Novemember 2013 News

by Brad Angle



She was a founding guitarist of Seventies teen girl group the RUNAWAYS and rose to stardom fronting the long-running rock act the BLACKHEARTS. But what Guitar World readers really want to know is ...

The new JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS album [Unvarnished, released in October] deals with some really personal themes. Did writing these songs help you gain a new or different perspective on life? -- Mikey Nichols

Absolutely. It's like do-it-yourself psychology. [laughs] This is my most personal album in the sense that it directly points to events or things I've gone through. This last decade I've lost a lot of people, including my parents, who I was very close to. It's been a really formative, eye-opening and hard time for me.

by Classic Rock Magazine



Motorhead mainman Lemmy has nearly completed work on his solo album, he's revealed.

And even if his recent health woes mean his days on tour are numbered, he has a stack of studio projects he wants to get done, including with his rockabilly outfit Head Cat.

The band recently rescheduled their winter UK and European tour dates for early spring next year when it became clear Lemmy hadn't fully recovered from the illnesses that put him in hospital for three weeks during the summer.

by ALANNA LYNOTT



Her most famous song is Light Of Day.

And luckily for JOAN JETT, the light of day holds no fears for her, which she proved when showing off her youthful figure in a pair of skin-tight leather trousers at the AMAs in Los Angeles on Sunday.

The 55-year-old was there to present the Favourite Alternative Artist award at the prestigious music event.

Posing on the red carpet, The BLACKHEARTS singer wowed in the leather pants, which she teamed with purple boots and an unusual black and blue jacket.

Her trademark black hair ruffled to perfection, the I Love Rock 'n' Roll singer exhibited flawless porcelain skin.

Meanwhile, smokey silver and black eye make-up proved a dramatic touch.

by Ariel Guterman



A limited-edition U.S. Postal Service-approved stamp sheet featuring 20 of the world's most famous vegetarians earlier this week appeared at events in New York and Los Angeles. This is a step in the right direction for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), an animal welfare group known for its sometimes controversial approach to activism. VIP vegetarians from throughout history, ranging from Natalie Portman to Paul McCartney to Leo Tolstoy, are recognized on the stamps.

AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS
Sunday at 8/7c on ABC
Presenters announced for the "2013 American Music Awards," airing live Sunday, November 24 at 8 pm ET/PT on ABC.

2 Chainz, Akon, Marc Anthony, Ciara, Fall Out Boy, Dave Grohl, Jennifer Hudson, Michael Bolton, JOAN JETT, Heidi Klum, Lady Antebellum, Bill Maher, Andrew McCutchen, Hayden Paenttiere, Jeremy renner, Emma Roberts, Naya Rivera, Sarah Silverman, Alicia Silverstone, Taylor Swift and more..

Dick Clark productions has announced the presenters for the "2013 American Music Awards." This year’s roster includes a mix of actors, musicians, athletes and reality stars, including: 2 Chainz, Akon, Jaimie Alexander, Marc Anthony, Kristen Bell, Michael Bolton, Ciara, Chris Daughtry, Fall Out Boy, Nathan Fillion, Daisy Fuentes, Juan Pablo Galavis, Dave Grohl, Jennifer Hudson, JOAN JETT, Heidi Klum, Lady Antebellum, Bill Maher, Andrew McCutchen, Maia Mitchell, Kelly Osbourne, Hayden Panettiere, Jeremy Renner, Nicole Richie, Naya Rivera, Emma Roberts, Zoe Saldana, Sarah Silverman, Alicia Silverstone, Taylor Swift, and The Ceremonies, as well as Shark Tank cast members - Daymond John, Mark Cuban, Kevin O’Leary, Robert Herjave - in addition to some surprise appearances.

"2013 American Music Awards" will broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on the ABC.

Artists will be honored in the genres of Pop/Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Alternative Rock, Adult Contemporary, Latin, Contemporary Inspirational, Electronic Dance Music, as well as categories for Top Soundtrack, New Artist of the Year Presented by Kohl’s, Artist of the Year, and for the first year-ever, "Single of the Year." Voting has closed for all categories except Best New Artist presented by Kohl’s which ends at 9:00 p.m., ET during the show on November 24. Fans can continue to vote for this category at AMAvote.com or via Twitter.

The "2013 American Music Awards" is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro and Michael Mahan are Executive Producers and Larry Klein is Producer. Pitbull is this year’s host.

Fans can keep up with all-things American Music Awards related through "AMAs On Demand." AMAs On Demand" is available now with breaking news, artist spotlights, fashion retrospectives, interviews, and viewer generated content. Follow the AMAs on Twitter @theamas and on Facebook at Facebook.com/AMAs, as well as Instagram, tumblr and Vine. "AMAs On Demand" is updated every Thursday at TheAMAs.com.

In collaboration with Twitter, Twitter Mirrors will be placed in select backstage areas. The "selfie stations" will provide a candid look into the backstage scene. Also this year, the AMAs and Twitter will debut the first-ever VINE 360 FASHION BOOTH placed right in the middle of the red carpet. Fashion buffs around the world will have a front row seat to an unparalleled close look at celebrity red carpet fashion - on REAL TIME.

Viewers will also get a second-screen experience jam-packed with "snack-able" videos, photos, GIFs, memes, "Insta-Fashion Pops," "Thank You Cam" shout outs, and much more across every major social platform.

The "2013 American Music Awards" partners include Cumulus, Time Warner Cable, Yahoo and Music Choice.

by Alice-Coopers-Solid-Rock


Christmas Pudding just got better! Alice has just confirmed that JOAN JETT has joined this year's lineup! Joan just kicked off a major tour with her new album "Unvarnished" featuring Dave Grohl! Joan will take the stage on December 7th at... Comerica Theatre to represent women who rock! Tickets are going fast so get yours today at tickemaster.com or at the Comerica Theatre box office! All proceeds directly benefit the programs and services for our teens at Alice Cooper's Rock Teen Center! A special thanks to our title sponsor Airpark Dodge Chrysler Jeep!

Alice Cooper's 13th Annual Christmas Pudding Presented by Airpark Dodge Chrysler Jeep

Join Alice Cooper for the best holiday event of the season! This year Alice will be joined by some of the greatest rockers and entertainers in the world! All proceeds directly benefit Solid Rock and The Rock Teen Center.

2013 Christmas Pudding Lineup
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer, and Eric Singer of KISS
JOAN JETT
Rob Zombie
Vince Neil of Motley Crue
Stephen Pearcy of RATT
Tom Keifer of Cinderella
Kip Winger of Winger
Special Guest Comedian Bill Engvall
World's Fastest Speed Painter Rock Demarco
2013 Proof is in the Pudding Winners The Guitarnauts and soloist Lelea
Hosted by Seinfeld and Family Feud TV star John O'Hurley

Saturday, December 7, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Comerica Theatre
Phoenix, Arizona
Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com or at the Comerica Theatre Box office 602-379-2800.
http://www.alicecoopersolidrock.com/events/

by BWW News Desk | Photo by Walter McBride


Diamond Angels 10th Annual Fairy Tale Ball
Saturday, 11/16/2013 -- 11/16/2013 07:00 pm -- 11:00 pm
The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
3555 S Ocean Drive,Hollywood, Florida 33019
Webpage Link
Cost: $250

Guests at the 10th Annual Fairy Tale Ball will spend a magical evening in the Land of Oz when the Diamond Angels of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital Foundation host the popular event. Event-goers will follow the yellow brick road and mingle with Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion, along with other fantastically memorable characters in the ballroom, which will be transformed into the fascinating world of "The Wizard of Oz."

The fantasy-themed evening will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, dancing and an auction. The highlight will be an intimate musical performance headlined by JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS. The band will perform many of their chart-topping hits including "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," "Crimson and Clover," and "I Hate Myself for Loving You," plus songs from their latest album, Unvarnished, which was released in September. Attendees will also enjoy a smashing opening performance by Jack Blades & Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger, known for their power ballad "Sister Christian" and their rock anthem "Rock in America".

Throughout the night, Mike Marino, aka DJ 1Tre, will keep the beat pumping while comedian George Gray, announcer for "The Price is Right" and host of "The Weakest Link," returns with his signature humor to emcee the festivities. Auction prizes include designer accessories, sports and entertainment packages, five-star vacations, cruises and staycations.

by BWW News Desk | Photo by Walter McBride


Rocker JOAN JETT, Cheryl Freeman (The Who's Tommy), Ariana Groover (Bare), Steve Gouveia (Jersey Boys), Emma Hunton (Next to Normal), John Arthur Greene (Matilda), Preston Truman Boyd (Big River), Eric Michael Krop (Godspell), Michael Lanning (Bonnie and Clyde), Sarah Schmidt (Jersey Boys), Jeremy Schonfeld (Drift), Andrew Berlin, Sarah Grace, Aisha Jackson, Greg Kamp, Megan Rice join Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis (Jekyll & Hyde), Eden Espinosa (Wicked), Lena Hall (Kinky Boots), Tony Vincent (We Will Rock You/American Idiot) and Rebecca Covington, Dionne Figgins, Jawan M. Jackson, Mykal Kilgore, Krisha Marcano, Jarran Muse,Jesse Nagar and Donald Webber Jr. from Motown the Musical, join Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris, Norm Lewis, Lesli Margherita, Tituss Burgess, Donnie Kehr and more for ROCKERS ON BROADWAY 20 - Celebrating 20 Years (1993-2013) at SoHo's (le) Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street, NYC) on Monday, November 11 at 7:30 PM. Presented by The PATH Fund, Inc., tickets are on sale now at www.rockersonbroadway.com or http://www.lepoissonrouge.com

Sponsors of Rockers on Broadway 20 are Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio and the Frye Company.

This historic night will honor rock legend Pete Townshend (The Who's TOMMY) and director Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), two visionaries who broke new artistic ground while bridging the gap between Rock & Roll and Broadway. An all-star cast of Broadway's finest (to be announced) will be backed by a full band, performing numbers from the event's first two decades. The evening will include special performances by The Monkees Micky Dolenz (Aida, Grease) and honoree Des McAnuff.

Music Direction by Henry Aronson (Rock of Ages) and Joseph Church (The Who's Tommy).

Over two decades, ROCKERS ON BROADWAY has raised $300,000, with proceeds from 2013's event benefitting The ASCAP Foundation's Children Will Listen Program, The Broadway Dreams Foundation and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, says Cori Gardner, Executive Producer of The PATH Fund, the nonprofit organization that produces the event.

"ROCKERS ON BROADWAY 20 will feature 20 of the best performances celebrating the first 20 years," says event founder Donnie Kehr, who just wrapped shooting in Los Angeles recreating his Broadway role of Norm Waxman in Clint Eastwood's film of Jersey Boys.

"This year, for our 20th anniversary, we're honoring Pete Townshend and Des McAnuff because they inspired the creation of this annual event," says Kehr.

Kehr worked with the legends when he appeared in The Who's TOMMY. "Rockers began because Pete wanted TOMMY's cast of Broadway performers to get some experience performing in rock clubs to understand what he did. So our first event actually had rock god Pete Townshend playing backup for Alice Ripley, Norm Lewis, Michael Cerveris, myself and others to help give our Broadway performances a rock n' roll edge. And that spirit has guided 20 years of ROCKERS ON BROADWAY."

Lee Crystal, former drummer of JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS, has passed away. We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Lee Crystal.

"Lee Crystal was a gentleman, and a gentle man. He was a very good person and one I called a friend. He was a Blackheart during some magical times. We love him and will miss him."

- JOAN JETT*

Lee Crystal, who played drums for JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS during their height of commercial success, died after a twenty year fight with Multiple Sclerosis.

Tributes were quickly posted on a number of sites:

JOAN JETT:
Lee Crystal was a gentleman, and a gentle man. He was a very good person and one I called a friend. He was a Blackheart during some magical times. We love him and will miss him.
- JOAN JETT*

Former BLACKHEARTS guitarist Ricky Byrd:
RIP Pally...your drum fill at the beginning of I Love RnR is part of Rock history!! Always a sweetheart!! My roommate on the road! Love ya Lee...see you on the other side! Condolences to Maura and the rest of the family

Kayos Productions
My heart is very heavy right now-our dear friend and Blackheart drummer Lee Crystal just lost his valiant fight with MS. Ricky and I are devastated. Three years after graduating from high school, Crystal had his first professional success with his band The Boyfriends, opening for bands like the Ramones at CBGB. He later played with Sylvian Sylvian and David Johansen before landing a job in 1981 with JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS.

Jett and her band signed with Boardwalk Records shortly after Crystal joined which re-released her debut album as Bad Reputation. The followed late in the year with the first album on which Crystal played, the now classic I Love Rock 'n' Roll. That album included two major hits for the group, the title song, which topped the charts, and a cover of Tommy James and the Shondell's Crimson in Clover which made it to number 7.

Crystal would appear on two more albums, Album (1983) and Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth (1984) before leaving the group to play with Crash Conference and Secret Chiefs. Note that some sources also show him playing on some tracks on Bad Reputation, which was originally released as JOAN JETT in 1980 before he joined the band, and 1986's Good Music although three drummers are credited.

Lee was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1993 and, as it became harder to play drums, he retired from professional music but continuing to teach the instrument from his home.

Don’t miss On Tap tonight because Nik Carter has another exclusive interview for you! Tonight Nik & The On Tap Crew are sitting down with JOAN JETT for an exclusive interview!

There will be plenty of JOAN JETT music and you'll hear Nik & Joan discuss her new album "Unvarnished" and all things rock and roll.

by Michael Gallucci


Lee Crystal, who played drums for JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS during their most commercially successful period in the '80s, has died. He passed away from complications from multiple sclerosis, which he was diagnosed with in 1993.

According to a post on Kayos Productions' Facebook page, Crystal just "lost his valiant fight with MS."

Crystal was the BLACKHEARTS' drummer from 1981-86, playing on the band's most popular recordings, including the LPs 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' and 'Album.' Together, the Top 20 records yielded Jett's hit single covers of Sly & the Family Stone's 'Everyday People,' Tommy James and the Shondells' 'Crimson and Clover' and 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll,' which reached No. 1.

In an interview with Modern Drummer from 2006, the Brooklyn-bred Crystal said that "JOAN JETT was what I needed. I wanted to play real rock 'n' roll." Before he signed on to be Jett's drummer, Crystal played with former New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain. After splitting from the BLACKHEARTS, he played with Crash Conference and Secret Chiefs.

After his multiple sclerosis made it difficult to play drums, Crystal became a music teacher out of his New Jersey home, where he instructed drum students to "get real familiar with your drums, because you'll be hitting them."

by Evelyn McDonnell | Photo by Carolyn Cole


Don't call "Unvarnished," JOAN JETT's first new album in seven years, a comeback: The queen of noise has been here for years. For an artist whose first band was laughed off as a novelty act and whose first solo album was rejected by a couple dozen labels, Jett has shown remarkable staying power.

With her black shag and husky snarl, the woman born 55 years ago as Joan Larkin ranks among the most iconic of rock stars. This summer, the Sunset Strip Music Festival acknowledged her legendary role in L.A. history by making the former Strip denizen its first female honoree. The city of West Hollywood declared Aug. 1 JOAN JETT Day.

"It was a nice way to come back to West Hollywood and be welcomed like that, considering the way I felt when I left L.A., which was dragging my butt out of there," Jett says. "And coming back triumphantly, on that level. Not only that, everything went well. Lot of times over the year we've played L.A., and there's been weird vibes. This time everything went great."

Jett isn't resting on her leather laurels though. "Unvarnished" features all-new material and guests, including Foo Fighter Dave Grohl and Against Me's Laura Jane Grace â€" along with her stalwart bandmates the BLACKHEARTS.

by WENN


Rocker JOAN JETT is set to return to the big screen to star in and executive produce romantic comedy "Undateable John."

In the film, which also stars Daryl Hannah, Tom Arnold and Shannen Doherty, Jett will play a California folk singer, who becomes friends with an oddball couple at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, according to Deadline.

Jett will also contribute songs to the movie's soundtrack. Last month, Jett released her first album, "Unvarnished," since 2006.

Her previous screen credits include "Lock & Roll Forever," "Light of Day" and appearances on TV shows "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "Highlander."