March 2014 News

by Tim Cain


Who: JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS
What: "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"
When: Released on Jan. 20, 1982; Hit No. 1 on March 20, 1982

I love rock 'n' roll, you love rock 'n' roll, he/she/it loves rock 'n' roll. Put another dime in the jukebox, add a killer, back-to-basics riff underneath a proper growl, and you got a hit for the '80s. No song offers the simple sentiment about digging good tuned better than this classic JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS hit, and today (March 20) marks 32 years since the song took a loving hold on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven straight weeks. So, for today's #ThrowbackThursday, we're going to take another look back at this tune.

Originally written, recorded and released by the Arrows in 1975, JOAN JETT reportedly first heard this track in 1976 while on tour in England. After covering the song solo, she recorded a version with the BLACKHEARTS in 1982 and the rest, as they say, is history. Sang with Jett's trademark ennui-filled yet sassy vocals during the verses and balls to the walls energy during the chorus, "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" offers the perfect amount of rebellion for a bona fide rock track. Mix those elements with that killer, stomping guitar, and this track not only has attitude, it has all those perfect ingredients for an earworm.

So, throw on some leather, puff up your bangs and listen to "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" below:

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http://herald-review.com
from: herald-review.com
by Darrell Moen


8 p.m., Saturday, March 22, 2014, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch, MN, 1-877-849-1640, www.treasureislandcasino.com, $35 & $45.

It was the summer of 1982 when Duffy's was still a viable venue for live music. It was located in the infamous 'Hub of Hell', right on the corner of 26th Av. S. and E. 26th St. The raggy carpet held more dirt than the vacuum could lift out. There were deep gouges in the bar that were filled in with lots of varnish. The toilets were almost clean, the pool tables were flat and they had an "Asteroids" machine near the fire exit.

One was playing Asteroids while guzzling beer to maintain a good buzz for the show that night. JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS were coming, on tour promoting their "I Love Rock and Roll" album. They were a bit more polished than The RUNAWAYS but grittier and very loud. A feminine hand put several quarters on the machine and a raspy voice said, "Let the machine win, OK? I've got sound check in 30."

A quick glance confirmed that it was indeed JOAN JETT herself. She smiled with half of her mouth, much like Elvis Presley's smug little grin, and accepted the offer to play first. She also accepted the flattering remarks about her first album with a quick thanks and said "I'm glad you're a fan but I'm gonna kick your ... at this game."

She lost three of five but was very gracious in defeat. Sound check went well and she passed along a guitar pick as a parting gift. One held the memory much longer than she did and it lingers on to this day, a bonus since that was a fairly liquid summer. Her performance was high energy, gritty and loud as stated and that has not changed over the years. There will be no rematch. Asteroids and Duffy's are both long gone but the music remains just as important as it was back then.

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Robot Skeleton Army News : Late Late Show Guests
from: rsanews.com/


Monday, March 31 - Drew Carey hosts a special April Fools' Day edition of The Late Late Show with guests comedian Carl Reiner, columnist Connie Schultz and musicians JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS

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Jerrod Nieman, JOAN JETT, Grandmaster Flash Playing Wichita River Festival
from: wibw.com


WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) -- The Wichita River Festival has announced what musical acts will perform at this year's festival concerts.

Country artist Jerrod Nieman, who was born in Harper and raised in Liberal will headline the Coleman Country Concert on May 31. Chuck Wicks will be his opening act.

On June 1, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS will take the stage. Jett is known for her hits "I Love Rock and Roll" and "Bad Reputation."

Grandmaster Flash will DJ the Wet & Wild Neon Dance Party on Wednesday, June 4. The pioneering DJ brought hip-hop and rap to the mainstream as the front man of The Furious Five and their 1982 hit "The Message."

R&B/Blues artist Kelly Hunt will perform during Cajun festivities on Kennedy Plaza on June 5.

On June 6 on the Waterwalk Stage, the eighties rock group the Romantics will perform their hits "Talking in Your Sleep" and "What I Like About You."
[more]

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JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS to Headline at Decatur Celebration
from: wandtv.com

Decatur - The Decatur Celebration has booked a headliner for the downtown street festival.

Rock 'n Roll legends, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS will headline the Ameren Bud Light, and Main Place Properties Show Stage on Sunday, August 3. Social media fans received the announcement as a special St. Patrick's Day gift.

Lori Sturgill, Producer/Director said, the band has been on the dream list, and she is excited to break tradition by announcing the band before the rest of the line-up on May 9.
[more]

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Info 101: Musicbits 60: Bring on that bad reputation
from: examiner.com
by Darrell Moen


8 p.m., Saturday, March 22, 2014, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch, MN, 1-877-849-1640, www.treasureislandcasino.com, $35 & $45.

It was the summer of 1982 when Duffy's was still a viable venue for live music. It was located in the infamous 'Hub of Hell', right on the corner of 26th Av. S. and E. 26th St. The raggy carpet held more dirt than the vacuum could lift out. There were deep gouges in the bar that were filled in with lots of varnish. The toilets were almost clean, the pool tables were flat and they had an "Asteroids" machine near the fire exit.

One was playing Asteroids while guzzling beer to maintain a good buzz for the show that night. JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS were coming, on tour promoting their "I Love Rock and Roll" album. They were a bit more polished than The RUNAWAYS but grittier and very loud. A feminine hand put several quarters on the machine and a raspy voice said, "Let the machine win, OK? I've got sound check in 30."

A quick glance confirmed that it was indeed JOAN JETT herself. She smiled with half of her mouth, much like Elvis Presley's smug little grin, and accepted the offer to play first. She also accepted the flattering remarks about her first album with a quick thanks and said "I'm glad you're a fan but I'm gonna kick your ... at this game."

She lost three of five but was very gracious in defeat. Sound check went well and she passed along a guitar pick as a parting gift. One held the memory much longer than she did and it lingers on to this day, a bonus since that was a fairly liquid summer. Her performance was high energy, gritty and loud as stated and that has not changed over the years. There will be no rematch. Asteroids and Duffy's are both long gone but the music remains just as important as it was back then.

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BAD REPUTATION: JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS @ THE ROXY, 3/16/14
from: hardrockchick.com


I was sitting at my computer on Valentine's Day when I got an alert that JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS would be playing The Roxy, and was immediately on sale. Freak out! I pounced on two tickets for my lover and I, and V-day was off to a brilliant start. A month later, and I still couldn't quite believe that I was going to see JOAN JETT in such a small place. Especially when we arrived and the line went on for blocks, I was left wondering how we were all going to fit inside!

The event was to benefit the LA Gay & Lesbian Center, which wasn't immediately apparent when I bought the tickets, but it didn't matter as I'm all for equal love. However, I didn't realize that that meant that Linda Perry would be the emcee, we'd hear about some HEAVY SHIT before the show, and, also, Ozzy & Sharon and Billy Morrison would be some of the rock elite/supporters of the org watching from VIP.

IMG_7843The look on my guy's face was priceless as JOAN JETT emerged and stood on stage a short distance from us. Wearing a shiny red jumpsuit, Jett and the band launched straight into essentially the same set I saw last summer. But I didn't mind at all… she was meant to be heard in venues like this, rather than a formal amphitheater. The RUNAWAYS were a fixture down the street at The Whisky-A-Go-Go in the mid-seventies, and that was definitely something that I thought about over the course of the set.

Standing in the corner of the curved Roxy stage meant that I was almost behind JOAN JETT, giving a good vantage point of the front row of fans. These women where surprisingly unemotive at first, but finally the shock of nearness to a rock idol wore off and they began to sing and dance along. What really came across during this set to me was JOAN JETT's vibe; that of the epitome of cool. That perfect mix of not giving a fuck but still caring about her craft, that of being introspective and thoughtful but shrugging off the rest of the world.

The temperature rose as the night progressed; participating in call and response rock music had me working up a sweat. Or perhaps it was the lyrics and the beats and the memories and the company. While all of the hits were played, a few songs from her new record were peppered in, and required a stagehand to post the lyrics in front of her for those songs. However, she barely seemed to utilize this. Rock & roll.

Clapping and dancing along, JOAN JETT and her band dealt the crowd a great time, much more so than the drunks wearing green stumbling around outside had.

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Rockfest pumps up its lineup and cleans up its act
from: ottawacitizen.com
by TONY LOFARO, OTTAWA CITIZEN


OTTAWA â€" California punkers Blink 182 and iconic rockers Motley Crue are among the headliners at a revamped and re-ordered Amnesia Rockfest June 20-21 at the Montebello, Quebec Marina.

Other headliners joining the ninth annual edition of what bills itself as the largest music festival in Canada are metal pioneers Megadeth and Primus. grunge band Alice in Chains and the alternative band Weezer. Already announced was punkers NOFX. In all about about 150 bands will shake, rattle and roll the small West Quebec village about two hours east of Ottawa.

After a problem-plagued festival last year that included long lines at the ticket kiosks, delayed bus shuttle service, unsanitary conditions around the portable toilets and debris scattered across the festival site, organizers have moved to clean up the event's image. They entered into a partnership with the Festival d'ete de Quebec which will run all production logistics for the festival. The Festival d'ete de Quebec runs a major event in Quebec City every summer.

Rockfest organizers admit the event got too big last year and that led to unexpected problems.
[more]

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Guitar Gals: The Top 10 Female Guitar Players of All Time
from: gibson.com
by Anne Erickson

)

While the world of guitar rock, admittedly, is male-heavy, a number of female players have risen to the top over the years, proving women have just as much aptitude for the 6-string as their male colleagues. These women crushed instruments and eardrums in pursuit of a new way to make the guitar sing, scream, shout and move souls.

In this Top 10 list, Gibson.com pays respect to those pioneering players. Who are your top female strummers? Join the debate in the comments section below.

10. Joni Mitchell
Beginning her career as a folkie with an impressive armory of open tunings and evolving into a jazz-influenced player, Joni Mitchell brought a silky touch and smooth, bending voice to her pop-folk songs, with subjects that touched on everything from lost love to the government. Musicians of every genre â€" Prince, Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan - count Mitchell among their key influences. Meditative and thoughtful, her songs helped create the flourishing style of early '70s California, and her songs scaled the charts, including "Help Me," "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Free Man in Paris."

9. Bonnie Raitt
Bonnie Raitt's honeyed voice, skillful slide guitar work and archetypal collection of folk, pop, blues, soul and R&B songs have made her one of the most hailed musicians of her generation. Though she was an industry favorite from the early '70s, Raitt didn't reach the equivalent in commercial success until her tenth studio album, 1989's Nick of Time. The #1-selling Billboard 200 album whirled her into the mainstream with captivating, flawlessly performed tracks "Have a Heart" and "Thing Called Love." After multiple Grammy wins, platinum-selling albums and an induction into the Rock on the Roll Hall of Fame, Raitt has achieved the kind of widespread success fans and critics had expected for decades.

8. Nancy Wilson
Nancy Wilson's sweeping guitar work helped define '70s and '80s classic rock. As songwriter and guitarist for Heart, she brought loud-and-proud arena rock songs and high-volume power ballads to a hungry rock 'n' roll public. Wilson's playing presented acoustic fingerstyle work in an electric environment, and it came together with her sister Ann's muscular vocals. Forceful yet melodic rockers such as "Sing Child," "Magic Man" and "Crazy on You" quickly coined the band "the female Led Zeppelin," but Wilson's knack for near-folk ballads made it clear she had her own identity and vision for Heart from the get-go.

7. Kaki King
Georgia-born solo guitarist Kaki King brings an illustrious fusion of jazz, punk and folk to her shows, not to mention a rare percussive technique and the use of unique tunings on acoustic and lap steel. That originality and imagination earned her the first-ever female "Guitar God" from Rolling Stone. As for collaborations, King has teamed with Eddie Vedder (for the soundtrack for the movie Into the Wild), Dave Grohl (on the Foo Fighters' Echoes, Silence, Patience and Grace) and co-produced a track for Miley Cyrus with Timbaland. Call King a new generation of guitar player, with an acoustic sound that's full of tapped melodies and darting rhythms.
[more]

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JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS on David Letterman
from: dailymotion.com



David Letterman - JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS... by cbs

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Heels & Picks: Jett goes 'Unvarnished'
from: honolulupulse.com
by ERIN SMITH / Special to the Star-Advertiser | Photo by the Associated Press


Ever wonder if rock 'n' roll icons have bad days? Sometimes, no matter how many top 10 radio hits you've had, you still get stuck on the side of the road.

Just ask JOAN JETT.

"I just got out of a meeting and my car is broken," she said by phone on Feb. 24. "It's just the battery so it's not too bad; the Cadillac guys are coming to fix it. But it is freezing here, I wish I was with you where it's warm."

So began my conversation with the First Lady of Rock 'n' Roll. Jett's tough voice, still kind and genuine, belied a lifetime of snarling her way through the music business (make no mistake -- it's still a boy's club). She spoke animatedly about things she cared about or interested her, yet she was also level-headed and funny.

Jett may have been in meetings and running errands like any other ordinary businesswoman when I spoke to her last month, but she has led anything but an ordinary life thus far. Starting the all-girl band The RUNAWAYS at the age of 15 helped pave the way for other women to play rock 'n' roll just like men did.

She's had top 10 radio hits with her indelible songs, "I Love Rock n' Roll" and "I Hate Myself for Loving You," and opened for Queen at the pinnacle of their success. Make no mistake, the woman has major accomplishments notched in her studded belt.

More recently, she was joined by the Foo Fighters to perform her song, "Bad Reputation," on "Late Night with David Letterman," has spent time co-writing with Dave Grohl, and just made history when Revolver Magazine named her the first woman recipient of their Golden God Award.
[more]

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JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS continue to defeat the title on 103 GBF Rocks' Rocktagon
from: 103gbfrocks.com


JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS defended their title against You Me at Six on Wednesday's 103 GBF Rocks' Rocktagon. Jettheads railed with "Any Weather" receiving over 99% of the vote!


Today Asking Alexandria face off against JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS in Thursday’s Rocktagon battle. Listen to the songs, cast your vote, and find out who wins during Nocturnal Emissions. Voting wraps up Thursday night at 8!

VOTE NOW! Click here to vote.

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Daily Headlines about Craig Ferguson & The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
from: rsanews.com


Future guests for later broadcasts â€" air dates not yet announced

Actress Betty White
Actor Brett Dalton
Actress Valerie Bertinelli
Comedian Howie Mandel
Actress Valorie Curry
Actress Ginger Gonzaga
Actress Scarlett Johansson
Comedienne Wanda Sykes
TV Host Regis Philbin
Actor/Comedian Carl Reiner
Musician JOAN JETT
Actress Angela Kinsey
Actress Gina Carano

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Jettheads defeat the title on 103 GBF Rocks' Rocktagon
from: 103gbfrocks.com


JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS went up against Beware of Darkness on yesterday's 103 GBF Rocks' Rocktagon. Jettheads railed with "Any Weather" receiving over 99% of the vote!


Today JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS are up against You and Me at Six

You and Me at Six faces off against JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS in today's Rocktagon battle brought to you by Unspoken Art Studio. Listen to the songs, cast your vote, and find out who wins during Nocturnal Emissions. Voting wraps up Wednesday night at 8!

VOTE NOW! Click here to vote.

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Beware of Darkness vs. JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS -- Rocktagon
from: 103gbfrocks.com


Beware of Darkness faces off against JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS in today's Rocktagon battle brought to you by Unspoken Art Studio. Listen to the songs, cast your vote, and find out who wins during Nocturnal Emissions. Voting wraps up Tuesday night at 8!

Click here to vote NOW!

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LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN
from: broadwayworld.com


JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS will be appearing on TV Late Show with David Letterman.

3/7/2014 at 11:35 pm on CBS

Guests:
Lenny Marcus, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS

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Like A Storm vs. JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS - Rocktagon
from: 103gbfrocks.com


Like A Storm faces off against JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS in this weekend's Rocktagon battle brought to you by Unspoken Art Studio. Listen to the songs, cast your vote, and find out who wins during Nocturnal Emissions. Voting wraps up Friday night at 8!

Click here to vote NOW!

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JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS vs. Lovehammers -- Rocktagon
from: 103gbfrocks.com



JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS faced off against Lovehammers in 103 GBF The River City Rocker's Rocktagon battle last week - Jettheads spoke! JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS' "Any Weather" won with over 76% of the votes!

Click here to vote NOW!