choice accordingly and informedly.
Not to mention I am an animal lover and have had many animal friends from the time I was a very small child, to the present, and once I made that connection, for me, there was no other choice.
Choosing cruelty-free products in every area possible is another choice I made for my life.
I care and am much more aware of our plant friends also. That's the least I can do for something that is sustaining my life.
keep rockin'
JJ*
Dear Joan,
I love your new website feature and I liked your first answers.
I never post on the message board, but I check it out sometimes.
I notice that the moaners are still bitching.
What do you think about the hyper-critical fans who complain when they don't get what they want from you all the time, or are not satisfied when Kenny acts as spokesman, and who think they can handle career decisions as though they could do better?
With much respect,
Sharon
Dear Sharon,
You can't please everybody all the time. I am an honest person, and answer the questions you are sending me, thats all I can do.
Some people tend to take what I say as a personal attack, which it is not.
When information is given to the fan club through Kenny, you all must realize that it's coming from me, and he is speaking at my behest.
As far as people being upset with my career decisions, I'm in a tough game, and it is more difficult than they can fathom.
A lot of people have supported me because I do my own thing and am unorthodox. So I am surprised, to say the least, when fans complain that I don't model my career the way they expect it should be.
I’m always working hard.
Thanks for your e-mail,
JJ*
Joan,
Great Site, but I think if you wrote a letter / blurb to the fans once every month on what is going on with you and the BLACKHEARTS would be very good. Kenny should be in the background on addressing issues and it should be you to address issues.
Quite frankly your unreleased stuff is bootlegged along with your released music. That what happens when fans wait forever for new releases. So get your new tunes out in the stores pronto.
I give you a standing ovation for entertaining the troops but you should visit some Marines ( maybe you have and I dont know about it)
Anyways I hope to see you in the Chicago area soon. I noticed there are not any dates set for 2003 for Chicago.
Take Care and Keep Rockin,
Frank
Dear Frank,
I do visit Marines all the time. The modern military deploys combinations of the various branches of service.
We were with Marines training in Gitmo (Cuba). The Marines' antiterrorism unit guarded us in the middle east, we were with Marines in Afghanistan, etc.
JJ*
Joan,
Hey, I just wanted to say that it's a cool thing you're doing with the ask Joan feature!
I've been a big fan since the early 80's and I always will be.
Is there a particular reason why you haven't been down to south Florida lately, particularly Gulfstream Park?? I saw you play there twice and really enjoyed both shows. I hope you guys will come to south Florida soon. There are some great venues here.
I hope to catch you at Disney on December 31. If I have the money, I just started a biz so it's a lil tight this month. But I'll try to be there.
Keep Rockin' and Thanks for Listening!
Brandi
Dear Brandi,
I love playing south Florida, which has supported my music since The RUNAWAYS. Perhaps the radio stations have not been playing much of my music lately, because our touring opportunities elsewhere have be plentiful, but not so in south Florida.
When we have a situation where we can come do a show there, I will be thrilled, and we will be there!!!
JJ*
Hi Joan!
Just wondering when you guys may come back to Boston? Haven't seen you here since Boston Pride 2000 (AMAZING day/show). And, is it possible you might release some unreleased stuff through the fan club website?I would pay anything for those priceless tracks! How about some bootleg live concert videos?
Here's a foolish question: Your thoughts on Courtney Love? Ever met her? How about Mike Ness (I would love it if you two worked together)?
Barry Ware
P.S. Please keep on doing what you're doing. You're an amazing inspiration to us all- not to mention stunning ALWAYS ;)
Dear Barry,
I love Boston and the wild rockin' crowds there.
We used to stay out of Boston because the radio stations were all fighting over who would present the show, and there was no way to come to town without choosing between our friends. Now, no one is playing our music, so no promoters are making offers.
I will make it a priority to find a concert to play soon!!
I have met Courtney Love, and she opened for us at a rock for choice concert in Los Angeles with L7 and the Chili Peppers.
Mike Ness is a friend of mine and I have been a fan of Social D for years. I would love to write a song with that guy!
Social D opened for us at U.C.L.A. many years ago.
JJ*
Hey Joan,
I think it's great you have decided to start taking part and touching base with fans again, it has been a long time. I have been a fan since 1982. I was a JOAN JETT fan first, then later a RUNAWAYS fan. I collect everything and anything related to you.
I have to admit I (as many others) have been feeling disappointed in recent years however the way your career has been handled. I feel 8 years without a new studio album is just too long and all the fans have been given is re-issues or albums like Fetish or USA with only two new tracks and all old stuff. I feel Pure and simple and especially Headlock, were turning points in your career. I saw such artistic growth come from you with these two albums and yet Headlock (an album I felt was the greatest masterpiece of your career) was kept locked up and shelved from fans, while only filler type cover songs (Love stinks,Let's do it, We're not gonna take it etc.) were being released. It was like a huge step backwards going from things like Pure and simple, Evil Stig and Headlock to cover songs.
I don't know if all this was Kenny's doing or Warner brother's doing or what, but fans have been left in the dark to wonder for themselves, posting what they think is true or might be true. Many fans feel left out, forgotten, it has been a very hard 4 or 5 years.
I love your music (even the covers, and the old hits) I love you too, but music is what brought you and the fans together.
We are dying for some new tunes. We need our heroine back singing her heart out. For years you were our voice. Singing for the underdogs of the world, singing songs other women were too scared to sing. I just would like to see you back in the studio writing, singing and recording, growing as an artist. I don't believe you lost all your creativity. I think even after all these years you could still go into a studio and create another Pure and simple. Even if you have to release it as an indie on your own label, it doesn't matter. The fans will love it no matter how well it sells or charts. Sales are not everything. A lot of artists (especially rock artists) are going and doing indie. Please Joan, release some new music. Give us the Headlock songs to tie us over til an all new Cd can be made, but please make new music your priority.
One last comment, I would love to see a change in your setlist. I understand you need to do the hits but it makes me angry that some of your most artistic songs are left off the setlist. I can't believe you would not embrace more of your own self-penned material. No stuff from Notorious or Pure and simple in the live sets,how can that be? Forget Everyday people (a minor top 40 hit from 20 years ago) and end each show with Don't surrender. Add songs YOU wrote. Songs like Naked and Five and Kiss on the lips should be in the setlist not cover songs like Roadrunner and I wanna be your dog, these two songs were not even hits.
O.k.,I'll let you go. I'm very happy you added the feature "Ask Joan" and I hope it stays. I hope you have a happy holiday too. I also hope 2003 will be a step back into the right direction.
Rick
Dear Rick,
Oh Rick, Rick, Rick. Lets plow into some of these comments.
Songs such as "Love Stinks", "Lets Do It", and "We're Not Gonna Take It" were done as outside projects, for films and a tribute album. These recordings have nothing to do with the BLACKHEARTS own situation.
Kenny wants a new record out as bad as you do, maybe more. Besides, it is not your territory to decide who I choose to work with. I am a smart, independent woman, thank you.
It was Warner Brothers who refused to put out the three we did for them over the last 8 years. They kept changing personnel and in their chaotic state, many artists have suffered.
I am writing songs constantly, thinking about writing constantly, and I want a new album out more than anyone. Believe me, as soon as I can, I will.
Having success with a record release is very complicated. If it were easy, everyone who plays and sings would do it.
Record sales have never been my motivation for making records or for playing music. Music is for my soul. If you sell records doing it, great. But its not the end all. Anyone who knows me, KNOWS THAT!!!
Your point about the set list is right. We will be re-working the set list at every opportunity, but it may take a few shows.
Thanks for your letter.
JJ*
HI JOAN,
I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL THAT YOU ARE TAKING THE TIME TO TALK TO YOUR FANS VIA E-MAIL.
I SAW YOUR SHOW IN DENVER A FEW YEARS AGO, AND IT WAS THE BEST SHOW I HAVE EVER SEEN! I ALSO MET YOU AFTERWARD AND THOUGHT YOU WERE A VERY SINCERE PERSON. NOT MANY PERFORMERS WILL HANG OUT AFTER A SHOW TO MEET THEIR FANS. THAT'S VERY COOL.
ON TO MY QUESTION. I LIVE IN FORT COLLINS COLORADO (MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD OF IT) AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU THINK THERE WOULD EVER BE A CHANCE OF YOU PLAYING HERE? SHOWS ARE PRETTY BIG HERE, WE HAVE HAD SOME BIG NAMES PLAY HERE, AND IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU WOULD BE ONE OF THEM. AND HEY, IF YOU DO, I'M A DRUMMER...MAYBE WE COULD JAM!
THANK YOU FOR GIVAWESOME YOUR AWSOME MUSIC FOR SO MANY YEARS. IT GOT ME THROUGH CHILDHOOD, BEING A TEENAGER, AND NOW ITS HAPPROACHAS I APROACH 30!
THANKS FOR LISTENING SINCERELY,
JULES
Dear Jules,
Of course I've heard of Fort Collins. My niece lives in the Denver vicinity and I want to come to Colorado as much as possible.
It is such a beautiful state.
JJ*
Hi Joan,
I saw this new feature, and being a fan since the age of 18 (I am now 37) I just HAD to take this opportunity to write!
Like most of your fans, I am starved for new music and like most Canadian fans, I am starved for a live show! I have been posting on the message board, and it seems like a lot of people out there are pretty disillusioned. If they're anything like me, it's only because you have always seemed like a sister (in more ways than one) to a lot of them and they only want the best for you (meaning huge public awareness, a hit record, and movie stardom, I suppose, though you've already had all of those things).
It's silly, but I still get a thrill just seeing your name in print. I suppose I feel such a strong affinity for you that your successes make me feel proud.
At any rate, this is supposed to be a question forum, and I'm sure you get tired of people telling you their life story and how you fit into it. I guess, like most fans, I'm wondering why there has been so little apparent effort to get new music out. You are such a talented musician and songwriter, and I've really enjoyed watching you grow as an artist; I'd like to see more of that growth process! I would like to see you focus more on writing and producing your own music, demonstrating more and more independence and control. I would like to hear more of what you think of where our world is going. You have been such a profoundly influential force in the music world, and I would like to see you expanding those influences even more. I'd like to know... when can I expect to see new product? When can I expect to call my local radio station and request the newest JOAN JETT song? When can I expect to go into my local record store and buy all ten copies of your latest CD?
I wish you peace, I wish you love, and most of all I wish you inspiration!
Thanks for all the Glorious Music!
Your faithful supporter and admirer,
Mark
Dear Mark,
When you are not hearing from your favorite artists, sometimes it is because the mass media is ignoring them.
In our case, the BLACKHEARTS have recorded some 35 songs over the last few years, and our label couldn't figure out how to market our music, and so did not release it.
The mainstream music industry never understood my music, which is how I ended up owning so many of my masters.
In retrospect, they come on board, but even after my first hits, we had to promote "I HATE MYSELF FOR LOVING YOU" ourselves over the objections of the Epic Records promotion brass.
When you are not fitting into the cookie cutter mold of the moment, people in the music industry don't understand it, and I never fit in to a mold, nor will I.
I am also not obsessed with being the most mainstream artist at all times.
It has been a pretty hectic and busy year and I've been on the go a lot. But recently things are a little quieter, and so I am able to relax and enjoy my home, family and friends. thanks for asking.
JJ*
|
| |
This Week:
No shows scheduled this week.
Click on the LIVE DATES link for upcoming shows |
Item Of The Month:
|
