|
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.
You don’t have to love rock ’n’ roll to love JOAN JETT, but it doesn’t hurt.
from: NextNC.com
by Glenn BurnSilver
A pioneer in women’s rock who broke through traditional barriers in a male-dominated profession that declared female rock bands couldn’t survive, Jett formed The RUNAWAYS and opened the door for future acts like L7, Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, and the multi-platinum Hole, led by Courtney Love.
Though The RUNAWAYS have been hailed as one of the most influential bands of girl rockers of all time, Jett, who started the band as a 15-year-old, had to prove herself again as a solo artist.
"(Once) women have their run, like rappers, they’re done. Joan had the RUNAWAYS moment and then they crossed her off the list. She was 18 years old, had done her thing and was over. We got a lot of that," recalled longtime writing partner, producer and BLACKHEARTS guitarist KENNY LAGUNA.
Take, for instance, the first record she cut after The RUNAWAYS.
"We were offering the record for free. We were saying just put the record out and pay us off what you sell. We couldn’t even give it away."
Certainly some of the 28 label executives who passed on Jett are still kicking themselves. The demo tape they were offered contained "I Love Rock and Roll," "Crimson and Clover," "Bad Reputation," "Do You Wanna Touch Me" and "You Don’t Own Me" — all future hits. In fact, "Bad Reputation" is the theme song for American Choppers.
Undeterred, Jett formed her own label and sold the records out of the trunk of Laguna’s Cadillac after gigs. Once the record broke — and it took a few years — it really took off. Fans flocked to Jett concerts in droves, bringing out the riot police and causing traffic jams. "It was like Woodstock," Laguna laughed. "People just keep coming in huge numbers."
Jett’s appeal hasn’t wavered over the years as her popularity has grown across the globe. Her latest album is "SINNER," another album of solid up-front rock ’n’ roll. There are moments of early RUNAWAYS punk-inspired rockers, raw in-your-face rave-ups, edgy ballads, and an overall aggressive rock tone. Laguna believes it is Jett’s attitude as much as the music that still attracts punkers, metalheads and rockers alike.
"Even though it’s 25 years later, she is the girl version of Elvis Presley. There is no other girl who has that combination of looks, talent and attitude," Laguna said, "and the attitude is a big part of it. Joan is pure, she is no bullshit and she’s not afraid to walk away from financial opportunities if it goes against her esthetics. She’s always been that way. It’s like a no-brainer. She is rock ‘n’ roll."
|
| |
This Week:
No shows scheduled this week.
Click on the LIVE DATES link for upcoming shows |
Item Of The Month:
|
