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JOAN JETT Influences a New Generation of Women in Rock
from: AfterEllen.com
by Kris Scott Marti
Before The Donnas, the Strokes, and The Killers, there was JOAN JETT. Harder rocking than Gwen Stefani and prettier then Elvis, JOAN JETT is best known for recording, with her band The BLACKHEARTS, the ultimate rock and roll anthem, "I Love Rock N' Roll." Strutting onstage in leather, with a Gibson guitar thrown over her shoulder, Jett is every inch a rock star.
This mother of the riotgrrl/power punk sound hales from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her family moved to California in the early 70s and Joan became involved with a group of teenage women forming a band under the tutelage/exploitation of notorious promoter Kim Fowley.
After a few musician changes, The RUNAWAYS premiered with band members Lita Ford, Cherie Currie, Sandy West and JOAN JETT. An all-teenage-girl band rocking out to songs about drinking and hard living was a novel act in an era dominated by big, testosterone-fueled groups like KISS, Led Zeppelin, and The Rolling Stones. The RUNAWAYS disbanded in 1979 after putting out the punk classic "Cherry Bomb" and five albums.
Jett released her self-titled first lead album with her band The BLACKHEARTS on her own label, BLACKHEART RECORDS, which she founded with manager and co-writer KENNY LAGUNA. Jett had been rejected by 23 record labels because of her "Bad Reputation" (another one of her signature hit songs).
The joke was on the industry, though, when "I Love Rock N' Roll," from Jett's second album of the same name went to be number one on the Billboard charts in 1982. Her other hits include the very sexy and girl-centric "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James, and an aggressive version of "Do You Wanna Touch Me" by the scandalous British glam rocker Gary Glitter.
Jett's childhood dream of being an actor was realized in 1987 when she appeared in the Paul Schrader independent film Light of Day. Her costars included the very popular Michael J. Fox and acting heavy hitter Gena Rowlands. Jett received acclaim not just for her performance in the movie, but also for her version of the title song.
Jett started branching out professionally as well in the 90s. While only releasing three albums of new material mixed with revamped older songs, Jett worked with Kathleen Hannah while Hannah was in Bikini Kill as well as riotgrrl core bands L7, Bratmobile, and Babes in Toyland. Toward the end of the decade, Jett collaborated with The Gits after the tragic death of their lead singer Mia Zapata. She became so involved in the bands quest to bring Zapata's murderer to justice that she made a special appeal on America's Most Wanted. She later appeared in cameo roles on the television sitcom Ellen and sci-fi drama Highlander.
The diversity of Jett's skills and creative interests continued into the 21st century. Jett performed the role of Columbia on Broadway in the 2001 live production of Rocky Horror Picture Show. At the same time, not only was she releasing her own albums, but she was nurturing newer musical talent by producing or assisting them. The Eyeliners, out of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is one group she recently signed to BLACKHEART RECORDS. This all-female band got assistance on guitar from Jett on at least one track of their latest album.
Currently Jett is spending lots of time on the road touring, hanging out with friends like Peaches, and probably gathering plenty of material for her newest venture: DJ-ing on Sirius satellite radio. She is part of the Underground Garage channel lineup, which mines the older punk and rock sounds that influenced each celebrity DJ's career--yet another opportunity for Jett to influence a new generation of women in rock by introducing them to the best of the old.
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