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Jett age: The pioneering singer still loves rock 'n' roll
from: Recordnet.com
by Joshua Rotter, special to The Record
JOAN JETT knows firsthand the danger of being a pop culture pioneer.
The Philadelphia native was just 15 when she earned her first national exposure as part of producer Kim Fowley’s seminal all-girl band the RUNAWAYS. Women rockers were rare in the mid-1970s, and the RUNAWAYS’ club clientele occasionally made it clear they preferred it that way.
"The audiences were very macho and didn’t want to see girls on stage," Jett recalled. "They told me to get off.
"Then you have a whole audience spitting on you. I would be covered with a sea of it. Then the bottles would be thrown at you. More often than scared, I was (angry)."
While the crowds are tamer, Jett, is not, remaining as dedicated to rock and her right to perform it as ever. "Fans can expect to see some high-energy rock ’n’ roll," Jett said. "The songs are familiar. It’s one big party."
Plenty of women rockers have followed in Jett’s wake, from Pat Benatar and Courtney Love to Vixen and the Donnas. While the quantity has certainly increased, Jett said she believes the quality in general has suffered. She’s looking to counteract that by working with a new generation of bands, including the rock sisters the Eyeliners and the punk outfit the Vacancies.
Jett’s no-frills, no-holds-barred approach remains reflected in her own music. Her latest album is "Naked."
"To me, ‘Naked’ is about introspection, listening to your own self," she said. "In the same terms, I’m trying to grow.
"You can’t make excuses," she added. "You can either grow or rot. It’s a spiritual thing."
Jett had moved with her family to Southern California via Baltimore by the time she picked up a guitar at 14. Within a year, she was on the road with the RUNAWAYS, a teen sex-and-rock ’n’ roll outfit whose lineup also came to include Cherie Currie and Lita Ford. Critically panned and never commercially successful, the group did score a minor hit with "Cherry Bomb."
Jett left in 1980 to work with songwriter-producer KENNY LAGUNA. When her debut album was rejected by 23 U.S. labels, the pair released "Bad Reputation" independently on their own BLACKHEART RECORDS.
The follow-up came out in December 1981, and its title track, "I Love Rock ’n’ Roll," emerged as one of 1982’s biggest singles, logging seven weeks at No. 1. Jett scored two more hits before the year was out, "Crimson and Clover" and "Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)."
That success, however, brought little initial respect.
"I had musicians that said, ‘I can’t believe I’m opening for a (woman),’ " she said. "I’m surprised at how musicians can be so stupid. There is no need for that kind of lack of respect."
Jett continued to chart through the ’80s with "Fake Friends," "I Hate Myself For Living You," "Little Liar" and "Dirty Deeds." She also branched off into acting, appearing opposite Michael J. Fox in the film "Light of Day" and on Broadway in "The Rocky Horror Show."
Despite the passing years, Jett remains a rock ’n’ roll true believer. She clearly sees the significance of those long ago club dates.
"It was a clash of beliefs," Jett said. "I believed I deserved to be up there. If they don’t like it, they can go home."
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