July 2013 News

The scent of fried food. The whirr of machinery intermingling with screams of elation. The sight of eye-bulging over-saturation and over-stimulation.

I'm at the fair.

But it's in the OC...so mixed in with the turkey legs and tilt-o-whirls are environmentally-friendly sand sculptures and butterfly sanctuaries.

I grew up going to rodeos and county fairs in Texas, and all of the sights, sounds, and smells put me promptly in the way-back machine. Amongst the artery-clogging foods and carney-managed rides, part of me wants to turn into that kid that eats sugar* and rides rides until I wanna puke...but instead I sought out a vegeterian-friendly meal option, let butterflies land on me, and then walked down to the amphitheater....

....BECAUSE I WAS THERE TO SEE JOAN MOTHERFUCKING JETT!

Close your eyes.

Envision me at about 5 years old with thick bangs and hair down to my butt. I loved to dance. I can remember this song coming on, I can even remember the silver boom box that played host to the momentous occasion. It was in the spare bedroom of my parent's house in Houston. I was fastening flashy outfits out of my mother's bandanas. And then I heard it:

"I saw him dancing there by the record machine
I knew he must have been about seventeen
The beat was going strong
Playing my favorite song
And I could tell it wouldn't be long till he was with me, yeah me"

My ears perked and I start clapping.

"Singing, I love rock and roll
So put another dime in the jukebox, baby
I love rock and roll
So come and take your time and dance with me
’ Ow!"

by Lisa Millegan Renner

Even rockers have to grow up some time. That's what JOAN JETT has come to grips with as she's hit her mid-50s and experienced the loss of both her parents and others close to her.

The "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" singer has taken a more serious tone in her upcoming album, "Unvarnished," due for release in October.

"I'm in a different part of my life," she said in a recent phone interview. "The songs aren't all sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. There comes a time when you have to go through stuff. For me -- this isn't very uplifting -- but I call it the decade of death, losing people, companion animals very close to me, my parents, really heavy things."

Still, Jett won't be all gloom and doom when she performs Saturday at Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys. She and her band will be mixing in her classic hits, including "Bad Reputation," "I Hate Myself For Loving You" and "Crimson and Clover," along with the newer material at the show.

Jett, 54, knows all about having a good time and has been doing just that since she was 13 and her parents brought her an electric guitar. Within just a couple of years, she co-founded the all-girl punk band The RUNAWAYS, which gained international success. A few years back, a movie was made about the group, starring Kristen Stewart as Jett.

The band broke up in 1979 over disagreements about musical style, money and management of the band, but Jett went on to greater fame.

She formed a new band, the BLACKHEARTS, which recorded her biggest hit, "I Love Rock 'N' Roll." The song was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks in 1982.

Jett's varied career since then has included a co-starring role with Michael J. Fox in the 1987 dramatic movie "Light of Day" and appearances on Broadway ("The Rocky Horror Show") and TV shows such as "Oprah" and "Law and Order."

by Erin Beck STAFF WRITER

MountainFest expecting 60K bikers to attend custom chopper and motorcycle stunt shows.

MORGANTOWN â€" Thousands of bikers from throughout the country will convene in Morgantown next week for four days of music and motorcycles.

The ninth annual MountainFest will feature classic rock, a custom chopper show and motorcycle stunt shows, among other entertainment.

MountainFest, LLC is a non-profit organization, with proceeds benefiting Mylan Park and related community projects at the recreational and educational complex. "This will be our ninth year," organizer Cliff Sutherland said. "We've donated over $6,000 to charity in the first eight years."

Sutherland helps plan the festival with Steve Solomon, board members and several volunteers.

The result is a $12 million economic impact, drawing about 60,000 bikers to the region.

by DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Multi-platinum selling, iconic rock goddess JOAN JETT has been selected as the festival honoree at this year's SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL (SSMF), taking place in West Hollywood August 1-3.

Since co-founding the pioneering all-girl punk quintet The RUNAWAYS at age 15, Jett has continued to be an originator, innovator, visionaryÐand a pivotal figure in the history of The Sunset Strip.

As with previous SSMF honorees, JETT will be celebrated at an exclusive VIP event Thursday, August 1 at the House of Blues Sunset Strip, kicking off the three-day music festival.

There she will be presented with the coveted "Elmer Valentine Award" and, immediately following the tribute ceremony, lucky attendees will enjoy a full live performance by JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS.

In addition to the VIP reception, the City of West Hollywood will honor JETT by officially proclaiming Thursday, August 1 "JOAN JETT Day."

The lineup for this year's SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL include Linkin Park, Awolnation, Wale, Black rebel motorcycle club, Logic, Slick Rick/Doug E. Fresh, Asher Roth, Finch and Street Drum Corps are confirmed to perform outdoors at the annual street festival.