Page updated on April 30, 2020
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. T. Rex Tribute, Featuring U2 and Elton John and Helmed by Hal Willner, Coming in September from: variety.com by Jem Aswad
"AngelHeaded Hipster," a long-percolating tribute album to Marc Bolan and T. Rex - featuring U2, Elton John, Nick Cave, JOAN JETT, Lucinda Williams and Father John Misty, and which is a companion to a forthcoming documentary film on the legendary rocker - is due on Sept. 4. The first track from the album, Cave's take on Bolan's 1971 song "Cosmic Dancer," can be heard here.
The 26-track album, helmed by veteran producer Hal Willner - who passed away April 7 due to complications from coronavirus - features a tag team between U2 and Elton John on T. Rex's biggest hit, "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," as well as contributions from Cave, Jett, Williams, Misty, Todd Rundgen, Perry Farrell, Soft Cell singer Marc Almond, Kesha and many others. The full track list appears below.
Both the album and documentary are from BMG, in collaboration with Who/Robert Plant manager Bill Curbishley's Trinifold company.
A trailer for the documentary, which is apparently named after Bolan's hit "Children of the Revolution," features Willner and many of the above-listed artists speaking about it, although details on the project have been scarce (watch the trailer here). The project was first announced to Variety in in 2017 by BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch, and Willner mentioned it in a New York Times profile that same year.
While Bolan had just one major hit in the U.S. with "Bang a Gong," he and the band he led, T. Rex (earlier called Tyrannosaurus Rex), were monumental superstars in the U.K. and Europe during the early 1970s. From his early days as a "mod" fashion plate to his first albums as a hippie folksinger to his 1970 transformation into a pioneering glam rock icon, Bolan's star power and hits like "Ride a White Swan," "Bang a Gong," "Telegram Sam," "Jeepster," 20th Century Boy" and "Children of the Revolution" made him one of the biggest stars of the era.
As his hits cooled off, Bolan had his own variety show, "Marc," on the BBC, which he used to spotlight rising punk bands of the era, passing the baton to a generation he had helped to spawn. David Bowie was a longtime friend and rival - during his 1999 VH1 "Storytellers" segment, Bowie recalled receiving a snide comment about his shoes from Bolan during their first meeting in 1964, when both were enlisted to paint their then-manager's office - and the two of them performed together on "Marc" just days before Bolan's death in a car accident in October of 1977. [more] 'In My Room' With JOAN JETT from: rollingstone.com by NATALLI AMATO
Jett and the BLACKHEARTS perform "I Hate Myself for Loving You"
Rolling Stone and Gibson's week-long performance series concludes with the former Runaway and BLACKHEARTS leader, JOAN JETT. Through the partnership, fans have the opportunity to make a charitable donation to support musicians and some will take home signature guitars â€" autographed by iconic Gibson artists, including an ES-339 signed by Jett.
Friday's "In My Room" session, presented by Gibson, spotlights Jett performing the hard-rocking "I Hate Myself for Loving You," while the band members stay socially distant in their own homes.
Jett's session follows Lukas Nelson's and James Bay's, whose sets were also presented by Gibson. For more information on how you can support (or apply to) the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, visit the fund's website.
Rolling Stone's "In My Room" episodes air every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. New intimate, at home-concerts are released at 3 p.m. ET on IGTV, which can be viewed on our Instagram.
TAYLOR MOMSEN EXPOSES HER RARE 'THREESOME' PHOTO FOR THE FIRST TIME from: metalheadzone.com by Berk Uykucuoglu
The Pretty Reckless vocalist Taylor Momsen has updated her official Instagram account and revealed a rare photo of herself with singer JOAN JETT and ZZ Top guitarist/lead vocalist, Billy Gibson.
If you peep the photo, Momsen was having an awesome moment with two rock n' roll legends while performing at the stage. She has shared this unique photo to show her respect for the legendary rock musicians. She also described the picture as 'rock n' roll threesome.'
Here's what Taylor Momsen wrote:
"Rock and roll threesome JOAN JETT and Billy Gibson."
An Instagram user named leonardo_narmona commented and said:
"This is way too much perfect.. combination JJ and Billy R&R!!!"
Another fan named phil_the_jedi said:
"Was an awesome one." L7 Tap JOAN JETT for Blistering Cover of Her 1983 Track ‘Fake Friends' from: rollingstone.com by JON BLISTEIN
Grunge stalwarts L7 unveiled a new cover of JOAN JETT's 1983 track "Fake Friends," featuring guitar and vocals from none other than Jett herself.
For their rendition of "Fake Friends," L7 flattened out the boogie-tinged skip of the original and streamlined it into a snarling ripper. "Losing friends, losing friends," Donita Sparks sings, with Jett providing the harmonies, "You got nothing to lose/You don't lose when you lose fake friends."
"To have Joan's vocals on this track along with mine is super surreal and cool," Sparks said in a statement. "Our band has experienced many fake friends, especially when you're down. Some of these people you thought were your friends are nowhere to be found. Your phone calls aren't returned, etc. It's painful and it sucks. Then you find out who your true friends are."
L7 and Jett's version of "Fake Friends" serves as the A-side of a new single that boasts "Witchy Burn" on the B-side. That track is a reworking of L7's 2019 cut, "Burn Baby," from their comeback album, Scatter the Rats, which was released via Jett's BLACKHEART RECORDS. JOAN JETT To Perform On Rolling Stone' 'In My Room' Music Series from: blabbermouth.net by Blabbermouth.net
Rolling Stone and Gibson have teamed up to offer a special week-long series of music performances and give music fans the first-ever chance to make a charitable donation to support musicians worldwide and walk away with a piece of rock 'n' roll history.
Rolling Stone's "In My Room" presented by Gibson will be headlined this week with a rare special performance from rock 'n' roll icon JOAN JETT on Friday, April 24.
Tune in to watch the "In My Room" music series Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET on Rolling Stone's Instagram.
"Gibson Guitars and Rolling Stone have been partners for over fifty years, so it seems natural to take our partnership to a new creative level for our fans during this challenging time," says James "JC" Curleigh, president and CEO of Gibson. "Along with our iconic artists, we are proud to support MusiCares through our Gibson Gives movement at such a pivotal time for musicians and the music industry."
"About a month ago, we launched 'In My Room' as a way to foster greater connection between Rolling Stone fans and the artists they admire most," says Gus Wenner, president and COO of Rolling Stone. "We found the perfect partner in Gibson, who similarly believes that music brings people comfort, and provides a welcome distraction and powerful message, particularly during stressful times in our society. We're thrilled to partner with the Gibson team and three extraordinary artists to give back to the music community through MusiCares at a moment when it's needed most."
To support the music community in these uncertain times, starting Monday, April 20, Gibson Gives - the charitable arm of Gibson - and Rolling Stone will provide fans the chance to support the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund and take home an autographed artist guitar. The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund offers immediate financial assistance to musicians, production crews, music industry creators.
Arriving first at auction on CharityBuzz.com, JOAN JETT teamed with Gibson Guitars to donate an autographed, limited-edition Gibson JOAN JETT ES 339 Electric Guitar in wine red - of which only 150 were made worldwide.
Bidding for the autographed guitars will open on CharityBuzz.com on Monday, April 20 at 11:00 a.m. ET and close on Friday, May 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET. Billie Joe Armstrong, Debbie Harry, JOAN JETT Honor Punk Stylist Jimmy Webb from: billboard.com by Gil Kaufman
The punk world paid tribute to one of its favorite sons on Tuesday (April 14) following the death of New York scene stalwart Jimmy Webb, a punk stylist who reportedly died at age 62. Webb was best known for his work as a manager/buyer at the punk shop Trash & Vaudeville and as the owner of the rock clothing shop I Need More.
Though he didn't play in a band, Webb was the dresser to several generations of rock stars, outfitting and befriending everyone from Iggy Pop to members of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band and the original generation of 1970s New York punks. Rolling Stone reported that friend Heart Montalbano confirmed that Webb died of cancer.
Memorials came in from JOAN JETT, Blondie's Debbie Harry, Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan and Sebastian Bach, among many others, with JOAN JETT writing that the "St. Marks St. legend, stylist of the punks, famous and not, has passed. I'm so very sad and we'll all miss your energetic, warm soul. The city will not be the same without you." Alice Cooper, JOAN JETT to perform in televised benefit for Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund from: msn.com by Joey Morona, cleveland.com | Photo by Joshua Gunter
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Alice Cooper, JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS, and Michael Stanley are stepping up to raise money for the Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund.
They are among the artists scheduled to perform on "Cleveland Rocks: From Our Living Rooms," a benefit concert airing on Fox 8 WJW Wednesday, April 15 at 7 p.m.
The lineup includes Jason Mraz, Ben Folds with the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, Eric Nolan of the O'Jay's, Maddie Finn, and more artists performing from their homes.
50 Greater Cleveland corporate, civic and philanthropic partners teamed up to put the broadcast together.
The Greater Cleveland COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund has raised $1.68 million so far for non-profits working the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic in Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Viewers can donate at ClevelandFoundation.org/Response. Fund members will match $50,000 of the donations made during the program. The Characters with KENNY LAGUNA performing "The Wanderer" from: YouTube.com by The Characters
Video clip of KENNY LAGUNA performing "The Wanderer" with The Characters on February 6th,1999.
Kenny has been at Joan's side since the beginning and has weathered the good times and the bad. "We're very good, close friends. In the world that I live in, loyalty is one of the most important things. There's never been a thought of walking away from Joan, although I've heard it before and been advised many times to walk away. It's like this is my friend and regardless of what the business is, I'm going to stay with my friend. We have a mutual respect for one another and we've never been in competition. We both feel that the other is really the better. There's never a rivalry about who wrote what or who wrote more. Our friendship and respect is what holds it all together," says Kenny.
During this trying time, let's give thanks to the multi-talented man. One thing that is certain, regardless of where Joan's career may lead, you can be sure that her long time friend, KENNY LAGUNA will always be there for her.
KENNY LAGUNA Vocals, Danny Solazzi(vocals/rhythm guitar), Frank King (lead guitar) Craig Colandro (Bass) Mike King (drums) OC BikeFest adds JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS to lineup with Kid Rock, George Thorogood from: msn.com by Laura Benedict Sileo, Salisbury Daily Times
Ocean City entertainment may be thirsting after the cancelation of SpringFest and its music acts due to the coronavirus threat, but OC BikeFest in September hopes to quench that need.
The September motorcycle event added JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS to its lineup, organizers announced April 10. The band will take the main stage at the Inlet at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.
The weekend was already packed with rebellious spirit in the previous announcement bringing early-2000's rock sensation Kid Rock and George Thorogood & The Destroyers, best known for their rebel anthem "Bad To The Bone."
Kid Rock is set to perform at OC BikeFest at 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. George Thorogood will take the stage at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17.
Bikers from across the country gather each September at the Ocean City Inlet, where they revel in shows, music, food and drink, and paraphernalia sure to captivate any biking enthusiast.
A second motorcycle event, Delmarva Bike Week, is held in Salisbury the same weekend and adds to the draw of bikers to the region.
If you go What: OC BikeFest Where: Ocean City Inlet When: Wednesday, Sept. 16 to Sunday, Sept. 20 Info: Visit ocbikefest.com to get more information, to buy tickets, and to view the full event schedule. JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS - I Love Rock 'n' Roll from: YouTube by crachetonvenin
